A Study on the Policy Orientation towards Development of Sustainable Transportation: An Application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

Development of sustainable transport infrastructures or cultural program is one of important questions of policymakers in developing countries such as Iran. The present study aimed to answer this question by collecting data of environmental norms (norm-activation model) and built environment characteristics in an Iranian setting. More than 1000 forms were distributed among households in Rasht. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothetical relationships between latent factors and sustainable mode choice. The model showed a good fit (Χ²/df=2.87, p< 0.001, RMSEA= 0.057, GFI= 0.90). Findings indicated where the regions lack safe and integrated sustainable infrastructure, cultural program is not an efficient policy for changing mode choice travel behavior. In these regions, development of sustainable transport modes is preferred policy for reducing car use. To increase the share of sustainable travel modes policymakers could facilitate walking and bicycling infrastructures. Furthermore, initiatives targeted to increase the accessibility level of households to public transportation may also hold promise.