Abstract
More active use of public transit is necessary to manage various challenges of cities and communities. Even for provincial cities where car traffic dominates, it is an important issue. In this study, we focused on eco-commute by provincial city commuters as a type of mobility management for workplaces. Based on the questionnaire conducted at a company in Toyama city, we examined possible changes in the attitudes and behaviours associated with eco-commute through provision of information. We also discussed the impact of the different knowledge before the information was provided on changes in attitude. We used covariance structure analysis to examine factors that determine the attitude toward eco-commute and their causal structure. The result showed that the provision of information about advantages of eco-commute can improve the attitude toward eco-commute, and improved attitude may change behaviour. We also showed that provision of information was effective in improving attitude regardless of the level of knowledge prior to the information provision. Behind determinants and their causal structure that improved attitude toward eco-commute, there were interests in social issues, sense of ownership for environmental problems, positive attitude toward public transit, and motivation with work. Dependence on cars was a factor that led to more negative attitude. The fact that there is positive causal relationship between “motivation with work” and “attitude toward eco-commute” suggests that voluntary effort of companies to increase use of public transit could improve eco-commute and performance of the companies simultaneously.
