Travel behaviour changes among young adults and associated implications for social sustainability

Travel behaviour changes among today’s young adults in relation to important life events, and associated implications for environmental sustainability have been discussed in recent studies. However, the social implications of their travel behaviour changes remain less explored. Applying latent transition analysis on longitudinal data collected in 2019 and 2022, we examined travel behaviour changes among young adults in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Canada in response to two life events- start of employment after completion of education and residential relocation and explored their social sustainability-related implications in terms of potential transportation-related social exclusion. Young adults showed a higher probability of becoming car users in 2022, however, those who joined workforce and relocated to urban areas were more likely to become transit users and active modes users. Young adults who switched away from active modes to public transit participated in fewer activities and were more likely to experience transportation-related social exclusion. Implications for transportation planning and policy have been discussed.