Assessing Factors Influencing Transportation Choices in Taiwan

In 1997, the Swedish Parliament adopted Vision Zero, an ambitious traffic safety initiative aiming for zero fatalities or serious injuries within the road transportation system. This approach explicitly states that system designers are ultimately responsible for the design, management, and use of the road transport system, sharing responsibility for its overall safety. Road users are expected to adhere to the rules established by these designers. If users fail to comply due to lack of knowledge, acceptance, or ability, or if injuries occur, system designers must implement additional measures to prevent fatalities or serious injuries (Fahlquist, 2006).In recent years, traffic safety has become a key selling point, leading to a shift towards safety-driven development in the market. Car manufacturers now compete for top safety scores, and consumers base their purchasing decisions on these ratings. Public transportation by train or bus is generally safer than travel by car, and increasing public use of these modes can enhance overall safety, even if this improvement is not always reflected in the fatalities per mile driven. A U.S. national survey revealed that over 80 percent of respondents believe accidents are preventable, though fewer see them as predictable or under human control (Girasek, 2015). Despite road traffic injuries being a major cause of death for many years, the WHO emphasizes that most traffic incidents are both predictable and preventable (WHO, 2015). Similarly, the CDC recognizes 'improved global road safety' as a significant public health achievement (CDC, 2011).In Taiwan, a 2022 survey on public transportation usage revealed that the market share for public transportation was 14.3%, down from 16.0% in 2020, a decrease of 1.7%. The market share for private motor vehicles remained steady at 72.3%, while non-motorized vehicles (including walking, cycling, and electric scooters) reached a historical high of 13.4%, up 1.7% from 2020, with walking alone increasing by 1.5%. Among the various modes of transportation used for daily trips in 2022, motorcycles ranked highest (45.8%), followed by private cars (25.0%), walking (10.0%), bus services (6.0%), and rail transport (5.5%).To promote traffic safety, the Taiwanese government has introduced several policies to encourage the use of public transportation, but these efforts have been largely ineffective. Approximately 70% of the population still relies on private transportation as their primary mode of travel. This study aims to explore the critical factors influencing individuals' choices of transportation modes through a quantitative questionnaire survey. The study will use rating scales to assess users' perceptions of various transportation modes and traffic safety, considering factors such as practicality, convenience, cost, environmental impact, safety, and speed/time. At least 300 valid questionnaires will be collected for statistical analysis. The results are expected to provide preliminary insights into the key factors influencing transportation mode choices. Based on these findings, the study will offer recommendations to relevant authorities to improve public transportation service design, aiming to better meet travelers' needs and effectively change their transportation choices, thereby enhancing traffic safety.