A systematic review of mode choice behavior in urban transportation with emphasis on individual preferences and influencing factor

Understanding urban mode choice behavior is critical for designing inclusive, efficient, and sustainable public transportation systems. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of 290 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2010 and March 2025, aimed at identifying and synthesizing the key determinants that influence individuals’ decisions to use public transport. The analysis organizes these determinants into four primary domains: demographic and socio-economic attributes, trip-specific characteristics, transportation system performance, and environmental and contextual factors. Variables such as income, gender, age, education level, vehicle ownership, trip purpose, travel duration, service reliability, affordability, accessibility, and land-use patterns consistently emerge as influential. The synthesis reveals notable regional variations: in Asia, trip-related and system-level factors predominate, whereas in North America, socio-economic attributes and infrastructural conditions play a more significant role. The findings also highlight the growing relevance of emerging mobility trends, including shared transportation services, real-time transit information applications, and autonomous vehicle technologies. Despite the extensive body of literature, substantial research gaps remain, particularly in the creation of integrated frameworks that capture the interactions among demographic, infrastructural, and behavioral variables. Moreover, critical factors such as traffic congestion, weather conditions, social structures, and post-pandemic behavioral shifts are insufficiently addressed, especially in underrepresented regions such as Africa and South America. By consolidating fragmented insights from global studies, this review underscores the multidimensional and context-dependent nature of public transport mode choice. The results provide actionable guidance for policymakers and transportation planners, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive, user-centered strategies that address both regional priorities and global sustainability objectives. Through this synthesis, the study contribute a comprehensive evidence base to support informed decision-making and strategic initiatives aimed at increasing public transport ridership and advancing sustainable urban mobility.