This chapter considers mobility at the individual level in European countries. A considerable variation is found to exist among the mobility surveys of various countries. Some of the main mobility indicators are discussed and a table presented comparing a) the number of trips, b) distances travelled, c) travel times, d) trip purpose and e) modal distributions. Factors affecting travel behaviour are considered including a) gender, age and position in life cycle, b) access to a car, c) level of education and income, d) residential location, e) size of urban area and f) spatial distribution of activities. It is demonstrated that the effects of these factors are similar in each country with increased levels of car ownership being a particularly important factor.
Abstract