In describing animal behaviour (ethology) normally three types of descriptions for behaviour are given: the function, mechanism, evolution and ontogeny. However, ideas on human travel behaviour are almost fully based on a functional (rational-economic) description. Therefore, people probably do not understand enough of human travel behaviour to create models for it which do give just estimates of this behaviour in case of changing circumstances or policy measures. Clear indications have been found for the hypothesis that much of the human travel behaviour has a biological base, meaning that it manifests itself without the intervention of individual rational decisions. Strong habitual behaviour may be an exponent of this. Based on an exploration of animal travel behaviour much has been learned about the biological elements of human travel behaviour. Several recommendations for further research are given, meant to strongly enhance the understanding of human travel behaviour. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206647.
Samenvatting