The Determinants of Transportation Mode Choice in the Middle Eastern Cities: the Kerman Case, Iran

Hamid Soltanzadeh; Houshmand E. Masoumi

doi:10.6092/1970-9870/2518

Hamid Soltanzadeh Center for Technology and Society, Technical University of Berlin
Houshmand E. Masoumi Center for Technology and Society, Technical University of Berlin

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/1970-9870/2518

Keywords: Sustainable mobility, urban transportation planning, transportation mode choice, The Middle East, Iran.

Abstract

Having a precise understanding of the determinants of transportation mode choices and decisions can be under the influence of regional and cultural aspects. This paper outlines such determinants in the Iranian city of Kerman as a representative of the similar Middle Eastern cities located in hot-arid climates and Moslem cultures. The descriptive analysis of the results derived from a short survey that was a part of a larger study conducted in the second half of 2013 indicated that adding to accessibility to public transportation and the convenience of using it can persuade people to shift from car driving to public transit use. The main barriers to bicycling are socio-cultural aspects, while for walking the obstacles are physical and objective. Increasing the quality of pedestrian infrastructure and spaces is a stronger deterrent than personal attitudes against walking. Such findings show slight dissimilarities from the results of some of the western studies that find the built environment more effective. These findings can be a general guide for the Middle Eastern planners to promote walking, biking, and public transport use.

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Author Biographies

Hamid Soltanzadeh, Center for Technology and Society, Technical University of Berlin

Hamid Soltanzadeh holds M. Sc. in urban management from Technical University of Berlin. His research area includes urban transformations and travel behavior. He acquired part of his research in Center for Technology and Society at Technical University of Berlin. Prior to enrollment in his masters, he obtained his Bachelor degree in “Civil Engineering” and worked in several international construction companies in practical field regarding green structural buildings with sustainability approach.

Houshmand E. Masoumi, Center for Technology and Society, Technical University of Berlin

Houshmand E. Masoumi is senior researcher in Center for Technology and Society, Technical University of Berlin, where he did a postdoc research on the interactions of land use on urban trips in Iranian cities. He holds PhD in urban planning and development from Technical University of Dortmund. His research interests include the effects of urban transformations on travel behavior, walkable neighborhoods, traditional urban form, and sustainable transportation.

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