Travel behaviour - especially car use - is of concern because it contributes toudenvironmental problems such as climate change. Focusing on commuting, this thesisudaimed to explain people's travel mode decisions and what might motivate drivers toudswitch modes. The literature shows that - as in the wider field of environmentallysignificantudbehaviour - Schwartz's norm-activation theory (NAT) and Ajzen's theory ofudplanned behaviour (TPB) are predominant in travel psychology. Research undertakenudfor this thesis was based on these theories.udStudy 1 used logistic regression (n = 312) to test NAT and the TPB's ability toudexplain drivers' intentions to maintain or reduce their car use for commuting to DeudMontfort University (DMU). A model using variables from both theories was also tested,udas was a model that added contextual variables to these psychological constructs. Theudmodel including contextual variables had the greatest predictive power (shown by Rludvalues). There were interactions between several predictor variables. Most notably, theudinfluence of altruistic (pro-environmental) motives on intentions was moderated byudperceived control over commuting mode choice and by contextual factors includingudbicycle ownership, carriage of passengers and journey time.udIn study 2,24 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with commuters to DMU.udUsing discourse analytic techniques, the prevalent stances on car use and use of otherudmodes for travel to work were identified. Many echoed NAT and TPB constructs (e.g.udmoral motives, perceived control over modal choice), underlining these theories'udapplicability to commuting. However, other stances were also evident, most notablyudaffective motives and habits as reasons for commuting mode decisions. People drewudon various combinations of these discourses to explain their commuting behaviour.udThe thesis proposes a new model of commuting mode choice and suggests guidelinesudfor interventions designed to encourage drivers to use alternative modes. However, it isudstressed that reliance on attitude-behaviour research alone may ignore wider socioculturaludinfluences on travel behaviour. Suggestions are made regarding theoreticaludperspectives and methods that may help in understanding these forces and a case isudmade for mixed-method research as the way ahead for travel psychology.
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