Structural equation modeling of public transport use with COVID-19 precautions: An extension of the norm activation model

Muhammad Ashraf Javid; Muhammad Abdullah; Nazam Ali; Charitha Dias

doi:10.1016/j.trip.2021.100474

Structural equation modeling of public transport use with COVID-19 precautions: An extension of the norm activation model

Transp Res Interdiscip Perspect. 2021 Dec:12:100474. doi: 10.1016/j.trip.2021.100474. Epub 2021 Oct 4.

Authors

Muhammad Ashraf Javid¹, Muhammad Abdullah², Nazam Ali³, Charitha Dias⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertiliser Research, Faisalabad.
² Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, Lahore 54770, Pakistan.
³ Department of Civil Engineering, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan.
⁴ Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, P.O.Box. 2713, Doha, Qatar.

Abstract

This study aims to identify the travelers' attitudes and preferences towards the use of public transport during COVID-19 through the Norm-Activation Model (NAM). A questionnaire survey was designed to assess the traveler's awareness, sense of responsibility, and moral obligations to comply with safety norms or guidelines while using public transport in Lahore, Pakistan. The Structural Equation Modeling method was applied to analyze the collected 1516 complete responses. The survey results and measurement equations confirmed the association between observed and corresponding latent variables. The results of SEM revealed that the travelers' Awareness of Consequences (AC) and Ascription of Responsibility (AR) are positively correlated with Personal Norms (PN), whereas attitudes towards public transport are negatively related to the PN. The perceived behavioral control (PBC) and PN have negative structural correlations with public transport use. However, the attitudes towards public transport are strong predictors of travelers' behavior towards public transport. The current motorcycle users and high-income people have low preferences, whereas current users of public transport modes and middle-income people have high preferences to choose public transport during a pandemic. The travelers' perceived difficulty of complying with safety guidelines while traveling, such as wearing a facemask, use of sanitizers, and maintaining a social distance, have a significant impact on their public transport use. The travelers' better awareness, responsibility, and trust in using public transport may have a strong influence on their preferences towards public transport during a pandemic situation.

Keywords: COVID-19; Norm activation model; Pakistan; Public transport; Travel behavior; Travelers’ attitudes.