Browsing by Author "Williamson D"

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Engaging publics in the transition to smart mobilities
(Springer, 2023-06-09) Lampkin S; Barr S; Williamson D; Dawkins L
Commercial and public sector interests surrounding technological developments are promoting a widespread transition to autonomous vehicles, intelligent transportation systems and smart phone communications in everyday life, as part of the smart mobility agenda. There is, however, inadequate understanding about the impact of such a shift on potential users, their readiness to engage and their vision of transportation systems for the future. This paper presents the findings from a series of citizen panels, as part of a 2-year project based in south-west England, focusing on in-depth discussions regarding the future of commuting, the flow of the daily commute and the inclusion of publics in smart mobility planning. The paper makes three key propositions for researchers: enabling publics should lead to a visionary evolution in the development of sustainable transportation systems; commercial interests, public bodies and IT innovators must employ a holistic approach to mobility flows; and, processes engaging publics need to be inclusive when co-creating solutions in the transition to smart mobilities.
‘I feel the weather and you just know’. Narrating the dynamics of commuter mobility choices
(Elsevier B.V., 2022-07-18) Barr S; Lampkin S; Dawkins L; Williamson D
Efforts to promote travel behaviour change have frequently deployed social marketing strategies that are based on characterising populations into discrete target groups through quantitative segmentation techniques. Such techniques provide an important basis for understanding behavioural choices and motivations, frequently using psychological constructs that can be used for planning interventions. However, there are limitations to what a solely quantitative approach can offer practitioners in terms of understanding the dynamics of travel behaviour and the meanings associated with personal mobility that can be used to design appropriate interventions. In this paper we provide evidence to argue for a mixed-methods approach, where insights from quantitative segmentation and qualitative data can be used to reveal the experiential nature of factors that influence travel decision making. To pursue this argument we present findings from research with commuters in the city of Exeter, South West England. Using data from five workshops, we illustrate the ways in which participants articulated and gave meaning to a series of travel mode influences identified using quantitative segmentation techniques for specific commuter groups (private car, public transport, walking, cycling and a combination of modes). We demonstrate how both understanding the dynamism of travel behaviour and revealing its meanings can present opportunities for designing interventions, offering pathways to promote shifts away from carbon intensive transport.