Citation

Kamargianni M, Polydoropoulou A, Goulias KG. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 2012; 48: 3635-3650.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.1326

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Significant differences in activity and travel patterns are found in this paper among teenagers in three different urban environments in Greece. Using a sample of 364 high-school students, aged from 12 to 18 years old, representing different urban and rural geographic areas and through personal interviews at schools and via a web questionnaire, teenagers state of engaging in simpler tours in the morning (Home-School-Home) and more complex activity chains in the afternoon, since the vast majority participates in outdoor activities. Seventeen (17) different travel patterns were identified for the morning activities and forty three (43) for the after-school activities. Due to the limited public transport availability in rural areas, teenagers tend to utilize motorcycles with the consent of their parents, even if they are unlicensed. Moreover, model estimations regarding mode choice show that parental caregiving and attitudes towards active transport and environmental protection affect mode choice behavior. Recommended policy actions include improvements in public transportation services; identification of safer routes for after school activities (e.g., sports and leisure); and development of educational programs for parents and kids promoting active transportation.