Empirical Investigation of Socio-Demographics, Travel Modes, and Preferred Future Mobility Solutions from the Context of Urban Transportation Planning: Case Study of Western India

Abstract

Transportation impacts economic, social, and environmental on a long-term basis, making it crucial for urban sustainability. It’s observed that modern travel behaviour is changing rapidly to promote sustainable mobility solutions. Compared to developed countries, India's shift to green mobility solutions is gradual due to unique barriers. This research conducts an empirical study related to satisfaction levels of transport solutions and identifies the primary factors that influence different commuting options. Western India's socio-demographics, travel modes, and preferred future mobility solutions were quantified through data, and this study compares demography and travel behaviour for everyday work, intercity travel, leisure, and tourism. Roadways are the favoured travel mode, and this research endorses that and highlights that given a choice, the consumers value comfort and convenience over other options of like cost, time, health, and the environment. This indicates that Indians are open to shifting toward green modes like Electric Vehicles (EVs) and shared mobility but are hindered by a lack of infrastructure. This study made for Western India can serve as a benchmark for policymakers, industry, and academia for arriving at mobility solutions for other regions of the country. It can also contribute towards creating a road map for policies for future sustainable mobility in India.