Modifying transport behaviour: theory, practice and politics

Course summary

This course is aimed at anyone who wishes or needs to have a better understanding of how to promote behaviour change in transport.

We know that our current travel habits have very significant downsides in terms of road safety, greenhouse gas emissions, air quality etc. We also know that these habits have on the whole proved very difficult to change.  But the pandemic has shown how adaptable people actually are. Meanwhile, practice is continuing to evolve: we are getting better at working out what does or does not have a positive impact, and why.

This timely course will provide a thorough insight into the state of the art of modifying behaviour in transport, from well-established interventions (such as speed limits) to relatively new ones (such as subsidy of active travel). It will take participants through the theory and evidence supporting the use of behaviour-change interventions and equip them with the skills to assess interventions critically and to develop them methodically.

“I really enjoyed the group sessions. This enabled us to put what we learned to the test” (course participant, 2024).

“Different guest speakers each week” (course participant, 2024).

“Tom's presentations - Engaging and interesting” (course participant, 2024).

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will typically be able to:

• Analyse policy and potential interventions in the context of transport behaviour change, experience to date and the state of the art
• Evaluate critically the interaction of behaviour change theory and practice in this area
• Have command of the challenges in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions to change transport behaviour at the individual and population levels
• Specify in outline a suitable course of action in response to a transport-behaviour issue or challenge
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a given intervention

Course structure

Topics will include:

• Context – governance of transport; the case for transport behaviour change
• The politics of transport behaviour change
• Theoretical background – principal theories relating to transport behaviour change; their application
• The "four Es" of transport behaviour change: education, economy, engineering, enforcement
• Influencing the behaviour of decision makers
• Planning, delivering and evaluating interventions

The course includes two pieces of assessed coursework: a critical evaluation of a transport behaviour-change intervention; and the development of a new behaviour-change intervention from first principles, in response to a defined transport problem or opportunity.

Our tutor

The course is led by Tom Cohen, Senior Lecturer at University of Westminster and member of the university's Active Travel Academy.  Tom has a doctorate in environmental studies and has been teaching transport for five years.  Before moving into the higher-education sector, Tom spent ten years in transport consultancy, a considerable part of which was dedicated to promoting behaviour change.

Entry requirements

You will normally have a first degree in a relevant subject, though this is not essential.

Accreditation

This course is part of University of Westminster's MSc in Transport Planning and Management. Those who successfully complete it can use the credits towards a full MSc, a Postgraduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Certificate.