Call for papers: New paths for travel behaviour change analysis, extending the time axis and social scope

Triggers and motivations of behavioural change have been a subject of research for at least a couple of decades. Many travel behaviour change studies, however, are [either based on a cross-sectional study or] based on short-term before-and-after experiments or observations. There are a number of reasons why it is important to understand the evolution of decisions and travel patterns in a longer term with longitudinal/panel datasets: Firstly, each individual has a unique behavioural change process with continuously developing rationales, weighing of arguments, shifting attitudes and emotions, and negotiations with close alters. Panel data allow researchers to capture these processes and explore the reciprocal (causal) effects between various psychological concepts and behaviour over time. Secondly, anticipations of change may be evident even in 'before' observations (lead effects), implying that there is no pre-defined 'point zero' where the behaviour change has not yet started. Thirdly, much of the travel behaviour change literature treats individuals as if they acted in isolation from others, while any human behaviour is embedded in households and wider social networks. Addressing these points in transport studies is particular important in this time of many uncertainties. This special issue focuses on dynamic and longitudinal analyses which can help us to identify the trigger(s) that lead to a profound, transformative behaviour change beyond what we can see with our traditional approaches.

Important dates:
Spring 2025 Call for papers
October 31 2025 Deadline for paper submissions
Autumn 2025 Full paper review process
End of 2025 Second round review
Spring 2026 Special issue completion