Comparing Perceptions of Transport Problems between local groups

As part of Guildford Borough ’s Surrey Scholar Project, research was undertaken into how residents, businesses and councillors viewed local transport issues and several proposals to address them. The project was undertaken in 1999, by Birgitta Gatersleben and David Uzzell.

Guildford is a medium-sized town in the South-East with personal car use 1.6 times higher than the national average. If council policies and efforts to tackle such levels of car use are to be effective and acceptable, there needs to be a common understanding of how transport issues are perceived. With this in mind, the study aimed to contrast views of residents, local businesses and the policy makers.

Surveys were delivered residents, organisations and elected officials of Guildford, examining their views on transport. Questions covered environmental, economic and social effects, and also perceptions of traffic schemes. Residents and organisations reported their willingness to reduce car use, and elected officials discussed their views on local willingness to accept traffic measures.

Results showed similarities between the 3 group’s views of local transport, though residents did view the state of transport slightly more negatively than the officials. Business and organisations saw economic activity as more important, with lower acceptability of financial disincentives and reduced car access, though agreeing that less traffic would improve Guildford. Officials saw residents as able to change but unwilling, with residents reporting a willingness to change but unable.

Copies of the reports can be found in:
Gaterselben, B. and Uzzell, D. (2004) Perceptions of car users and policy makers on the effectiveness and acceptability of car travel reduction measures: an attribution theory approach. In: Rothengatter, T. and Huguenin, R. (eds). Traffic and Transport Psychology; Theory and Practice, p. 469-480.