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4
Methodology
4.1
Used methodologies and relationship with research questions
Four methods are used in this research to answer the sub research questions (see 3.2.1 – 3.2.5): (1) surveys, (2) semi-structured interviews, (3) a focus group interview and (4) policy document analyses. The use of methods to answer sub research questions 1-5 is mentioned briefly in this paragraph and elaborated in paragraphs 4.2 – 4.6.
1. Surveys: (i) resident-survey to answer sub research questions 1 and 2 and (ii) student-survey to answer sub research question 3. The resident-survey is held on paper (door-to-door distribution) and digital. The student-survey is held digital. Data from both surveys are captured in separate datasets and processed with SPSS. An elaboration on the content of the resident- survey and student-survey can be found in paragraph 4.2. An elaboration on the use of statistical tests (i.e. Principal Component Analysis, ordinal logistic regression and K-means clustering) to answer sub research questions 1, 2 and 3 can be found in paragraph 4.3.
2. Semi-structured interviews: six interviews are held with private and public actors involved in the organization of MaaS in the Paleiskwartier. Semi-structured interviews are held to retrieve in-depth knowledge on the inclusion of societal goals in MaaS (sub research question 4) and evaluation of the process (sub research question 5). A predefined list of interview questions is used for each interview, but during the interview there is room to discuss topics that are not listed ex-ante. Interview questions are based on the topics related to sub research questions 4 and 5, retrieved from the literature (see 2.5). Interviews held lasted between 30 and 75 minutes and are all transcribed (see the Addendum). All transcriptions are coded and processed in tables to answer sub research questions 4 and 5 (see Appendix V.) Paragraph 4.4 elaborates on the content of the semi-structured interviews. Interview questions can be found in Appendix II.A. and II.B.
3. Focus group interview: an in-depth focus group interview with 15 ‘potential MaaS users’4 is held to answer sub research question 1. Factors explaining the intention to use MaaS are retrieved from statistical tests, but in-depth motivations to have a (non) intention to use MaaS are gained with the focus group interview. The focus group interview is transcribed and coded (see the Addendum and Appendix IV.) to answer sub research question 1. See paragraph 4.6 for a detailed description of the content of the focus group interview.
4. Policy document analyses: the analysis of the policy document (i.a. the PTA’s vision towards shared mobility) is used as input for the interview questions and for the reflection of answers to interview questions (see paragraph 4.6).
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4.2
Method 1: surveys
Distributing a survey is ‘… particularly useful for eliciting people’s attitudes and opinions about social, political and environmental issues … and also valuable for findings of complex behaviors.’ (Clifford et al., 2010, pp. 78). Regarding Mobility as a Service, surveys reveal information about travelers’ attitudes, expectations and motivations to use Mobility as a Service, which is in line with the factors in the micro-level of the conceptual model (see 2.7). The target groups are Paleiskwartier residents and students. Data retrieved from the resident-survey are used to answer sub research questions 1 and 2. Data retrieved from the student-survey are used to answer sub research question 3.
4.2.1 Content of the survey
The survey has the following structure:
A. Current travel behavior paragraph 4.2.2 B.1. Mobility as a Service for residents paragraph 4.2.3 B.2. Ridesharing for students paragraph 4.2.4 C. Personal characteristics paragraph 4.2.5 D. E-mail address and information about MaaS paragraph 4.2.6
4.2.2 A. Current travel behavior
The first part of the survey includes questions about the current travel behavior of respondents: • Frequencies of usage of transport modes
• Mode preference for specific trip purposes
• Possession of a driving license and PT reduction card • Important factors of choosing a specific mode
• Statements about the current infrastructure and accessibility of the neighbourhood • Frequency of smartphone usage
• Mode possession in the household
Frequencies of use of transport modes is the main indicator for modal shift due to MaaS. As been indicated in the research of Sochor et al. (2015), MaaS could lead to a shift from car use to use of public transportation. Preferences for modes to reach specific destinations is of importance to reveal if due to the introduction of MaaS there is a change in mode preferences. The possession of a driving license and PT reduction cards are both proxies for the use of car and public transportation, respectively.
Important factors to choose a specific mode reveals to what degree travellers evaluate MaaS characteristics important (i.e. high importance of flexibility, low importance of travel time and a high importance of environment-friendly travel). Statements about the current infrastructure and accessibility in the neighbourhood are asked to indicate how positive the current accessibility by transit and car, parking possibilities and cycle infrastructure are evaluated by the residents. Changes in especially the parking possibilities are opted due to the introduction of Mobility as a Service: according to Sochor et al. (2015) MaaS could lead to a reduction of car possession (and a lowered need for parking space).
The frequency of use of trip planning smartphone applications (question six) is an indication to what extent residents are used to plan their trips via apps. Since the application of MaaS in the ‘Paleiskwartier’ will be via a digital smartphone application, question six is a proxy how easy