4 CAR USE
4.1 Car users & non car users
There is little difference in the numbers of men and women driving to work, but car use does increase with age and seniority and part-time respondents are more likely to travel by car than full-time respondents. Car users are also less likely to be amongst the '20% most environmentally active' respondents, than non car users.
Table 3 Demographic profile of car users/non car users
Demographics | Total number of respondents | Car users | Non car users |
|---|
% | % |
|---|
Male | 941 | 44 | 56 |
|---|
Female | 923 | 43 | 57 |
|---|
16 - 25 years | 153 | 24 | 77 |
|---|
26 - 35 years | 474 | 33 | 67 |
|---|
36 - 45 years | 552 | 46 | 54 |
|---|
46 - 55 years | 502 | 53 | 47 |
|---|
56+ years | 180 | 52 | 48 |
|---|
A band | 511 | 40 | 61 |
|---|
B band | 922 | 44 | 56 |
|---|
C band | 252 | 46 | 54 |
|---|
SCS | 52 | 50 | 50 |
|---|
Other | 124 | 48 | 52 |
|---|
Full-time | 1662 | 42 | 58 |
|---|
Part-time | 204 | 52 | 48 |
|---|
20% Most Environmentally Active | 195 | 41 | 59 |
|---|
See section 4.5 for further discussion of car users/non car users and their attitudes towards the environment.
4.2 Car sharing
Nine out of ten (90%) of those who normally travel to work by car are car drivers rather than car passengers. Nearly three quarters (74%) of those who use car as their main mode of transport to work, travel alone in their cars, while one in five (22%) share with one other and the remaining respondents (5%) travel with 3 or 4 people in the car. Single occupancy car travel is highest at Pentland House (81%) and Saughton House (76%) and lowest at Meridian Court (55%).
None of the discussion group participants currently car share, although a few had in the past. Respondents (car users and non car users) emphasised the importance of offering an incentive to potential car sharers, such as a guaranteed car parking space. They also stressed the importance of providing clear details of any proposed scheme, including the following:
- Car insurance guidance
- Guidance on sharing of petrol costs
- An effective method of finding someone to travel with (similar routes, similar times)
- Effective publicising of the scheme
A few discussion group participants indicate an interest in car sharing, mainly due to the cost benefits, but the majority feel that car sharing is not really compatible with their flexible working pattern. They feel it might be difficult to find someone who wants to work the same hours and comment that car sharing would diminish their ability to be choose when they start and finish work.
It could be if you're car sharing you get a parking space. Give people a benefit to doing it, rather than just expecting people to do it. Edinburgh public transport user/walker
It needs to be publicised more and given a higher profile. Saughton House car user
I think the flexible working practices that people now have makes car sharing more difficult actually. Saughton House car user
4.3 Reasons for travelling to work by car
As the table below indicates, respondents have many reasons for travelling to work by car, but the main reasons for doing so are that 'public transport takes too long', 'there is no direct public transport' or because of the 'flexibility or convenience of car'.
Table 4 All factors/most important single factor in your decision to travel by car today (Q4 & 5)
| Q4
All factors | Q5
Most important factor |
|---|
Unweighted total | 901 | 901 |
|---|
Weighted total | 2118 | 2118 |
|---|
% | % |
|---|
Public transport takes too long | 64 | 22 |
|---|
No direct route by public transport | 45 | 13 |
|---|
Flexibility or convenience of car | 63 | 12 |
|---|
You were dropping a child at school or nursery | 15 | 8 |
|---|
You need the car to travel elsewhere | 24 | 8 |
|---|
Public transport too unreliable or infrequent | 32 | 5 |
|---|
Public transport is too expensive | 16 | 4 |
|---|
Working long or non-core hours | 18 | 4 |
|---|
Own a car - might as well use it | 19 | 4 |
|---|
Public transport is unavailable | 8 | 3 |
|---|
Distance to work | 31 | 3 |
|---|
You have a disability | 3 | 2 |
|---|
You were car-sharing | 9 | 2 |
|---|
Availability of car parking at or near work | 33 | 2 |
|---|
Public transport overcrowded or uncomfortable | 25 | 2 |
|---|
Public transport is not within walking distance | 13 | 1 |
|---|
You were carrying a heavy load | 5 | 1 |
|---|
Weather | 15 | 1 |
|---|
Safety reasons | 5 | 0 |
|---|
Other | 5 | 4 |
|---|
Not stated | 0 | 0 |
|---|
Similar reasons for car use are most prominent amongst discussion group participants. In some cases respondents feel that driving is really the only option they would consider due to time. Many are sufficiently reluctant to travel by other means that they would take the day off work if their car was at the garage. Others would home-work or hot-desk at an office closer to home, if their car was unavailable, while some would use public transport, but consider this only acceptable as a 'one-off'. Such comments suggest that these car users would not easily be easily dissuaded from driving to work.
To do a similar journey on public transport would take me well over an hour, probably an hour and a half, so to get here in half an hour, I don't see why I should travel any other way. Saughton House car user
My car goes in for a service I take the day off. Victoria Quay car user
4.4 Reasons that some car owners travel to work by other means
Of the 57% who do not use car as their main mode of transport to work, over half (55%) have access to a car. Two in five (39%) of these respondents choose not to use their cars because 'traffic is too congested to drive to work' or 'alternative methods are quicker or more convenient'. Respondents also choose from a wide range of other reasons for not travelling to work by car (see table below).
Table 5 Reasons for not using a car
Q7 If you do have access to a car, for what reason(s) did you not use this to travel to work today?
Unweighted total | 678 |
|---|
Weighted total | 1,635 |
|---|
% |
|---|
Traffic is too congested to drive to work | 39 |
|---|
Alternative methods are quicker/more convenient | 39 |
|---|
It is too difficult to find somewhere to park | 38 |
|---|
Lack of car parking at work | 34 |
|---|
Environmental considerations | 33 |
|---|
Cost of parking | 31 |
|---|
Exercise or health reasons | 29 |
|---|
Other family member uses the car | 24 |
|---|
Short journey to work | 24 |
|---|
Alternative methods are less expensive | 19 |
|---|
Only have access to the car outside of work hours | 2 |
|---|
Other | 11 |
|---|
Not Stated | 0 |
|---|
Although a third (33%) of non car users with access to a car state that 'environmental considerations' are one of the reasons that they do not drive to work, evidence from the discussion groups suggests that this factor is low in their list of priorities. Out of those discussion group respondents who use public transport, walk or cycle, the majority state that time, convenience, cost and/or enjoyment are more important than the environment in determining their travel choice. This emphasis on time and convenience mirrors the main motivations behind car use.
We've got bus lanes, so it's faster and easier. I wasn't even thinking of the environment! Glasgow public transport user/walker
It's just because I like walking more than anything. Obviously, [the environment] does feature a little bit, but only a small bit. Edinburgh walker
4.5 Car users/non car users and the environment
Concern for the environment varies amongst discussion group car users, but in general does not determine travel choice, even though they may be environmentally active in other areas of their lives (see Appendix B: Topline Findings Q26). Some respondents feel guilty, but choose to travel by car due to time, while others are simply not interested in environmental issues.
I have very strong feelings that I should not be taking my car .. I feel really quite guilty .. It appals me that I drive, but I have twenty four hours in the day and it's not enough as it is! Victoria Quay car user
I don't feel guilty at all. I don't think about what effect it has. I know that's not very pc, but I don't. Victoria Quay car user
Car users are generally aware of the issue of carbon emissions and some have chosen to drive smaller cars, but for most, this is because they're easier to manoeuvre or more fuel efficient, not because they cost the environment less. Others choose their cars mainly because of comfort or security.
I went down to a smaller car, because it's easier to manoeuvre yourself around. The fact it had a smaller engine and therefore reduced emissions were happy side effects for me. Saughton House car user
I wouldn't be studying emission levels or anything like that I must confess. It's more to do I suppose with the cost .. We've got a one litre car for exactly that reason, because it's cheaper to run and it's cheaper road tax. Victoria Quay car user