Modal choice in swiss agglomerations: Geneva, Lausanne, Bern and Yverdon-les-Bains

This project aims to identify potentials for modal shift towards public transport and non-motorised modes in the urban areas of Geneva, Lausanne and Bern.

Seventeen years after a first study carried out in these same cities, the study will investigate the evolution of demand and the effects of the significant improvements that have occurred on the supply side regarding transport modes alternative to the private car. Have these investments actually modified attitudes and behaviour around the different transportation modes?

A typology of the different motives, opinions and stances towards mobility that drive modal choice will thus be established. In addition, and for the first time, a longitudinal comparison will be established between the first study and the present study, in order to grasp the changes wrought by public action, namely the extension of the offer, towards changes in behavior and perceptions of the different modes.

The present study will also focus more closely on active modes (namely cycling), since these have been markedly on the rise since 2000 and their encouragement is actively pursued within the framework of the Scheme of the Agglomerations Projects launched by the Swiss Confederation.

In this study and for the first time as well, the medium-sized town of Yverdon-les-Bains (Canton Vaud) will also be investigated. Indeed, this kind of urban unit faces increasing challenges regarding transport and mobility. Thus the methodology has been adapted for a better fitting of this urban scale.

This study, conducted jointly with the Observatoire Universitaire de la Mobilité at the University of Geneva, was commissioned by the Canton of Geneva, Transports Publics Genevois (TPG), Canton of Vaud, Transports Publics de la Région Lausannoise (TL), and the City of Lausanne.

Principal investigator Prof. Vincent Kaufmann
Project manager Sébastien Munafò
Sponsors State of Geneva, State of Vaud, TL, TPG, City of Lausanne, City of Yverdon-les-Bains
Period 2011-2012 (15 months)
Laboratory LASUR
Academic collaboration UNIGE / OUM
Collaboration TRACE