Mind the Gap: A Comparative Study of Low-Car Policy Acceptance

Abstract

The introduction or even consideration of low-car interventions may spark a heated debate amongst residents as well as between local authorities and residents. We investigate residents’ and stakeholders’ views towards different types of low-car city interventions, using Amsterdam as a case study. We compile a list of 28 low-car measures and identify the most and least favorable measures. In particular, we conduct a comparative analysis thereby contrasting the residents’ own views, stakeholders’ own views as representatives of their organization and stakeholders’ expectations of the residents’ views. Exploratory factor analysis is employed as a data reduction technique, followed by the application of a latent class cluster analysis, which reveals three clusters of Amsterdam residents which can be broadly labelled as supporters, skeptics and the ones with mixed attitude towards the low-car concept. Moreover, our findings show that stakeholders tend to express more support than residents towards low-car policy interventions as well as often over-estimate residents’ support, highlighting the need for improving bi-directional communication.

Keywords: low-car city, urban mobility, public acceptance, policy measures, latent class cluster analysis