Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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Topography
Topography, an important factor as with this factor comes the relative energy required
for the traveling distance to be made. The energy required for the cars and motor cycle
is easy no work has to be done by person so we choose a mechanical tool as a transport.
In the same distance would be on a plane surface we would have taken a walk or cycle
to the destination. So topography is an important factor effecting our decision while we
choose our transport.
Safety
Security is an important issue to look at while we travel. As for the car is concern, it is
safer if the availability of the mode at our disposal is considered. It is next to our home
and parked nearest to our destination. But if on road safety is concern the car
passengers are more prone to accidents than any other mode of transport. It is just
opposite in the case of public transport like bus and subways etc.
Perceived Accessibility
For every distance there are 2 factors associated with it. One is the physical distance
that is the actual measurable distance between places and the other is the perceived
distance or the mental distance generated by our mind. In the second case minds place
an important role. It is the condition of our mind which makes us realize the distance
between places is more or less. It is the mind which generates the conditions which may
even be hypothetical and with these conditions our minds automatically creates an
inaccurate positioning of the place. This factor may depend of the state of mind i.e.
fatigues and the free state of mind.
Privacy
In the modern lifestyle there is an important place of relationships in human life. But
these relations have different scale of privacy for each person. Depending on the scale
people tend to choose the mode of transport when they are travelling with which person.
Some people may totally disagree as for if this is a factor governing our choice of mode
of transport. But it would be easier to understand this factor if we put the reason for
travel and the companion for the travel together. This reason may not be that important
as it is generally taken over by the other factors.
Status
As far as this factor is concern we all will disagree with it. But we all know that
somewhere in our hearts we all think of our economic and social status in the society we
live in. Actually it can be said that this is the factor which gives rise to the competition
factor between the people or the societies or communities. The same goes to the
transportation we use. As we can see the no. of car users goes up with the monthly
household income. The pattern between the money earned within each household and
the number of private ownership of automobiles increases with high income (Fig.1). So
can we say that if people are not paid that much they might turn back to the public
transport, as they can’t afford the private car?
