How Does My Train Line Run? Elicitation of Six Information-Seeking Profiles of Regular Suburban Train Users

Pascal Un, Sonia Adelé, Flore Vallet and Jean-Marie Burkhardt
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Pascal Un: IRT SystemX, Paris-Saclay, F-91120 Palaiseau, France
Sonia Adelé: IRT SystemX, Paris-Saclay, F-91120 Palaiseau, France
Flore Vallet: IRT SystemX, Paris-Saclay, F-91120 Palaiseau, France
Jean-Marie Burkhardt: LaPEA, Univ Gustave Eiffel, F-78008 Versailles, France

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: Information is at the heart of the smooth running of a public transport network and the satisfaction of its users, particularly in disrupted situations. Information is a central element for users to continue to use this mode contributing to sustainable mobility and even attracting new users. Therefore, it is essential to understand how travellers use passenger information to adjust the way it is disseminated to actual usage. This article aims to identify the sources of information used by travellers and at what moments they consult them in order to categorise passengers according to these activities. We conducted an online questionnaire on 258 regular suburban train users of a specific branch of one particular line (with the same information material in the stations). In addition to univariate descriptive analyses, the results were analysed using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Ascending Hierarchical Clustering to construct six information-seeking profiles named: Improvisers, Monitors, Planners, Circumscribed, Ultra-connected and Routinized. Based on clustering, we were able to link sociodemographic or travel characteristics to information-seeking behaviour. Differences in information acquisition and use were identified. These results suggest great information-seeking behaviour disparities and can provide interesting information to passenger transport stakeholders. The results could be further integrated into a multi-agent simulation.

Keywords: profile; traveller information; mobility application; information support; disruption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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