Exploring mobility justice: The interplay between mobility behaviour and public participation

Abstract

The sustainable transformation of the mobility sector suggests promoting multimodal mobility behaviour, integrating public transport with active (and shared) modes of transportation. Equally important is the role of public participation in shaping these mobility solutions. This exploratory study examines the empirical interplay between involvement in participatory processes, socio-demographics, and individual mobility behaviour, framed through the lens of mobility justice, encompassing distributive, deliberative, and procedural justice. The study addresses three key questions: (1) How does individual involvement in public participation relate to mobility profiles? (2) What inter-individual differences emerge based on sociodemographic and vulnerability factors? (3) What are the implications from a mobility justice perspective? Using survey data from 2,506 respondents, the analysis employs statistical testing and regression modelling to identify determinants of mobility profiles in terms of travel frequency by different modes of transport. The findings reveal that frequent users of shared mobility are more likely to engage in participation processes, both historically and in the future. Furthermore, prior participation significantly predicts future willingness to engage. The results lead to two critical conclusions: (a) frequent shared mobility users' participation aligns with the idea that 'sharing is caring', and (b) the unequal representation of mobility profiles in participatory formats risks perpetuating and exacerbating mobility injustices. Researchers and practitioners must account for diverse forms of vulnerability to harness the democratic and sustainable potential of participatory processes. This approach ensures inclusive expertise from citizens while avoiding the overrepresentation of already privileged groups.