Does perceived accessibility affect travel behavior or vice versa? Alternative theories testing bidirectional effects and (in)consistency over time

In theory, the unidirectional relationship between perception and behavior has been well established. In this line, the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel behavior has also gained traction in the transport domain. There is, however, less knowledge regarding the dynamic of bidirectional effects between these two variables and (in)consistency over time. Employing the Netherlands Mobility Panel data, we investigate the direction of the (causal) effect between perceived accessibility and travel behavior/travel preference. Using a two-wave cross-lagged panel model, we test how this theory works among urban travelers (n = 4,946). The findings show that the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel-related decisions varies depending on the transport mode and whether it is about travel behavior or preference. The effects might show bidirectionality, unidirectionality, or neither. Findings highlight that the perception-behavior theory is primarily consistent with revealed travel behavior as opposed to stated preferences. We find a bidirectional perception-(travel) behavior relationship. Unlike conventional wisdom and commonly used theoretical links, we find that travel mode use has a larger impact on perceived mode-specific accessibility than the reverse effect (the more expected link). Travel behavior also shows consistently lower levels of perception-behavior dissonance than preferences do. The study finds that perception consistently influences public transport use and preferences, unlike for cars and bicycles. Policy-wise, this implies that efforts aimed at correcting misperceptions about the accessibility of public transport could still have a positive impact on individuals’ decisions to choose public transport.