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Using behavioral economics to optimize safer undergraduate late-night transportation
Brett W Gelino1, Madison E Graham1, Justin C Strickland2
1Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|November 7, 2023
Summary
University-sponsored safe rides reduce alcohol risks for students, but only if wait times are short. Beyond 30 minutes, students prefer other options, highlighting a critical threshold for student safety.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Transportation Studies
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Universities offer transit services to mitigate alcohol-related risks among students.
- Effective transit services must align with student preferences and needs.
- Understanding student choices is crucial for optimizing late-night transportation safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze student preferences for university-sponsored safe rides versus alternatives.
- To identify the optimal delay threshold for free, safe transit services.
- To inform policy for enhancing undergraduate student safety during late-night activities.
Main Methods:
- A simulated choice experiment was conducted with university students.
- Participants chose between a free university-sponsored safe option, a paid rideshare, or a free unsafe option.
- Behavioral-economic nonlinear models analyzed choice data based on delay and cost.
Main Results:
- Students preferred the free, safe transit option when wait times were minimal.
- Preference shifted to paid rideshares or immediate unsafe options as delays exceeded 30 minutes.
- Choice models demonstrated sensitivity to factors like wait time and preceding activities.
Conclusions:
- A 30-minute delay represents a critical threshold for the effectiveness of free, safe transit services.
- University transit services need to adapt to student needs regarding wait times to ensure safety.
- Data-driven insights can guide policy to better protect students from alcohol-induced risks.
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