Does noise pollution influence modal choices? A random forest application

Area of Science:

• Urban Planning
• Environmental Science
• Transportation Science

Background:

• Modal choices are influenced by various urban factors.
• Understanding these influences is crucial for sustainable transport policies.
• Noise pollution is an understudied factor in transport mode selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between noise pollution and transport modal choices.
• To compare these relationships in two distinct urban environments: Greater London and Brisbane.
• To identify key contextual variables influencing active travel modes.

Main Methods:

• Collected data on commuting flows, noise pollution, and built environment characteristics.
• Employed random forest models for classification and variable importance analysis.
• Trained and tested models for Greater London and Brisbane to explore non-linear relationships.

Main Results:

• Noise levels significantly predict modal choices in Greater London.
• Built environment characteristics are more influential in Brisbane.
• Cycling behavior shares similarities with driving, differing from walking, in response to contextual factors.

Conclusions:

• Noise pollution and urban design significantly affect transport choices.
• Policies to promote active travel must consider specific factors influencing walking versus cycling.
• Tailored strategies are needed to encourage sustainable modal shifts.