Research on College Students' Travel Mode Choice Behavior Considering Peer Effect

doi:10.12141/j.issn.1000-565X.250067

Abstract

Abstract:

Investigating the behavior of college students in choosing off-campus travel mode is of great significance for enhancing the off-campus travel environment, increasing their social engagement, and further promoting their physical and mental health development. However, previous studies neglected the influence of peer groups on individual travel mode choices. To address the lack of uniform standard for defining effective peer groups among college students, this study employs a roommate relationship quality scale to identify effective peer groups. Data on off-campus travel preferences across different travel scenarios are collected via questionnaire surveys. To further explore the role of peer effects in travel behavior decision-making, we introduce a peer matrix adjusted by relationship strength based on relational quality and psychological traits, and construct multiple network econometric linear models to capture peer effects. Potential endogeneity issues were addressed though combining fixed effects and two-stage least squares, and the optimal model for identifying and measuring peer effects is determined through model evaluation. Finally, based on the model calibration results, the influence and potential mechanisms of dormitory groups on individual college students’ off-campus travel mode choice are analyzed. The results show that, compared to gene-ralized econometric models and local aggregation models, the local average model incorporating relationship strength demonstrates greater robustness in identifying and measuring peer effects. As travel distance increases and time constraints relax, the influence of peer-related behaviors on college students’ individual travel mode choices-that is, the endogenous peer effect-decreases. Factors such as peers’ monthly living expenses, number of family members, possession of a driver’s license, openness and environmental awareness have significant exogenous peer effects on individual travel mode choices. Furthermore, extroverted individuals exhibit more pronounced conformity-based peer effects compared to introverted ones, and in entertainment contexts, open-minded individuals show stronger than conservative individuals. The research extends the boundaries of relevant theories and provides empirical evidence for the targeted guidance and group-specific interventions aimed at promoting low-carbon travel among college students.

Key words: urban transportation, travel mode choice behavior, local average model, college student, peer effect

CLC Number:

U491.1

ZHANG Rui, GE Yuhan. Research on College Students' Travel Mode Choice Behavior Considering Peer Effect[J]. Journal of South China University of Technology(Natural Science Edition), 2026, 54(3): 114-126.

Figures/Tables 10

Table 1

Fig.1

Table 2

Table 3

Results of model evaluation"

检验类别	模型	短距离		中距离		长距离
检验类别	模型	休闲娱乐	个人事务	休闲娱乐	个人事务	休闲娱乐	个人事务
J检验	$Y ̂ M 1$	—	—	—	—	—	—
J检验	$Y ̂ M 2$	***	—	**	—	—	*
弱工具变量检验	$M 0$	Y&N	Y&N	Y&Y	Y&N	Y&Y	Y&N
	$M 1$	N	N	Y	N	Y	N
	$M 2$	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
过度识别约束检验	$M 0$	—	—	—	—	—	—
	$M 1$	**	—	—	*	—	—
	$M 2$	—	—	—	—	—	—
Wu-Hausman 检验	$M 0$	—	***	***	***	***	**
	$M 1$	—	**	—	***	**	—
	$M 2$	***	***	***	***	**	—

Table 3

Table 4

Table 5

Table 6

Table 7

Fig.2

Fig. 3

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变量		类别	比例/%
个人属性	性别	男	69.9
	性别	女	30.1
	专业科类	理工	92.1
		文史	6.3
		艺体	1.6
	年级	大一	24.9
		大二	24.7
		大三	23.8
		大四	26.6
	月生活费/元	<1 000	7.9
		［1 000，2 000）	77.5
		［2 000，3 000）	12.2
		≥3 000	2.4
	是否恋爱	是	31.7
	是否恋爱	否	68.3
	有无驾照	有	49.9
	有无驾照	无	50.1
	同宿舍受访人数	4	20.6
		3	46.3
		2	33.1
家庭属性	家庭规模	≤3	43.1
		［4-5］	50.4
		≥6	6.5
	家庭私家车保有量/辆	0	27.4
		1	56.9
		≥2	15.7
综合心理特质变量	外向性	［0，3.5］	34.4
	外向性	（3.5，7］	65.6
	开放性	［0，3.5］	26.8
	开放性	（3.5，7］	73.2
	健康情况	［0，3.5］	24.9
	健康情况	（3.5，7］	75.1
	环保意识	［0，3.5］	9.0
	环保意识	（3.5，7］	91.0
室友关系质量	良好	［3，4）	3.5
	非常良好	［4，5）	9.7
	较为融洽	［5，6）	41.9
	融洽	［6，7）	44.4
	非常融洽	7	0.5

潜变量	观测变量	Cronbach’ s Alpha	KMO值	P值
宿舍关系	沟通频率	0.781	0.701	0.000
	情感支持
	矛盾冲突
	彼此尊重
	共同责任感
外向性	性格外向、精力充沛	0.850
外向性	性格内向、安静	0.850
开放性	易接受新事物、常有新想法	0.720
开放性	遵循常规、不爱创新	0.720
健康情况	睡眠习惯良好	0.777
	饮食均衡健康
	喜欢参加各种体育活动

变量	短距离		中距离		长距离		样本量
变量	休闲娱乐	个人事务	休闲娱乐	个人事务	休闲娱乐	个人事务	样本量
外向型	0.901^***	—	0.542^*	1.096^***	—	0.939^***	242
内向型	0.704^***	—	0.500^*	—	—	—	127
开放型	0.899^***	—	0.727^**	0.730^**	—	0.620^**	270
保守型	0.326^*	—	—	0.862^***	—	0.942^***	99