How can sustainable travel become the natural choice in everyday life? Researchers at Karlstad University will explore this question in a new project.
The project applies service design and behavioural science to understand why public transport for commuting to Karlstad is underused and what factors could encourage more sustainable travel.
– We want to understand which factors influence people’s travel habits and, together, develop solutions that make public transport and other sustainable modes of transport more attractive and accessible in daily life, says Jessica Westman Trischler, senior lecturer in psychology. By analysing how aspects such as income, car ownership and access to services affect travel behaviour, the project can contribute to more inclusive and sustainable alternatives.
The research is carried out by Jessica Westman Trischler together with Lars E. Olsson, professor of psychology, and Jakob Trischler, associate professor in business administration. Together, they will map needs and barriers, analyse behaviours and motivations, and develop solutions that strengthen the role of public transport in people’s everyday lives.
The project is a collaborative effort involving users, schools and public authorities. The focus is on school journeys and everyday logistics in different school environments in Hammarö municipality.
– Our hope is that the project will lead to concrete solutions that make sustainable travel options fairer, more accessible and relevant for more people, while also strengthening collaboration and highlighting important issues around equality and the impact of different circumstances,” says Jessica Westman Trischler. The results will be shared through transition labs, networks and publications – and hopefully also serve as a basis for policy development and systemic change.
The project “Samskapa resval” is funded by Vinnova and runs until August 2027. It is led by Karlstad Municipality in collaboration with CTF, Värmlandstrafik and Hammarö Municipality.
