Car ownership remains a key determinant of mode choice, shaping daily mobility patterns. In response, many cities are investing substantial resources in sustainable transport systems to reduce dependence on private cars. But do these improvements in mobility services and infrastructure actually lead to lower car ownership, or at least slow its growth?
This research investigates the evolution of key indicators related to private car access, such as driving license ownership, household car ownership, and access-to-car ratios (the ratio of driving licenses to cars). A range of methodologies is employed to analyze trends, with a particular focus on aggregate trend analysis and the estimation of a difference-in-differences model. This model is applied to zones where significant enhancements to sustainable transportation systems have been implemented.
The findings provide insights into whether such changes have measurable impacts on car dependency. By addressing this critical question, the study contributes to understanding how sustainable mobility strategies influence broader transportation behaviors and supports decision-makers in designing effective policies to promote sustainable urban mobility.
