Determining factors to use urban rail transport in greater Kuala Lumpur: A behavioral framework

Kalhoro, Maryam (2023) Determining factors to use urban rail transport in greater Kuala Lumpur: A behavioral framework. PhD thesis, UTAR.

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Abstract

Greater Kuala Lumpur is experiencing significant urbanization, resulting in increased road congestion and air pollution. The study's focus on urban rail transport usage is crucial to improve traffic congestion and reduce vehicle emissions, ultimately improving air quality and public health. As cities expand, promoting sustainable modes of transportation becomes imperative. City rail systems are generally more environmentally friendly than private vehicles, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and aligning with sustainable urban mobility goals. Urban rail systems encourage compact and efficient urban development, limiting the environmental impact associated with urban spread. Effective urban rail systems can boost economic activities by improving accessibility and reducing transportation costs for citizens. Understanding the factors that influence city rail transport usage can help optimize these economic benefits. By delving into the factors influencing people's decisions to use or not use urban rail transport, the study could provide valuable behavioral insights. These insights can inform targeted interventions and policies to encourage greater adoption of sustainable transportation options. Previous studies have explored this topic, especially considering the global emphasis on sustainable transportation solutions. Researchers often investigate factors such as convenience, accessibility, cost, and attitudes toward public transportation. However, this research addresses the gap by unraveling the complexities of urban rail transit usage within Greater Kuala Lumpur. Building on the foundation of existing literature and recognizing the uniqueness of the local context, this study is driven by the question: "What are the determinants influencing public behavior towards urban rail transport usage in Malaysia, and how do they collectively contribute to a sustainable transportation framework?". The city rail transport usage such as the LRT (Light Rail Transit), MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), and KTM Komuter could reduce Green House Gases emissions in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this present reign of climate change, health and environmental issues need efficient planning to ensure mobility and service quality to satisfy the passengers for higher usage. The study aims to delve into the elaborate relationship among different variables i.e., attitude (AT), subjective norm (SN), behavioral intention (BI), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) with city rail transport usage (USE), customer satisfaction, environment concern (EC), health concern (HC) and social concern (SC) that shape individuals' decisions to use or not use urban rail transit systems in the Malaysian context. While urban rail transit usage and its determinants have been explored to some extent in various regions, the unique socio-cultural, economic, and geographical factors specific to Malaysia have likely created a distinct landscape for public transportation usage. By focusing on Malaysia's context, this research seeks to uncover insights that might not have been extensively addressed in previous studies. It aims to identify the critical determinants that either encourage or hinder people from utilizing urban rail transit systems in Greater Kuala Lumpur, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay of factors shaping public transportation behavior in the region. The goal is to provide actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and transportation authorities to optimize urban rail systems, enhance their accessibility and attractiveness, and potentially drive a positive shift towards sustainable and efficient transportation choices. A comprehensive research methodology was employed to gather primary data through a closed-ended questionnaire from a diverse urban commuter sample i.e., the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan. The sample size of 729 participants was thoughtfully selected through convenient sampling method to ensure broad representation of Greater Kuala Lumpur. The demographic analysis, facilitated by SPSS version 22-0 and for the measurement model analysis and path coefficient, Smart-PLS software was used, explores relationships between key variables and user behavior towards urban rail transit. Key findings from the analysis suggest that all the variables, i.e., EC, HC, AT, SC, PBC, and BI, positively correlate with user behavior. Whereas SN has neither a direct nor indirect relationship with user behavior, and customer satisfaction does not moderate the relationship of BI and USE, play pivotal roles in shaping public behavior towards urban rail transit usage. These insights, when considered alongside the local dynamics, offer novel pathways to encourage sustainable rail transport strategies in Greater Kuala Lumpur. In essence, this study not only contributes to academic literature but also provides tangible recommendations for policymakers and urban planners seeking to enhance city rail transit usage. Through a carefully constructed framework, it illuminates the interplay of factors that motivate public behavior towards sustainable transportation choices, ultimately fostering a greener and more efficient urban landscape. Furthermore, this study concludes that environmentally friendly behaviors can positively promote city rail transit usage. City rail transport usage also has multiple positive effects, directly improving regional environmental quality, health, and economy in Malaysia.

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