Digital traveler : the use of modern information technologies in passenger transport

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the article is to learn about the behavior of travelers in the use of modern technologies in transport in the context of changes in the environment. The answer was sought whether travelers use modern technologies in passenger transport, and if not, do they intend to use them?

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was conducted in January 2022 using the CAWI method on a representative nationwide, random-quota sample of N = 1,129 adult residents of Poland aged 15 to 60, where the total amounts were selected according to the representation in the population of Poles for the variables sex, age, size place of residence. In other words, the sample was divided into 50 strata resulting from the intersection of categories within variables 2 (gender), 5 (age), 5 (size of town) and the respondents were randomized for each of them. The data for quoting the sample comes from the National Census of Population and Housing 2011, which was conducted by the President of the Central Statistical Office on the basis of the Act of 2010. It was run on the territory of the Republic of Poland from April 1 to June 30, 2011.

FINDINGS: More than half of the respondents answered in the affirmative, and about a quarter said that although they have not yet used these technologies, they intend to do so. Only about 15% of the respondents admitted that they have not used and do not intend to use modern technologies. Detailed results are presented for urban transport. The "digital" changes in the behavior of travelers coincided with the unexpectedly rapid development of modern technologies "forced" by the need to function in new environmental conditions shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Modern technologies in urban transport are generally used by young and professionally active people. This group will grow over time, so carriers should develop comprehensive services related to the use of modern technologies and make them more appealing. The fact that older people make the least use of modern technologies in urban transport and, at the same time often choose public transport is an important information for carriers to take action to activate this group - educate, develop simplified applications, information and distribution systems. Carriers should also develop action scenarios for residents of smaller towns who use modern information technologies in public transport to a lesser extent. The results of in-depth research may show what is the reason behind it.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article presents the results of own research conducted using the CAWI method in January 2022 on a representative nationwide random-quota sample of N = 1129 adult inhabitants of Poland.