Journal Articles by Dorina Pojani
Objectives: Understanding the risks associated with electric motorcycles (EMs) is essential for d... more Objectives: Understanding the risks associated with electric motorcycles (EMs) is essential for developing effective mobility and safety strategies in an era of increasing motorcycle use and the shift towards electric vehicles. In this research, we investigate the prevalence of crashes among EM and conventional motorcycle (CM) users, as well as factors contributing to the crashes. Methods: This study uses primary survey data from 972 motorcyclists (481 EM and 491 CM riders) collected in December 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam. It compares the frequency of risky riding behaviours and crash types between the two groups. Additionally, two binary logit regression models are applied to identify factors associated with crashes in the past 12 months for EM and CM riders. Results: The results suggested that the prevalence of respondents who did not experience crashes (56.1%), minor crashes (68.8%), serious crashes with injury (80.9%), and hospitalization (91.1%) for EM riders was significantly higher than that for CM users. CM riders tend to engage in many risky riding behaviours more frequently than EM riders. Higher frequencies of speeding, smoking, and neglecting turning signals were related to greater crash risk in both groups. Red light running was a particular risk factor of crash prevalence for EMs only. Older EM users were more likely to experience a crash while CM users traveling longer and living in urban districts were found to be linked to higher crash prevalence. Conclusions: Transitioning from CMs to EMs in Vietnam may offer some safety benefits, such as cautious behaviour by EM riders and lower speeds, but there are no major differences in crash prevalence between the groups. Risky behaviours like speeding, smoking, and neglecting turning signals increase crash risks for both, while red light running is a particular concern for EM riders, and longer travel distances and urban residency for CM users. Targeted interventions, proper training, and licensing are essential, with attention to older EM riders' vulnerabilities and the risks faced by CM users in urban areas and on long trips.
Housing costs are a well-established constraint to internal migration. Rising costs typically red... more Housing costs are a well-established constraint to internal migration. Rising costs typically reduce inflows while increasing outflows, particularly in large cities. Given the current housing affordability crisis in many countries, we extend evidence on the links between housing market dynamics and internal migration in three principal ways. First, we consider not only housing costs but also supply and distinguish between standalone and attached dwellings to provide more granular evidence. Second, we contribute a case study of Australia, where evidence is critically lacking despite remarkable housing price increases and wide regional price disparities. Third, we assess potential changes since COVID-19. To these ends, we estimate a Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood regression with origin, destination, and year fixed effects on annual bilateral migration flows between capital cities and nonmetropolitan regions from 2012 to 2023. We find that internal migrants respond to both origin and destination housing prices. Specifically, a 10 per cent increase in average prices at origin results in an 8.07 per cent increase in outflows, while a similar increase in destination prices reduces inflows by 3.96 per cent. Interregional flows also respond to an increase in housing supply at origin, albeit less so than an increase in housing price. The association between housing market dynamics and migration was greater at origin than destination before the pandemic. However, since COVID-19, migration flows have become more responsive to housing price at destination, particularly in the detached housing market. These results highlight the growing role of housing market dynamics in shaping internal migration flows.
Bikeability' is the quantitative assessment of the aggregate influence of natural and built envir... more Bikeability' is the quantitative assessment of the aggregate influence of natural and built environment features as barriers or facilitators to bicycling. An emerging field, bikeability research incorporates a diversity of factors and approaches, yielding a variety of results. This variability limits both the generalizability of findings and the practical impacts of this research. This study explores machine learning methods as a pathway toward greater convergence of empirical approaches to bikeability modeling. We disaggregate bikeability indicators into four groups: (1) bicycling infrastructure, (2) safety, (3) ambient environment, and (4) accessibility. To derive bikeability indicator weights, we employ a Negative Binomial Regression (NBR) along with two ensemble machine learning algorithms, Random Forest Regression (RFR), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regression (XGBR). We then employ the COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) model to score indicators and consider the influences of both the positive and negative criteria, with Sydney, Australia, as a case study. The resulting bikeability scores were statistically validated using bicycle count survey data. The key bikeability factors identified were: (1) destination accessibility, (2) air quality, (3) bikeway and traffic signal density, and (4) bikeway separation from motor vehicle traffic. Performance of the three hybrid models (COPRAS-NBR, COPRAS-RFR, and COPRAS-XGBR) indicates their capacity to handle the complex relationship between bicycling ridership and bikeability indicators and assess bikeability in a way that could support methodological convergence in the field. Findings suggest place-based interventions have an important role to play in supporting bicycling.
This article offers a feminist perspective on urban modernization and Europeanization in the Balk... more This article offers a feminist perspective on urban modernization and Europeanization in the Balkans from the late 19th century to the present. It examines how these intertwined processes have shaped urban landscapes through a continuous negotiation between local traditions and outside influences. Despite their contributions, local women have often been marginalized within these narratives. The analysis combines a historical exploration of urban modernization and Europeanization with a critique of their gendered implications in post-socialist cities. It argues that while modernization has brought transformative changes, it has also reinforced gendered inequities, often to the detriment of women. This study highlights the need for more inclusive and gendersensitive approaches to urban development in the Balkans.
Decarbonizing private transport is crucial in the highly polluted cities of low-and middle-income... more Decarbonizing private transport is crucial in the highly polluted cities of low-and middle-income countries, such as Vietnam. In motorcycle-dominated megacities, this means gradually converting the conventional motorcycle fleet into e-motos. In this study set in Hanoi, we examined the factors that explain existing e-moto riders' attachment to this mode. For this purpose, we built a novel theoretical framework called VEMM (Values and Expectations in Mobility Model), which combines the constructs of the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) and the Value-Based Adoption Model (VBAM). Survey data collected from 481 e-moto users in Hanoi were analysed by applying a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). We find that the enduring intention to use e-motos is positively related to perceived value, user satisfaction, and perceived usefulness. We controlled for riders' gender, age, education, and living area but only education was statistically significant. Overall, we found that the perceived value of e-motos owes more to the perceived benefits (usefulness, enjoyment, and eco-friendliness) than the perceived costs (risk, price, technicality, habit, and stigma) of this mode. Based on these findings, we recommend that manufacturers consider the critical role of values when designing and promoting e-motos.
This article investigates the reasons why people use motorcycles in two Vietnamese megacities, Ha... more This article investigates the reasons why people use motorcycles in two Vietnamese megacities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The research targets university students. The various factors that lead students to use motorcycles, as well as the linkages between those factors, are assessed through a statistical technique known as Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Conceptually, this study is guided by an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a well-established sociopsychological framework. We find that widespread motorcycle use among students is linked to behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs. Motorcycles are variously seen as convenient, inexpensive, fun, flexible, modern, and wontedwhereas factors such as health, safety, status, and environmental impact are irrelevant. But motorcycle use is also determined by habit and values (progressive or conservative). In fact, the effect of these two additional constructs is larger than the effect of beliefs. In addition, we find that higher income students, those who come from the provinces, and those who are more attached to cars are more prone to using motorcycles as well.
Informal construction has been rife in Albanian cities since the fall of communism in 1990. This ... more Informal construction has been rife in Albanian cities since the fall of communism in 1990. This study investigates the fluctuations in the housing legalization process in conjunction with national and local elections in Albania from 2008 to 2021. Government revenues from legalization fees are used as a proxy for the pace of the legalization process. The key finding is that the legalization of informal buildings intensifies prior to an election and drops afterwards, suggesting that the process is politically driven. This phenomenon is termed Election-Driven Legalization of Informality (EDLI) and is part and parcel of the shadow economy in urban Albania. In combination with another phenomenon known as Election-Driven Informality (EDI), EDLI produces a vicious circle. First, informal construction is enabled or tolerated before an election to curry favor with voters; that is EDI at work. Then, EDLI comes into play: before the next election, the informal buildings are legalized in a rush, again for the purpose of garnering voter support. These practices, which are perpetrated by both sides of the political spectrum, are both unethical and unsustainable.
Habituating youth to using green transport modes critical; however, so far, little is known about... more Habituating youth to using green transport modes critical; however, so far, little is known about the enablers and deterrents to the use of e-bikes among adolescents in developing countries. This study, set in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, seeks to answer two research questions: (1) how much do teenagers use e-bikes and why, and (2) how much do parents support further e-bike use among teenagers? Methods The current study relies on a survey of 832 parents of older teenagers (about half of whom use ebikes). Exploratory factor analysis is applied to derive latent psychological variables before binary and ordinal logit regression models are estimated to explore influential factors of teenagers' actual use of e-bikes and parental support for e-bike use. Results The prevalence of e-bike use is 52%. Teenagers are more likely to use e-bikes, and be supported in this choice, when their parents believe that e-bikes are useful and safe. Parents also care a great deal about their children's preferences around travel modes. A positive attitude towards e-bikes and an encouraging social circle lead to more e-bike use among teenagers and more parental support for e-bike use. Environmental awareness only predicts parental support for e-bikes use while perceived ease of use is positively associated with the actual use by teens. Older teenagers are less likely to use e-bikes. Conclusions Our findings can assist government agencies in adopting appropriate policies to sustain the use of e-bikes among teenagers. More research is needed to validate the findings of this study in other settings. Future studies should employ longitudinal data from representative samples of teens and/or parents.
This systematic literature review investigates whether and how working-from-home (WFH) affects tr... more This systematic literature review investigates whether and how working-from-home (WFH) affects travel behavior in the working population, and then assesses whether the changes, if any, generate environmental, social, or economic benefits. We rely on a final sample of fortyeight peer-reviewed articles, selected following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Throughout the study, we distinguish between the pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 evidence. We find that there are many environmental, social, and economic benefits associated with WFH but attaining them is not straightforward, partly because current urban patterns were not created with WFH in mind and lifestyle adjustments can offset any gains associated with WFH. A decrease in overall travel distance is only accrued when most employees (in jobs that do not require face-to-face contact) work from home three or more times a week.
The shift from motorcycles to cars is rapidly accelerating in Vietnam-traditionally, a motorcycle... more The shift from motorcycles to cars is rapidly accelerating in Vietnam-traditionally, a motorcycle-oriented country. Given high levels of pollution, a switch to e-cars as opposed to conventional cars is seen as a lesser evil. This study examines the intention to switch to e-cars among riders of conventional and electric motorcycles. The empirical data consist of nearly 1,000 original surveys collected in Hanoi in 2023, which are analysed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Theoretically, the study adapts the Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) model. We find that younger motorcycle riders from higher-income households are more interested in e-cars. The pull effects of e-cars are the strongest drivers of the intention to switch from motorcycles, whereas the push effects of motorcycles (whether conventional or electric) are much weaker. The mooring effects are similarly small but have moderating effects on pull factors. Electric motorcyclists have a stronger intention to upgrade to e-cars, partly due to their pro-environment values. The experience (and perhaps habit) of using an e-vehicle type appears to have a positive influence on the intention to adopt other green modes. In the status-conscious context of Vietnam, the concept of "saving face" through vehicle purchases is important too.
Worldwide, the gender gap in urban cycling is considerable, with most cyclists being young to mid... more Worldwide, the gender gap in urban cycling is considerable, with most cyclists being young to middle-aged men. In the current study, we first capture the suite of cycling barriers facing women before empirically investigating whether and how much three natural barriers (inclement weather, hilliness, and darkness) impact female users of bikesharing systems. For the analysis, we spatially integrate gender for more than 200 million bikesharing trips with fine-grained weather, gradient, and sunset/sunrise data. Computing a suite of the generalized additive models for ten cities worldwide covering a period of 14 years, we find that wind and precipitation disincentivise cycling, and more so for women than for men. Similarly, steeper gradients are a significant barrier for female bikeshare users for many cities. In every city, women make fewer trips in the dark (i.e., before sunrise and after sunset) compared to men. In higher-cycling cities, regardless of natural barriers, cycling declines less with age for women compared to other cities. To overcome the barriers presented by inclement weather, hilliness, and darkness we recommend (a) partial electrification of bikesharing fleets, (b) reduced exposure along bicycle paths (through manufactured shelters or tree canopies), and (c) adequate nighttime lighting along cycling paths. In the spirit of open science, all data and code on which this paper is based have been provided on Mendeley: https://data.me ndeley.com/datasets/vmy42hywwx/1.
At the turn of the 20th century, as empires fell and involuntary unions were dissolved, numerous ... more At the turn of the 20th century, as empires fell and involuntary unions were dissolved, numerous new capital cities began to be established. In 1900, there were approximately 40 capital cities in existence, but by the dawn of the new millennium, this number had skyrocketed to 200. Astonishingly, around 40% of all nations have contemplated the idea of relocating their capital. Even today, new capital cities are being put forward or actively planned. This book presents six new capital cities spread across time and cultures: Brasilia (Brazil), Abuja (Nigeria), Astana (Kazakhstan), Sejong (South Korea), N.A.C. (Egypt), and Nusantara (Indonesia). While the former four have been around longer, the latter two are very recent. Only a portion of N.A.C. is complete whilst Nusantara just broke ground. Gifted with a sharp eye for urban planning details, Nick Hannes has travelled the world to document these cities as they stand in the early 2020s. His is a bottom-up perspective, juxtaposing starchitecture with the lives of those struggling to make a life in new capital cities.
Over the past century, the dramatic increase in private vehicles has resulted in a growing demand... more Over the past century, the dramatic increase in private vehicles has resulted in a growing demand for parking spaces. Governments have sought to develop and adopt various parking policies to manage and regulate parking, but the results are mixed. Current research studies on parking policies often focus on a single aspect of parking. A comprehensive review and comparison of on-street and off-street parking policies (existing, proposed, and recently adopted) has been missing. This study addresses this gap by surveying 57 parking experts in 18 countries across six continents. In addition to reviewing parking policy measures, we consider implementation outcomes and barriers to parking reform. The results show that the countries have responded to parking innovations differently, and not all novel policies have been successful. Social, practical, institutional, and legal barriers are found to exist throughout the policymaking and implementation stages. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all parking solution. Findings suggest that to achieve success, it is important to include all stakeholders in discussions around parking reform and accompany any parking restrictions by public and active transport improvements. In the medium-term future, it is likely that new technological developments will shift the direction of parking policy.
In built-up areas, creating segregated bicycle lanes involves trade-offs with other modes, such a... more In built-up areas, creating segregated bicycle lanes involves trade-offs with other modes, such as repurposing existing kerbside parking. Can parking be eliminated without financially impacting local businesses? This study answers this question empirically, employing as a case study Boundary Street-the high street of a gentrifying inner-city suburb in Brisbane, Australia. It seeks to elucidate (1) the current use of on-street parking along Boundary Street; (2) the necessity for driving to Boundary Street, based on distances travelled; and (3) Boundary Street patrons' spending habits and visitation patterns. Three sets of primary data are used, including a public forum, an intercept survey, and a series of systematic field observations. The results show that most visitors reach the area on foot; parking spaces are generally available along the street, contrary to local perceptions. Nearly a third of private car users travel less than 3 km to Boundary Street and more than half travel less than 10 km (in other words, they come from the inner city). Therefore, they do not need to travel by car-if distance was the only consideration. Based on these findings, it is concluded that reassigning at least one row of kerbside parking to cycling along Boundary Street would be appropriate.
The Covid-19 pandemic drew considerable attention to urban transport issues. Many people turned t... more The Covid-19 pandemic drew considerable attention to urban transport issues. Many people turned to active transport as a means of achieving social distancing and avoiding infection on buses and trains, which led to an increase in cycling. This article recounts a qualitative study conducted in Brisbane, Australia, which explores the motivations behind people's decision to take up cycling during the pandemic. Can this behaviour be sustained and scaled-up after the pandemic? To analyse the process of change, the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) was adopted. The research revealed that the decision to switch to cycling was driven by several factors, including enjoyment, convenience, improved physical and mental health, and, to a much lesser extent, cost savings and environmental benefits. The availability of cycling infrastructure and support from others were also important factors. While most participants appeared committed to continuing cycling in the future, the lines between the stages of change were not always clear.
In this novel study, a gender audit was conducted to assess how the Seoul (Metro) and Jakarta (MR... more In this novel study, a gender audit was conducted to assess how the Seoul (Metro) and Jakarta (MRT) subway systems respond to women's needs. The audit revealed that both Seoul Metro and MRT Jakarta have made significant efforts to accommodate the needs of all passengers, including women. This is commendable because a public transit system that works well for women works better for everyone. With some improvements, both subways could achieve Universal Design standards. The audit protocol developed can be employed to periodically monitor other subway systems in Asia and measure progress towards gender mainstreaming.
This chapter summarises the research methods applied in studies to evaluate, ex post facto, the d... more This chapter summarises the research methods applied in studies to evaluate, ex post facto, the design of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) precincts. The purpose is to assist future researchers in this space with a menu of pre-tested methods that can be employed in new case studies. The methods are grouped into four categories: (1) mapping-based methods, (2) surveybased methods, (3) workshop-based methods, and (4) observation-based methods. For each of these, five aspects are discussed: (a) application, (b) contribution to research, (c) limitations and challenges, (d) ethical considerations, and (e) future improvements.
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Journal Articles by Dorina Pojani
This book aims to fill a gap in the transport literature that is crucial to understanding the needs of a large portion of the world’s urban population, especially in view of the southward shift in economic power. Readers will develop a better understanding of urban transport problems and policies in nations where development levels are below those of richer countries (mainly in the northern hemisphere) but where the rate of economic growth is often increasing at a faster rate than the wealthiest nations.