Understanding environmentally sustainable Indian travel behaviour: an analysis of 2011 census data

Using census data of non-agricultural workers for 2011, this study aims to examine trends and determinants of travel behaviour in India. Descriptive statistics accompanied by a beta regression model of proportional outcomes are implemented on the obtained data. The study finds that men are the dominant users of motorized transport in the country. Most workers travel a short distance of less than 5 km, irrespective of area or gender. Population density, the share of married population and the share of rural population in a district significantly influence the share of environmentally sustainable travel behaviour displayed by that region. To the best of our comprehension, this is one of the primary studies elucidating the comparison of travel behaviour in rural–urban areas of Indian states. Not many studies in India have addressed the issue of influence of socio-demographic factors on environmentally sustainable travel choices. With this analysis, policymakers in the transportation sector can get a clearer idea of the behaviour and demands of different divisions of society. The findings of this study demand the evolution of infrastructure of public transportation and non-motorized transportation in the country in such a way that is both efficient and secure to neither impede the goals of empowerment or sustainability.