THE EFFECT OF COVERED LINKWAYS ON TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

Singapore is a country with an equatorial climate, experiencing abundant rainfall and strong sun throughout the year. Although covered linkways function to shelter commuters as they make their way to the nearest public transit stops, their existence is largely taken for granted. This paper aims to study the effect covered linkways have on travel behaviour, namely how the availability of covered linkways affects the frequency of taking rail transit, and how individual characteristics affect commuters’ choice to go ahead, wait or take a taxi in rainy conditions, assuming covered linkways are not available.

A survey of 222 members of the general public showed that the percentage of route to the nearest bus stop or train station sheltered by covered linkways has a statistically significant relationship with the frequency of taking MRT. Those with less than 60% of their route sheltered are associated with being less likely to take MRT often, with those with less than 20% sheltered associated with being 50.8% less likely to take MRT often. Assuming rainy conditions whereby covered linkways are not available, household income and trip purpose were found to have a statistically significant relationship with the choice to go ahead, wait or take a taxi. These results suggest that covered linkways do indeed affect travel behaviour. Thus, building more covered linkways will be useful to promote the use of public transport, especially for the short trips to transit stops. The results also support the government’s recent decision to expand the current covered linkway network.