title: To drive, or not to drive: Mode choice in daily commute

authors: Sivasubramaniyam, Rathee Dewi

subjects: Mode choice

abstract: Mode choice for daily commute refers to the process whereby commuters choose a travel mode for their daily trips to work. Despite its ordinary nature, it often involves a series of decisions and consideration of various factors and barriers. More research is needed to understand the various aspects of commuters’ mode choice for daily commute. This thesis comprises three studies that focus on four aspects of mode choice: mode motivating factors, mode commitment, mode decisions, and mode interventions. The thesis aims to present the research gaps that exist in current research related to the four aspects and address them appropriately in the three studies.
The first study sought to identify the motivating factors behind commuters’ mode choices. To address the limitations of investigating only one or two factors and recruiting only a particular type of commuter in a single study, the first study explored the influence of seven psychological factors on five types of commuters’ mode choices. An online survey was distributed to various types of commuters in New Zealand. The results showed that commuters have more than one motivating factor to use their usual modes and some commuters share similar motivating factors.
The first study also aimed to examine how committed commuters are towards their usual modes. To address the limitations of using the categorical measure of modality, the first study involved measuring commuters’ mode commitment using a continuous measure. A 1-week online travel diary was distributed to a subset of the commuters who completed the online questionnaire. The results revealed that the five types of commuters were all committed to their usual modes. However, some of them were more likely to use a combination of more than two modes while others were more likely to use a maximum of two modes for their weekly commutes.
The second study was developed based on the previous findings that all types of commuters were strongly committed towards their usual modes despite having different reasons to use their modes. Thus, the study sought to investigate how commuters decide to use their usual modes for daily commutes by focusing on bounded rationality’s concept of ‘satisficing’ as a decision-making strategy. A sample of New Zealand commuters was invited to complete an online questionnaire. The study found that commuters tend to satisfice when deciding to use their usual modes and commuters with high satisficing tendencies tend to be more positive and satisfied with their regular commutes. 
The third and final study was developed based on assumption that drivers tend to satisfice when deciding to use the car which may explain why current mode-shift interventions have mixed results in terms of their effectiveness. So, the study aimed to test an attitude change intervention known as self-persuasion (i.e., generating arguments to convince oneself) to encourage drivers to reduce their car use. A sample of New Zealand car drivers was invited to complete two online questionnaires and was randomly assigned into one of three conditions (i.e., self-persuasion, direct-persuasion, and control). The study did not find evidence of an effect of self-persuasion on drivers’ car use intentions, behaviours, and attitudes.
Overall, results from the three studies showed the various decisions and factors involved in commuters’ mode choice despite seeming ordinary. The novel approaches used in each study provided new and interesting insights into understanding commuters’ mode choices. The main implication of this thesis is that researchers and policymakers need to take into account these decisions and factors and use various approaches and methods to further understand commuters’ mode choices for their daily commutes and to develop long-lasting mode-shift interventions.

text: To drive, or not to drive: Mode choice in daily commute Mode choice for daily commute refers to the process whereby commuters choose a travel mode for their daily trips to work. Despite its ordinary nature, it often involves a series of decisions and consideration of various factors and barriers. More research is needed to understand the various aspects of commuters’ mode choice for daily commute. This thesis comprises three studies that focus on four aspects of mode choice: mode motivating factors, mode commitment, mode decisions, and mode interventions. The thesis aims to present the research gaps that exist in current research related to the four aspects and address them appropriately in the three studies.
The first study sought to identify the motivating factors behind commuters’ mode choices. To address the limitations of investigating only one or two factors and recruiting only a particular type of commuter in a single study, the first study explored the influence of seven psychological factors on five types of commuters’ mode choices. An online survey was distributed to various types of commuters in New Zealand. The results showed that commuters have more than one motivating factor to use their usual modes and some commuters share similar motivating factors.
The first study also aimed to examine how committed commuters are towards their usual modes. To address the limitations of using the categorical measure of modality, the first study involved measuring commuters’ mode commitment using a continuous measure. A 1-week online travel diary was distributed to a subset of the commuters who completed the online questionnaire. The results revealed that the five types of commuters were all committed to their usual modes. However, some of them were more likely to use a combination of more than two modes while others were more likely to use a maximum of two modes for their weekly commutes.
The second study was developed based on the previous findings that all types of commuters were strongly committed towards their usual modes despite having different reasons to use their modes. Thus, the study sought to investigate how commuters decide to use their usual modes for daily commutes by focusing on bounded rationality’s concept of ‘satisficing’ as a decision-making strategy. A sample of New Zealand commuters was invited to complete an online questionnaire. The study found that commuters tend to satisfice when deciding to use their usual modes and commuters with high satisficing tendencies tend to be more positive and satisfied with their regular commutes. 
The third and final study was developed based on assumption that drivers tend to satisfice when deciding to use the car which may explain why current mode-shift interventions have mixed results in terms of their effectiveness. So, the study aimed to test an attitude change intervention known as self-persuasion (i.e., generating arguments to convince oneself) to encourage drivers to reduce their car use. A sample of New Zealand car drivers was invited to complete two online questionnaires and was randomly assigned into one of three conditions (i.e., self-persuasion, direct-persuasion, and control). The study did not find evidence of an effect of self-persuasion on drivers’ car use intentions, behaviours, and attitudes.
Overall, results from the three studies showed the various decisions and factors involved in commuters’ mode choice despite seeming ordinary. The novel approaches used in each study provided new and interesting insights into understanding commuters’ mode choices. The main implication of this thesis is that researchers and policymakers need to take into account these decisions and factors and use various approaches and methods to further understand commuters’ mode choices for their daily commutes and to develop long-lasting mode-shift interventions.

year: 2021

title: Improving Collaborative Drawing using HTML5

authors: Huang, Yu-Hsin (Amigo)

subjects: HTML5

abstract: This research looks into improving online web-based collaborative drawing using HTML5. Although many systems have been developed over a number of years, none of the applications released have been satisfactory for many artists; the core drawing experience was too different from a stand-alone drawing applications. Stand-alone drawing applications have better freedom of control with functions like undo and allow artists to work efficiently with hotkeys. The advent of the HTML5 Canvas Element and Websockets in recent browsers has provided new opportunities for collaborative online interaction. 
This research used an incremental development approach to build a prototype HTML5 drawing application providing new functionality for online collaborative drawing. The project was supported by two experienced artists throughout investigation, design, implementation and testing. The project artists helped validate design decisions and evaluate the implementation. 
As a result, a robust HTML5 collaborative drawing application was built. The prototype contains core drawing functionality that existing applications did not. Features include: undo and redo, free canvas transformation, complex hotkey interaction, custom canvas size support, colour wheel, and layers. All these features work smoothly in a fully synchronized network environment under a client-server model. The collaboration system uses an authoritative server structure with local prediction and re-synchronization to hide latency. 
Although the result is only a prototype, the evaluations from the project artists were very positive. Once more functionality targeted towards social interaction is built, the prototype will be ready for mass public testing. Although there are some issues caused by the immaturity of HTML5 technology, this project affirms its capability for collaborative web applications.

text: Improving Collaborative Drawing using HTML5 This research looks into improving online web-based collaborative drawing using HTML5. Although many systems have been developed over a number of years, none of the applications released have been satisfactory for many artists; the core drawing experience was too different from a stand-alone drawing applications. Stand-alone drawing applications have better freedom of control with functions like undo and allow artists to work efficiently with hotkeys. The advent of the HTML5 Canvas Element and Websockets in recent browsers has provided new opportunities for collaborative online interaction. 
This research used an incremental development approach to build a prototype HTML5 drawing application providing new functionality for online collaborative drawing. The project was supported by two experienced artists throughout investigation, design, implementation and testing. The project artists helped validate design decisions and evaluate the implementation. 
As a result, a robust HTML5 collaborative drawing application was built. The prototype contains core drawing functionality that existing applications did not. Features include: undo and redo, free canvas transformation, complex hotkey interaction, custom canvas size support, colour wheel, and layers. All these features work smoothly in a fully synchronized network environment under a client-server model. The collaboration system uses an authoritative server structure with local prediction and re-synchronization to hide latency. 
Although the result is only a prototype, the evaluations from the project artists were very positive. Once more functionality targeted towards social interaction is built, the prototype will be ready for mass public testing. Although there are some issues caused by the immaturity of HTML5 technology, this project affirms its capability for collaborative web applications.

year: 2014

title: Too many Māori and Asian people are drowning – can better cultural understanding reverse the trend?

authors: Wheaton, Belinda

abstract: The article discusses the high rate of drownings in New Zealand, particularly among Māori and Asian communities. It highlights the need for culturally specific water safety education to address this issue. The Asian community, in particular, includes many first-generation migrants who may lack water skills due to their upbringing and fear of water. Overprotectiveness towards children around water is also common among Asian parents. The article emphasizes the importance of providing support and learning opportunities to help Asian migrants develop water skills and feel more comfortable in outdoor activities. Additionally, it mentions the declining water skills among New Zealand children in general and the need for better resourcing of school programs and community initiatives like ActivAsian. Culturally relevant knowledge and education are deemed crucial in changing attitudes and behaviors towards water safety. The article stresses that making New Zealand's beaches and waterways safe for all residents, including migrants, requires targeted funding and a collaborative effort to prevent tragic drowning incidents.

text: Too many Māori and Asian people are drowning – can better cultural understanding reverse the trend? The article discusses the high rate of drownings in New Zealand, particularly among Māori and Asian communities. It highlights the need for culturally specific water safety education to address this issue. The Asian community, in particular, includes many first-generation migrants who may lack water skills due to their upbringing and fear of water. Overprotectiveness towards children around water is also common among Asian parents. The article emphasizes the importance of providing support and learning opportunities to help Asian migrants develop water skills and feel more comfortable in outdoor activities. Additionally, it mentions the declining water skills among New Zealand children in general and the need for better resourcing of school programs and community initiatives like ActivAsian. Culturally relevant knowledge and education are deemed crucial in changing attitudes and behaviors towards water safety. The article stresses that making New Zealand's beaches and waterways safe for all residents, including migrants, requires targeted funding and a collaborative effort to prevent tragic drowning incidents.

year: 2022-12-20