Psychological Factors Influencing Behavioral Intention toward Future Sky Train Usage in Phnom Penh,Cambodia

Abstract

A study is presented on an extension of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to investigate the commuter's behavioral intention toward future sky train usage in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Several psychological factors and socioeconomic variables that might help explain the likelihood of future sky train usage were measured by a questionnaire survey. Responses were collected from 398 motorcyclists who traveled along the planned sky train line linking the central market in the central business district to the airport. The survey was conducted on the basis of psychological constructs, including attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, moral obligation, and awareness of consequence. With structural equation modeling, it was found that the main TPB constructs, that is, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, significantly influenced the behavioral intention of using the future sky train. A further investigation revealed that moral obligation and the awareness of consequences were also found to be significant determinants for the behavioral intention. In addition, to some degree, socioeconomic variables can also be used to explain the intention. The outcome of the study can help in understanding commuters’ current behavioral intention and give some ideas on the feasibility of such an investment in regard to potential demand.

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