Understanding the drivers of behavior change and the contexts in which psychological theories apply is crucial for designing effective interventions. Life events are often seen as ‘windows of opportunity’ for promoting more sustainable behaviors, as disruptions to daily routines can make intentions more influential by weakening habitual barriers. This paper primarily investigates this idea through an empirical case on car use reduction, using a configurational comparative method (CCM). CCM offers a case-oriented approach that complements traditional variable-oriented techniques such as regression and structural equation modeling. Because CCM is uncommon in environmental psychology research, the paper introduces its core principles and highlights how its features can generate novel insights—such as identifying outcomes shaped by multiple interacting factors (causal conjunction) and by distinct causal pathways (equifinality). The empirical analysis indicates two key patterns: (1) Car use reduction often occurred independently of corresponding intentions and other psychological predictors, challenging the applicability of combining reasoned action models and habit theory in this context. (2) Strong intentions typically stem from strong attitudes, while very strong intentions require combinations of factors, such as moral responsibility and perceived behavioral control. Overall, the findings suggest that most reductions occur spontaneously in response to external influences, whereas intentional change demands interventions targeting multiple motivational drivers simultaneously. The study demonstrates how CCM provides an accessible approach for examining theoretically recognized complexities in causal interactions, ultimately offering concrete guidance for policy and intervention design. 

Life events have long been discussed as a 'window of opportunity' for promoting pro-environmental behaviors such as car use reduction. However, findings from this study suggest that it is key events, rather than life events per se, that drive the emergence of such windows of opportunity. This distinction is crucial for understanding when and how the psychological prerequisites for desirable behavior change are most likely to arise. While researchers have focused on the relation between life events, habit disruption, and behavior change, less attention has been given to how life events relate to decisive factors for deliberate decision-making. Based on a mobility biography approach and the related Framework of RoUtIne Transitions in daily travel (FRUIT), this cross-sectional study explores how periods of life events relate to the potential for, and motivation for, reducing car usage. Online survey data from a sample of Swedish car users were analyzed using group comparisons and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that changed travel routines relate to stronger motivation for car use reduction and weaker daily travel habits, regardless of whether the change being provoked by life events or triggered for other reasons. It is concluded that life events indeed are associated with the 'window of opportunity' for car use reduction; however, only when they turn into key events and hence, are interconvertible with other events triggering changes in travel routines. We advocate for a broadened perspective on the types of events that may activate preferable psychological prerequisites for reducing car use.

This systematic literature review examines the social impact of paratransit from a micro-level perspective, offering insights into how this mode of transportation influences individuals' daily lives. Using the PRISMA methodology, 33 publications were identified following an iterative screening process. Five key themes emerged: Barriers, Safety and Risk Concerns, Gender and Socio-Economic Influences, Users' Opinions and Lived Experiences, and Travel Behavior - Influences and Determinants. The review reveals that paratransit services present significant challenges, particularly for the elderly and disabled, restricting autonomy and social inclusion. Although safety concerns and dissatisfaction with service reliability and cleanliness were common, these issues did not result in notable changes in travel behavior, as users frequently lacked viable alternatives due to financial constraints. Notably, most reviewed studies were conducted in the Global South, which may limit the generalizability of findings to high-income or Western contexts. The review emphasizes the need to address both basic and psychological needs to enhance positive social impact of paratransit, especially in regions where income inequality shapes transportation options. Additionally, standardizing terminology is crucial to ensure consistency in future research.

Traditionally idea screening has been understood as a selection process, but recent studies have shown that idea evaluators engage in creative activities during screening. This approach has been conceptualized as generative idea screening. In this study, we analyzed how expert evaluators perform generative screening. By analyzing idea screening situations, we found that experts rely primarily on three types of generative activities that focus on adapting, concretizing, or changing an idea. Innovation managers can use this information to organize and direct generative activities during idea screening. We also discovered four idea screening processes: simple evaluation, simple modification, cyclical modification, and cyclical exploration. Adapting and concretizing an idea are prevalent activities in these four processes, which suggests that generative idea screening is best used for identifying and solving issues related to how an idea is presented and implemented. PRACTITIONER TAKEAWAYS: Generative screening is a creative process companies can use to improve upon initial ideas for innovation. Instead of asking experts to merely improve upon ideas, innovation managers can ask them to adapt the ideas to make them easier to implement; to concretize ideas to make them easier to understand; and/or to change the idea to encourage divergent thinking. Innovation managers can use generative idea screening as input for further ideation and harvest the experts’ creative potential more effectively, rather than solely focusing on identifying the most promising ideas during screening.

Hope is defined as the capability to pursue a desired goal by leveraging one's abilities and potential pathways to goal attainment. This study aims to (1) chart and integrate conceptualizations and operationalizations of hope in travel and well-being research, and (2) investigate the relationship between hope and travel behaviour, as well as its associations with well-being concepts relevant to travel behaviour research, as a base for developing a Travel-Hope Framework. A scoping review was conducted with the following inclusion criteria: (i) adult participants, (ii) validated hope scales, (iii) relevance to travel behaviour and well-being research, (iv) written in English, and (v) peer-reviewed. A systematic search identified 13 studies on hope<acute accent>s conceptualizations and measurement. While none explicitly explored its link to travel behaviour, hope was associated with cognitive, emotional, and social well-being components relevant to travel behaviour research. Building on these insights, we introduce the Travel-Hope Framework, which posits that hope - particularly in the form of travel autonomy and perceived accessibility, and experience and anticipation - is essential for behaviour change and well-being. By illuminating the role of hope in travel decision-making, this framework provides a novel perspective for travel research and policy. Understanding the dynamic interplay between hope, travel and well-being can inform targeted interventions to improve commuting experiences, foster equitable accessibility, and promote sustainable travel choices.

Introduction: The pandemic disrupted daily lives and negatively affected psychological factors such as perceived security, social relations, distancing, stress, and engagement. Yet, empirical insights are still largely lacking of the complex evolving interplay of changing everyday mobilities and physical activities, accessibility perceptions, and mental health outcomes during and after the pandemic. This study explores how travel, physical activity and perceived accessibility affect mental health during the COVID-19 crisis. Method: Drawing on 2020, 2021 and 2022 panel survey data from residents of Greater Oslo, Norway, we (i) develop a theoretical framework on the interplay between travel and behaviour, perceived accessibility and mental health, (ii) we set up measurement instruments to capture key outcomes (Perceived Accessibility Scale, and Mental Health Index), and (iii) test the interplay using panel survey data from before, during, and immediately after the pandemic analysed in Structural Equation Models. Results: Substantial negative pandemic impacts on trip frequencies, public transport shares and accessibility perceptions are observed, the latter with important mediating effects on mental health. Physical activity levels and mental health were initially also negatively affected, but less so than travel and perceived accessibility and they also rebounded back to normal during the study period. Pandemic impacts on travel, perceived accessibility and mental health turned out to be uneven, with for instance stronger impacts for women than for men. Conclusions: The findings highlight the central role of perceived accessibility as a mediating factor between travel behaviour and mental health, underscoring its importance in transport policy and planning. The unequal impacts of the pandemic across socio-demographic groups, especially for women, demonstrate the need for more inclusive and resilient mobility systems. Moreover, the study illustrates the value of using subjective, longitudinal measures to understand how mobility and well-being are interlinked over time, particularly in response to societal disruptions like the pandemic. 

The occurrence of life events increases the likelihood of changes in travel behaviour and these are often discussed as windows of opportunity for interventions aimed at improving sustainable travel. Hence, theoretical knowledge of the process of change due to life events is important for enabling the development of interventions suited to these naturally-occurring situations. In this paper, the Framework of RoUtIne Transitions in daily travel (FRUIT) is presented, depicting the internal processes involved when one chapter of life, characterized by stability in daily travel, gives way to another. Building on theory relating to habit disruption and formation, and designed for the inclusion of existing models and concepts relating to deliberate decision-making, the framework points to two critical phases as focus areas. Using an empirical case, the applicability of FRUIT is illustrated, with the implications of the framework for future research and policy being outlined and discussed. 

Public transport (PT) success depends on targeted interventions, ranging first from push measures that discourage car use to pull measures that encourage PT use, and second from hard measures that intervene at physical infrastructures to soft measures that intervene at psychological elements of individuals’ behaviors. Focusing on soft-pull policy measures, and through a scoping review of 36 publications, we categorize these measures into three overarching groups: 1) Internally motivating strategies that gradually but firmly instill pro-sustainability attitudes and norms in people’s mind; 2) Satisfaction increasing strategies that primarily help retain current users especially those who feel forced to use PT and secondary attract new riders by improving the service factors and modifying travelers’ inaccurate perceptions of the service; 3) Stimulating PT-use and car-habit disrupting strategies such as attractive incentives and tailored information that encourage auto-drivers to give PT a try and break their car-habit. This review provides an analytical evaluation of each approach, offering recommendations for policy makers and PT service providers, along with identifying research gaps and suggesting future research directions. 

This study focuses on the association between cognitive, medical, and physical difficulties; mental illness; travel autonomy; and perceptions of the possibilities of participating in desired daily activities; further, we examine their association with happiness and life satisfaction. We present and empirically test an integrated framework with travel autonomy, defined as the prerequisites, freedom, and possibility to travel the way one wants, at its core. We use web survey data (n = 1041) collected in Sweden in 2021. Using partial least squares structural equations, we find a valid and reliable model with travel autonomy as a distinct and reliable latent construct. Furthermore, travel autonomy yields significant paths to perceived accessibility, happiness, and life satisfaction, highlighting the importance of capabilities, independent travel, freedom, and possibilities in the overall construct of travel autonomy. Finally, mental illness plays an important role in how people rate their travel autonomy.