Barely hanging on to the coattails of progress: Deep-dive into the driving behavior and motivation of public utility vehicle drivers

• Main Authors: de Ocampo, Beata Maria F., Tanpoco, Manuel R.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Motor vehicle drivers—Philippines—Metro Manila—Psychology; Traffic congestion—Philippines—Metro Manila; Traffic congestion—Economic aspects—Philippines—Metro Manila; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Transportation
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/12597
• Institution: De La Salle University

Congestion remains an enduring issue in cities, yet limited research has focused on analyzing driving behavior and motivation. Instead, solutions predominantly revolve around infrastructure development, traffic volume management, and implementing technological advancements. The Industry 4.0 traffic management framework emphasizes the human aspect. This sequential explanatory mixed-method study focuses on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila, their behaviors and motivations. It employs the COM-B Model and the PRIME Theory of Motivations as conceptual frameworks. The research questions are: Do Filipino PUV drivers exhibit automatic or reflective motivation in their driving behaviors under different traffic scenarios? What are the underlying factors contributing to the seemingly mindless behaviors observed among PUV drivers? The study utilized a Filipino-adapted Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) to measure drivers’ behaviors followed by interviews as to underlying motivations for each behavior. The study's findings reveal that PUV drivers make more automatic than reflective driving decisions. Also, genuine concerns about the future emerged in light of technological and transportation policy changes. We recommend reassessing the PUV modernization program and its implementation to address the fundamental challenges faced by PUV drivers and develop solutions in alignment with UN SDG-1 (no poverty) and UN SDG-10 (reduced inequalities).