Unravelling Integrated Travel Patterns: Profiling Intermodal Travelers for Sustainable Urban Mobility Development

Promoting intermodal mobility is increasingly seen as a key strategy for reducing car dependency and advancing sustainable transport. However, research on the diversity of intermodal users is still limited. This study addresses this gap by analysing intermodal users in Porto, Portugal, through a representative mobility survey and by conducting gender and generational segmentations. The findings reveal significant differences across intermodal segments. Women and Gen Z tend to be captive users, relying on intermodality due to a lack of alternatives, with longer travel times, higher PT usage (especially bus) and a greater tolerance for waiting for a transfer. In contrast, men and older generations exhibit more characteristics of choice users, citing perceived advantages of intermodality as key motivations such as cost, flexibility, and convenience, showing greater reliance on private cars and having a lower tolerance for waiting for a transfer. Such insights highlight the need for recognizing and addressing the distinct profiles and needs of intermodal users through more targeted strategies that can lead to more inclusive, sustainable and effective intermodal transport systems.