Article on the transformation potential of transport services and mobility behavior in the Ruhr region published in international TRIP magazine

The article Transport services and mobility behavior in the Ruhr Region. An analysis of the potential for system transformation and behavior change from the provider's perspective (Kay Kohaupt-Cepera) was recently published in the international journal Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, issue 33 (2025) and is available available online as an open access article.

In contrast to previous research on mobility behavior, which often focuses on the group of users and neglects the dynamics on the provider side and the governance levels, the focus here is on the transformation of the transport system of the Ruhr region from the perspective of mobility providers and authorities. Based on expert interviews with representatives of these institutions, the study examines potential changes and transformation paths, combining provider-side factors with established behavioral theories. The analysis distinguishes between different governance levels in order to provide stakeholders with actionable recommendations.

From the providers' perspective, public transport requires more flexibility, improved acceptance and a revision of financing and coordination structures away from a pure profit orientation. Recording and including the individual needs and contexts of travelers in the design of services could promote acceptance among users. In addition, the integration of sharing and on-demand solutions into a synchronized public transport system could improve flexibility. These services should not be seen as isolated components, but as integral elements of a holistic transformation that focuses on the evolution of usage practices within the mobility system.