Vehicle abandonment behaviour in earthquakes

A simulated earthquake event was presented by computer-aided personal interview to two-hundred and twenty-one participants to examine likely vehicle abandonment behaviours during post-earthquake travel on a disrupted transport network. The effects of social influence and trip distance on their intended behaviours were examined. An overreliance on private motor vehicles was observed. Walking was preferred up to 6.25 km, and driving became more likely at greater distances. Thirty-two percent of drivers attempted to drive as far as possible before they abandoned their vehicle to complete their journey by walking. Participants who observed other people abandoning their vehicles were significantly more likely to choose to abandon their vehicle.