Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Second Department

Environmental Analysis

Reader 1

Jennifer Ma

Reader 2

Marc Los Huertos

Rights Information

© 2025 Annika Livingston-Hall

Abstract

Los Angeles has struggled with bad air quality levels since the elimination of electric streetcars and the introduction of automobiles as the primary mode of transportation. Transportation is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and while public transportation is a feasible solution to reduce emissions from cars, it is necessary to understand and increase ridership in order to make significant reductions to car use in the city of Los Angeles. Past research has shown the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as an accurate predictor of travel mode choice. This longitudinal study will use TPB to examine intention and behavior pertaining to transportation mode choice as the Metro D Line extension opens up on the westside of Los Angeles. Subjective Norms and Implementation Intention will be manipulated for certain participants. Participants exposed to manipulation activities are expected to have higher Metro ridership behavior than participants who are not exposed to manipulation activities. The findings of this study have the potential to broaden our understanding of transit mode choice in areas with newly introduced transportation infrastructure. This may inform future efforts to increase ridership as public transportation opportunities expand, which can help to mitigate environmental consequences of car use.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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