Mobility expert about the jam : The unhappiest time in life

Mr Kutzner, nowhere in the country people are as long as in a traffic jam in Berlin. Why do you take the, not on the underground or S - Bahn?

mobility behaviour is shaped habit. When it comes to slowly increasing deterioration of the Situation– more traffic, more loss of time, increasing cost, get used to it. Like a frog sitting in a slowly heating glass and is cooked. Only drastic events, the behavior can change.

What for example?

If the Deutsche Bahn is on strike, commuters are urged to the car to Dodge. Studies show that about ten percent will stay in this alternative method. Forced changes in behavior change in some of the so also the Routine.

The car is also a status symbol.

It comes to the idea of what I want to be able to afford in my life. And has a lot to do with convenience. To take the Bus or train, requires a bit more planning. I have to check departure times and delays. This little difference keeps some people in a car.

you mean, it's still more convenient to be on crowded roads?

The decision to drive a car, not make the most of every day. It is, therefore, often not an active choice for the car. But even if, is the lack of convenience that will happen to me if I stand in a traffic jam, in the Moment of awakening. When I'm traveling, I set myself and can't back.

motorists make their once made decision.

Exactly. People invest an amazing amount of your disposable income into your car. This creates a kind of self-imposed obligation to use it. If I spent 80,000 euros for a car and each year for depreciation and repairs einrechne, it can be hard to switch to public transport.

Florian Kutzner is as a social psychologist at the University of Heidelberg and advises municipalities on the topic of mobility.Photo: private

How to induce motorists to switch to buses or trains?

On the raised index finger is the most responsive defiantly. In order to convince, one must be informative and subtle. It is important to argue for the Alternatives, not against the car.

But the Berliners can always rely on U - and S-Bahn.

You can also bring in value-based arguments: The public transport system is socially and environmentally sustainable.

For the car, speak to security and privacy.

The physical proximity to other people is not feels everyone comfortable. Some people can overcome these Fears. Bus and use the train is to be socially active.

While Berlin are in a traffic jam, you lose life time. What is the power with them?

The time spent with Commuting is the unhappiest time in his life. The burdened at the Moment, but already in the evening, less bad. The next jam, so you think you can drive around safely.

Florian Kutzner is as a social psychologist at the University of Heidelberg. Among other things, he advises municipalities on the topic of mobility.