InterMob: a Randomized Controlled Trial Aimed at Reducing Car Use in Regular Car Users

Summary

Regular car use is a source of pollution and physical inactivity. InterMob is an interdisciplinary randomized controlled behavioral intervention aiming at reducing car use. The objectives of InterMob are to a) Evaluate the efficacy of a theory- and evidence-based intervention, b) Identify the mechanisms related mobility change, and c) Identify the conditions under which the intervention is effective.

To meet these objectives, 300 regular car users living in Grenoble will be recruited and randomized in one of two arms:

1. experimental group that will receive the InterMob intervention: six months of free public transport/access to a bicycle, and behavior change techniques (personalized transport advice, setting of mobility change goals, considering possible obstacles; 6 months of motivational messages to prompt goal setting and self-monitoring).
2. active control group that will receive information about air pollution (discussion about the health consequences of air pollution, the association between air pollution and car use; 6 months of messages to prompt air pollution monitoring.) Follow-up measures will be carried out until 24 months after the beginning of the study (8-day measurement sessions). Five sessions will involve wearing a GPS/accelerometer, and an air pollution sensor. Participants will complete mobility logs and questionnaires measuring the psychological mechanisms related to their mobility (habits, intentions, self-efficacy), and socio-economical characteristics (number of children, accessibility) during the 8 sessions.

The investigators hypothesize that the participants allocated to experimental group will reduce the car use and increase the use of alternative modes to the car (biking, walking, public transport, and carpooling) more than the participants of the control group, and that these changes will remain. The investigators hypothesize that mobility changes will be mediated by intention and self-efficacy. The investigators hypothesize that the efficacy of the intervention will be moderated by socio-spatial factors (number of children, travel distances) and psychological factors (self-control).

The main criterion will be car use reduction and the use of alternative modes to the car. In addition, the investigators will assess physical activity (minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity), the exposure to air pollution, the quality of life and the carbon footprint associated to transport.

Conditions

• Automobile Driving
• Active Commuting

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

InterMob: a randomized controlled trial aimed at reducing car use in regular car users

Intermob is a theory- and evidence-based behavioral intervention that combines public transport/bicycle and motivational techniques (action planning, personalized transport advice, goal setting).

OTHER

Active control: Air pollution information

The active control intervention is based on a discussion about air pollution, the effects of air pollution on health, the association between air pollution and transport.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• IDEX - Univ. Grenoble-Alpes

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Région Auvergne-Rhône Alpes

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Institut de Recherche en Santé Publique, France

  collaborator OTHER

• ADEME

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Métropole Grenoble-Alpes

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Aina Chalabaev

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Aïna Chalabaev, Professor · Laboratoire SENS, Univ. Grenoble-Alpes

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-09-21

Primary Completion

2024-09-30

Completion

2025-09-30

Countries

• France

Study Locations