Citizens’ Perceptions in Relation to Transport Systems and Infrastructures: A Nationwide Study in the Dominican Republic

Alonso, Francisco; Faus, Mireia; Cendales, Boris; Useche, Sergio A. · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3390/infrastructures6110153

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study addresses the challenge of promoting sustainable transport in emerging countries, specifically examining citizens’ perceptions of transport systems and road infrastructure in the Dominican Republic. Motivated by the need to reduce vehicular pollution and improve mobility amidst high accident rates and deficient infrastructure, the research aims to understand how the population evaluates current conditions and their predisposition toward future government measures. The authors seek to provide practical guidelines for policymakers by assessing whether citizens prioritize structural improvements over other mobility interventions. The researchers conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional survey using data from the Dominican Republic’s National Survey on Mobility, administered in 2019. The sample consisted of 1,260 residents aged 18 and older, selected to be proportional to the national population by gender, age, habitat, and province. Data were collected via Computer Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) on tablets. The instrument evaluated sociodemographic variables, perceptions of road infrastructure (e.g., lighting, safety, sidewalk conditions), perceptions of public transport (e.g., comfort, price, cleanliness), and assessments of potential future measures such as bridge construction, traffic prioritization, and educational campaigns. All variables were scored on a Likert scale ranging from 0 to 10. Statistical analyses, including descriptive frequency analysis and ANOVA tests, were performed using IBM SPSS to identify correlations with sociodemographic factors. The results indicate that Dominicans perceive their country’s streets as insufficiently prepared for walking, with a mean score of 5.20 out of 10. Specific concerns included a lack of pedestrian crossings, short green times at traffic lights, and insufficient separation between pedestrians and vehicles. Citizens reported low perceived safety while walking and frequently avoided streets or changed sidewalks due to obstacles like parked vehicles. Regarding public transport, evaluations were mixed; accessibility and frequency received relatively positive scores (means of 7.08 and 6.99, respectively), while comfort, price, and cleanliness scored lower (means between 5.11 and 6.27). However, respondents showed a strong favorable predisposition toward structural improvements. The highest-rated potential measures were the improvement of public transport priority (8.93), sidewalks for pedestrians (8.92), and roads, highways, and connectors (8.85). These structural interventions were valued significantly higher than alternative measures such as road education programs or traffic communication campaigns. The study concludes that while citizens recognize the need for sustainable mobility, their immediate priority is the physical improvement of road infrastructure and public transport systems rather than behavioral or educational interventions. The findings suggest that policymakers in the Dominican Republic should integrate structural and vehicular improvements with educational and communicative actions. By addressing the perceived deficiencies in pedestrian infrastructure and public transport quality, authorities can better align with citizen expectations and foster a greater value for sustainable transportation. This approach is crucial for enhancing road safety and encouraging the adoption of non-motorized and public transport modes in emerging economies.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• acceptance adoption