More persons in the cars? Status and potential for change in car occupancy rates in Norway

According to the Norwegian National Travel Survey, each car trip consisted of 1.54 persons in average. Car occupancy rates declined slightly from 1985 to 2005. Occupancy rates are highest on work trips and lowest on escorting trips. Car occupancy is also high for leisure trips and other longer trips. The number of children in the car driver’s household is a major contributor to occupancy rates. Where one lives is not significant. The report discusses which factors affect occupancy rates. Measures directly intended to increase car occupancy rates are presented.