Exploring Sustainable Transportation Perceptions Among Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang Students: A Mixed-Methods Study Using Mental Mapping and Unstructured Interviews

Abstract

This study investigates student perceptions of sustainable transportation at Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Indonesia, within the context of a tropical urban environment. Combining mental mapping exercises, unstructured interviews, and GIS spatial analysis, the research analyzes mobility patterns and attitudes toward sustainable transportation among 165 students commuting to and from campus. Correlation analysis revealed that routes utilizing sustainable transportation (e.g., walking, cycling) were most common within a 1,000-meter radius of the campus, with safety, travel distance, and time emerging as key determinants of mode choice. The findings highlight the challenges of promoting sustainable mobility in tropical settings, where factors such as extreme heat, seasonal rainfall, and fragmented infrastructure influence commuting behavior. This study underscores the need for climate-responsive urban planning and targeted interventions, such as shaded walkways, secure cycling lanes, and improved public transit connectivity, to enhance the adoption of sustainable transportation in tropical university environments.