noun phrase · academic
modal shift
UK/ˈməʊ.dəl ʃɪft/US/ˈmoʊ.dəl ʃɪft/MO·dal SHIFT
A change in travel behaviour from one transport mode (often private cars) to another (public transport, cycling, walking).
Examples
“Policies such as better bus services and safer cycling lanes can encourage a modal shift away from cars.”
“Achieving a modal shift is central to reducing urban congestion and emissions.”
“A successful modal shift requires both incentives and reliable alternatives to driving.”
Band 8 sentence
“To meet climate targets, policymakers must design incentives that produce a measurable modal shift away from private cars.”
Collocations
- encourage a modal shift
- achieve a modal shift
- promote modal shift
Word family
Common mistakes
mode shift→modal shift
shift to public transporting→shift to public transport / modal shift
Say it for a higher band
5switch to buses→6use public transport→7+modal shift
Synonyms
shift in travel behaviour
Easily confused
mode share
“The city's mode share shows that cycling accounts for 12% of all journeys.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Transport & Traffic
Learn it with its set