Abstract

This paper defines the concept of disruption in travel and transportation, specifically in the rural context. Resilience is introduced as a theoretical tool to model individual and community development in times of change and disruption. Various resilience characteristics that influence passengers during disruptions are identified. A conceptual model - which links passenger behaviour characteristics, identified from expert studies with community resilience characteristics - to identify possible pathways to enhancing passenger resilience is developed. The resilience characteristics presented in the model are formulated and evaluated from existing resilience literature, 60 interviews with passengers and rural dwellers in Scottish borders and rural Lancashire, and consultation and brainstorming discussion within a research group. The developed model can provide a better understanding of resilience in the context of transportation disruption and uncertainty. It can also identify new technology options to lessen disruption impacts; decrease recovery times; and provide transport service planning during disruption.