Accommodating multiple constraints in the multiple discrete-continuous extreme value (MDCEV) choice model

Multiple-discrete continuous choice models formulated and applied in recent years consider a single linear resource constraint, which, when combined with consumer preferences, determines the optimal consumption point. However, in reality, consumers face multiple resource constraints such as those associated with time, money, and capacity. Ignoring such multiple constraints and instead using a single constraint can, and in general will, lead to poor data fit and inconsistent preference estimation, which can then have a serious negative downstream effect on forecasting and welfare/policy analysis. In this paper, the authors extend the multiple-discrete continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model to accommodate multiple constraints. The formulation uses a flexible and general utility function form, and is applicable to the case of complete demand systems as well as incomplete demand systems. The proposed MC-MDCEV model is applied to time-use decisions, where individuals are assumed to maximize their utility from time-use in one or more activities subject to monetary and time availability constraints. The sample for the empirical exercise is generated by combining time-use information from the 2008 American Time Use Survey and expenditure records from the 2008 U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey. The estimation results show that preferences can get severely mis-estimated, and the data fit can degrade substantially, when only a subset of active resource constraints is used.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191261512000203
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01912615
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Castro, Marisol
  • Bhat, Chandra R
  • 0000-0002-0715-8121
  • Pendyala, Ram M
  • Jara-Diaz, Sergio R
• Publication Date: 2012-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 729-743
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part B: Methodological
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0191-2615
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01912615

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Choice models; Consumer preferences; Surveys; Travel demand; Value of time
• Identifier Terms: American Time Use Survey; Consumer Expenditure Survey
• Uncontrolled Terms: Multiple discrete continuous extreme value model; Time use
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General); I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01374409
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 29 2012 3:01PM