STRUCTURAL MODELS OF ATTITUDE-BEHAVIOR RELATIONS FOR INTERCITY RAIL TRAVELERS

The interrelationship of various attitude and behavioral measures of intercity rail travel within a simultaneous equation, multiattribute formulation is examined. The overall structure of perception influencing preference, preference influencing activity, and activity influencing perception has been established, although not for all dimensions of user evaluation. Satisfaction with the schedule, cost, speed, and physical design of the train seems to be the most important determinant of an overall positive evaluation of train travel, although the social environment inside the car and pretrip experiences also have an impact. Overall evaluation of train travel has a positive relationship to frequency, and frequency in turn influences satisfaction with schedule, and (very slightly) perception of the physical dimension of train travel. Satisfaction with schedule is influenced not only by frequency of travel but also by travelers' general evaluation of the train regarding cost, schedule, and comfort. Satisfaction with design aspects of the train is influenced by perception of the physical qualities of the ride, as well as perception of the train's comfort. The image of the train tends to influence evaluation of the food and facilities available on the train. The major negative finding is the lack of significance of frequency in predicting more aspects of traveler perceptions or dimensions of satisfaction, in contrast to its pivotal role for urban travel. These results indicate the role of traveler style, demographics, and trip characteristics in the formation of perceptions, the translation of perceptions into specific dimensions of satisfaction, and the translation of these components of satisfaction into overall effect and frequency. The use of a methodology such as this can aid decisionmaking for service offerings, advertising campaigns, and design studies.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1982/894/894-008.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=STRUCTURAL+MODELS+OF+ATTITUDE-BEHAVIOR+RELATIONS+FOR+INTERCITY+RAIL+TRAVELERS&author=P.+Allaman&author=T.+Tardiff&publication_year=1982
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Ride Quality and User Acceptance. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Allaman, Peter M
  • Tardiff, Timothy J
• Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 48-55
• Monograph Title: Evaluation and measurement of ride quality: state-of-the-art report
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 894
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Consumer behavior; Consumer preferences; Demographics; Human factors; Intercity travel; Level of service; Mode choice; Passenger comfort; Passenger trains; Scheduling; Travel behavior
• Subject Areas: Highways; Public Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00373392
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309035066
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jun 30 1983 12:00AM