THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF TRAVELERS IN THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR. A SURVEY OF THE DYNAMICS OF MODE CHOICE DECISIONS

Most mode choices are the results of routines, not actual decisions. When decisions are made, they usually involve choices between only two modes, or three at most. From the individual traveler's point of view, the mode to use appears to be given by the nature of the trip, since he seldom subjects his needs and desires to conscious examination. For all three reasons, conceptualizing a simple four-way decision process, with the pluses and minuses of using each of the four modes weighed against one another simultaneously, is inaccurate. Mode selections are usually better conceptualized as routines that form around different kinds of trips, codifying the traveler's value considerations and mode evaluations. As a result of a series of carefully structured interviews of travelers, this report analyzes the process of mode selection. It finds that current rail service has a distinctly unpleasant image to most users and non-users, and that feelings about poor train service are bitter.

• Record URL:
  • https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/needs-and-desires-travelers-northeast-corridor-survey-dynamics-mode-choice-decisions
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  National Analysts, Incorporated

  Philadelphia, PA  United States 
• Publication Date: 1970-2

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: 306p* p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Decision making; Psychological aspects; Travel modes
• Old TRIS Terms: Travel modes
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039189
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FR-9-0048
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 24 1973 12:00AM