GENERALIZED ATTRIBUTE VARIABLE FOR MODELS OF MODE CHOICE BEHAVIOR

This paper discusses how abstract transportation system characteristics like convenience can be quantified by using psychometric scaling techniques and can be included as explanatory variables in models of travel demand behavior. A survey was conducted to collect time and cost information on alternative modes of transportation for the journey to work and attitude data on 14 attributes representing convenience. Importance scores were derived for the attributes by using the Thurstone scaling technique. A generalized convenience variable was constructed based on a linear combination of individual satisfaction ratings of the convenience attributes weighted by their derived importance scores. Models of mode choice behavior was calibrated by using a logit function that was estimated by a maximum likelihood procedure. Comparisons were made between models that used only time and cost variables and those that included the generalized convenience variable. The goodness of fit was significantly better with models that included the convenience variable than with models that were based strictly on time and cost variables. It was concluded that the generalized attribute approach is a feasible concept that can significantly improve the explanatory power of conventional models of travel behavior. /Author/

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/592/592-002.pdf
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=GENERALIZED+ATTRIBUTE+VARIABLE+FOR+MODELS+OF+MODE+CHOICE+BEHAVIOR&author=B.+Spear&publication_year=1976
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • 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:
  • Spear, Bruce D
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 6-11
• Monograph Title: Perception and values in travel demand
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 592
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Behavior; Forecasting; Human factors; Mathematical models; Mode choice; Passengers; Quality of service; Quantitative analysis; Reliability; Travel budgets; Travel costs; Travel demand; Travel time; Work trips
• Uncontrolled Terms: Convenience; Models; Quantifying
• Old TRIS Terms: Analytical techniques; Modal selection
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00145323
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309025613
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM