How the choice of mode is conditioned by information Source
Last modified: 27 June 2011
Abstract
This paper investigates the influence on regular or occasional public transport users' choice of mode of time and cost information obtained from a range of different sources. The examination of mode choice was based on modal attributes described by at least two different information sources - which might provide contrary or corroborating information - rather than on actual attributes. The experiment included telephone-administered questionnaire including RP questions and an SP exercise dealing with the choice of modes conditioned by the information received from various sources. Information on travel time and cost was provided from two different information sources for each mode to facilitate the conditioning of mode choice on corroborating/contradictory information. The research employs a wide range of modelling methodologies and examines a range of traditional and newly developed calibration and estimation procedures including Mixed Logit models with individual-specific parameters and the newly developed Random Regret Minimisation framework. The study confirms that the market share of the modes increases when information sources show decreased travel time and cost values and shows that the maximum shares are achieved when different information sources give the same information to the travellers. The study found that pre-trip time information has more influence on mode choice when derived from websites than when derived from other sources. Pre-trip information on costs was, however, less influential when derived from websites than when derived from other sources.
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