Analysis and Modeling Travel Behavior for a Small Sized India City

Abstract

Analysis and modeling of mode choice behavior is essential in formulating appropriate transport policies. Discrete choice models, based on the random utility theory, are widely used in modeling the individuals choice behavior. Utilities of various modes depend mainly on the modes characteristics, and the individual socioeconomic characteristics. Many researchers have stressed the relevance of appropriate model specification on the parameter estimates. As pointed out in many of the past studies, some of the important aspects in the model specification are the choice set availability to the trip maker, specification of the observed component of the utility, and the specification of the unobserved component of the utility. Recently, several researchers have also pointed out the effects of land use mix on the mode choice behavior of the individuals. Researchers have also pointed out the effects of qualitative aspects of the modes on the mode choice behavior. Mode choice behavior of the trip makers residing in the smaller Indian cities has not been studied much in the past. These cities are changing rapidly and in most of these cities trip makers are shifting towards the private motorized modes for making the work and shopping related trips. In this work, a study has been carried out to analyze and model the mode choice behavior of the trip makers residing in the city of Agartala, capital of Tripura, a north-east Indian state. Data required for the present study have been collected through a household survey as well as through some field studies. Both the revealed preference (RP) and the stated preference (SP) data have been collected through the household survey. Main objectives of the present study are to understand and overcome the issues related to the formulation and application of discrete choice models for smaller Indian cities; to find out various important determinants of mode choice for work trips; to understand and model the effect of mixed land use on mode choice for work and shopping trips as well as on other travel parameters; to understand the effects of psychological factors and the error in travel time data on choice modeling, using hybrid choice modeling approach. Quantification of mixed land use observed in the smaller Indian cities is a major hindrance in studying its impact on travel behavior.