Impact of traveller information on mode choice behaviour

Abstract

This paper analysed automobile commuters' mode choice behaviour under the influence of simulated multimodal traveller information by developing two logit models. A combined revealed preference (RP)/stated preference (SP) travel behaviour survey was administered to drivers to gather individual commuters' travel decisions under integrated multimodal traveller information. Two SP scenarios were designed where the first scenario is to test the mode choice preference in a basic situation involving a congested work/school trip with information on several travel options, and the second scenario is to investigate the mode choice decision when certain incentives are given for public transport. Results showed that integrated multimodal traveller information can influence a traveller's mode choice decision. The influencing factors that significantly affect the mode choice decision include socio-economic characteristics – for example, gender, age, level of education and level of income – and multimodal traveller information attributes – for example, access mode to mass rapid transit (MRT) station, access time to MRT station and transit seat availability. The findings are useful to traffic management agencies for designing better operational policy and information publication strategies.