Work Travel Mode Choice and Number of Non-Work Commute Stops

Chandra R. Bhat
University of Massachusetts, Amherst


Abstract:

The research presented here develops a joint model of work travel mode choice and number of stops during the work commute.  This model provides an improved basis for evaluating the effect of alternative policy actions to alleviate peak-period congestion.  The model also contributes to activity-based research by allowing a more realistic behavioral representation of the simultaneous disaggregate choice process underlying mode choice to work and choice of number of activity stops.  Mode choice is modeled by using a multinomial logit model and the number of stops is modeled by using an ordered-response formulation.  The joint model is applied to an empirical analysis using data from an activity survey conducted in the Boston Metropolitan area.  The results underscore the importance of accommodating the inter-relationship between mode choice to work and number of activity stops in the work commute.  The effects of a variety of congestion-alleviation measures are examined using the model.