Mode Choice Modelling of Different Categories of Work Trips in Thiruvananthapuram City

Abstract

Over the past few years, the rate of commuters using public transportation has drastically reduced, which has led to a rise in private vehicles with higher levels of traffic congestion, accidents, pollution, etc. The present study aims to identify major significant factors influencing the mode choice decisions of commuters working in Thiruvananthapuram city. The latent attributes influencing the mode choice decision were analysed using the semantic differential technique with a five-point bipolar adjective scale. In order to identify the key latent factors influencing commuters use of public transportation, exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Also, in order to statistically quantify the link between the founded latent variables and the observed variables, confirmatory factor analysis was also carried out. Latent variables integrated mode choice models were developed for different categories of work trips, such as government employees, private employees, and a combined set of employees using multinomial logistic regression. Reliability, convenience, comfort, and safety were identified as latent factors influencing the mode choice behavior of private employees and a combined set of employees. In the case of government employees, travel behavior also depends on their affinity for public transport. Latent variable integrated mode choice models were found to have a relevant role in the mode choice decisions of commuters. Mode choice models reveal that a unit percentage increase in latent variables will result in a considerable increase in the use of public transport services in Thiruvananthapuram city.