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Stated preferences for investigating commuters' diversion propensity

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Abstract

A reasonable response to increasing traffic congestion may come from the rapidly developing traveler information systems. Such systems may be successful if they effectively influence drivers' enroute decisions; in this regard, a critical factor may be commuters' willingness to divert from their regular route in response to information about traffic congestion. This study evaluates the effects of real-time traffic information along with driver attributes, roadway characteristics and situational factors on drivers' willingness to divert.

The empirical portion of this study is based on a survey of downtown Chicago automobile commuters. The stated preference approach was used to study commuters' diversion propensity. Drivers expressed a higher willingness to divert if expected delays on their usual route increased, if the congestion was incident-induced as opposed to recurring, if delay information was received from radio traffic reports compared with observing congestion, and if trip direction was home-to-work rather than work-to-home. Respondents were less willing to divert if their alternate route was unfamiliar, unsafe or had several traffic stops. Socioeconomic characteristics were also significant in predicting willingness to divert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Berkeley, USA

    Asad J. Khattak

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Northwestern University, 1936 Sheridan Road, 60208, Evanston, IL, USA

    Frank S. Koppelman & Joseph L. Schofer

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  1. Asad J. Khattak
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  2. Frank S. Koppelman
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  3. Joseph L. Schofer
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Khattak, A.J., Koppelman, F.S. & Schofer, J.L. Stated preferences for investigating commuters' diversion propensity. Transportation 20, 107–127 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01307055

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