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Abstract
Discrete choice models have been in use for decades for mode choice and route choice analysis. These models provide valuable insights for the behaviour analysis of the individuals towards their choice of a transport mode and route. Choice set formation for the detailed and precise route choice analysis has been challenging for researchers in the past. In order to address that, this research develops and implements a unique web survey which also captures the attributes of the mode choice. This research focuses on the revealed preference information of the travellers for their last work/ study and shopping trip purposes. Google maps API (Application programming interface) which has the capacity to calculate and return both car routes and public transportation routes is employed to program the survey and to adaptively show the respondents the routes according to their reported origin and destination. Attributes related to the alternatives and socio-demographic variables are captured in the survey. Three different types of discrete choice models are developed on the data so as to provide useful insights of the traveller's preferences for route choice and mode choice attributes.
Due to the large number of route alternatives, the implementation of discrete choice models for route choice becomes equally challenging so as to avoid the potential bias which can arise when the analyst samples the alternatives from a large set. This research also addresses the problem by capturing the information on whether the respondent considered the route in addition to asking them about the route they used. The choice set of alternatives is formed by the respondents in this research and that can be compared with other sampling techniques. The estimations with the discrete choice models are then compared and analysed comprehensively. It is believed that this analysis can be useful to study the impact of size and composition of different route choice sets on the parameter’s estimates.