Publication Detail
Using GIS Capabilities to Improve the Understanding of Route Choice Behavior
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UCD-ITS-RR-97-11 Research Report Download PDF |
Suggested Citation:
Abdel-Aty, Mohamed A. and Paul P. Jovanis (1997) Using GIS Capabilities to Improve the Understanding of Route Choice Behavior. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-97-11
It is important to determine the factors that influence drivers' route choice. Gaining an understanding of these factors will help improve network analysis and hence the transportation planning process. It will also be very critical in determining the type and content of traffic information that will help drivers in their route choice decisions.
Minimizing travel time is considered the most important criterion affecting drivers' route choice as found by Duffell and Kalombaris [1988], Huchingson [1977], and Wachs [1967]. Also, directness [Huchingson, 1977] and less congestion [Wachs, 1967] were among the important reasons. Wachs [1967] concluded that socioeconomic and demographic characteristics do not clearly relate to attitudes toward route choice criteria, while Jou and Mahmassani [1994] and Mannering et al. [1994] found that socioeconomic characteristics together with the traffic network were important determinants of route changing behavior.
The data collected from the third phase of route choice surveys (mail survey) is used in this effort. The survey probed the factors that lead a commuter to use his primary route. In the questionnaire the respondent was presented also by a customized minimum path route from his origin to his destination using a GIS, and questions related to his familiarity with the network and his perceptions followed (refer to Abdel-Aty et al., 1995 for description of the survey's design). The data were supplemented by objective attributes gathered using the GIS and network databases.
Minimizing travel time is considered the most important criterion affecting drivers' route choice as found by Duffell and Kalombaris [1988], Huchingson [1977], and Wachs [1967]. Also, directness [Huchingson, 1977] and less congestion [Wachs, 1967] were among the important reasons. Wachs [1967] concluded that socioeconomic and demographic characteristics do not clearly relate to attitudes toward route choice criteria, while Jou and Mahmassani [1994] and Mannering et al. [1994] found that socioeconomic characteristics together with the traffic network were important determinants of route changing behavior.
The data collected from the third phase of route choice surveys (mail survey) is used in this effort. The survey probed the factors that lead a commuter to use his primary route. In the questionnaire the respondent was presented also by a customized minimum path route from his origin to his destination using a GIS, and questions related to his familiarity with the network and his perceptions followed (refer to Abdel-Aty et al., 1995 for description of the survey's design). The data were supplemented by objective attributes gathered using the GIS and network databases.