Abstract:A statistical analysis of commuters' route choice behavior and the influence of traffic information is presented. The analysis is based on a 1992 computer-aided telephone interview survey of Los Angeles area morning commuters. Cross tabulations were performed on the data to explore interrelationships among variables and provide a basis for subsequent model estimation. Two sets of models were estimated: bivariate probit models of whether individuals follow the same route to work every day and whether they receive traffic information (pretrip or en route) and negative binomial models of the frequency of route changes per month on the basis of pretrip and en route traffic reports. The estimation results underscore the important relationship between the use of traffic information and the propensity to change routes. In addition, important relationships are uncovered relating to the influence that commuters' socioeconomic characteristics and the level of traffic congestion they face has on traffic information use and route change frequency.