Perceptions of comfort, convenience, and reliability for the work trip

Abstract

This research uses perceptual mapping techniques to examine the influence of comfort, conveniences, and reliability on the travel behavior of work travelers. Several studies have examined these variables individually, but no research has yet been performed that considers the use of all three notions in the context of one study so that the joint effect of these variables can be analyzed. A self-administered survey was distributed among work commuters in the northern suburbs of Chicago to collect the perceptual data needed to perform this analysis. By use of factor analysis, preference regression, and first-preference logit models, several conclusions were reaches: (a) People do not perceive comfort, convenience, and reliability as independent variables in selecting their mode of travel to work. Significant overlapping of these variables occurs in the public's perception of these notions. (b) Travelers do not perceive the comfort, convenience, and reliability of access and main modes in the same fashion. Each mode was perceived differently by the respondents. Thus, the use of a combined perceptual space to represent the underlying dimension for line-haul and access modes may lead to erroneous results. (c) Preference regression and first-preference logit modeling lead to almost identical results. Despite slightly higher estimation costs, the use of first-preference logit is recommended because of more efficient estimation properties. (Author)

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