Workplace Choice Model: Comparison of Spatial Patterns of Commuting in Four Metropolitan Regions

Abstract

The paper analyzes the spatial patterns of commuting in four different metropolitan regions through the estimation of consistent disaggregate workplace location choice models based on household travel survey data. The regions include San Diego, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; and Chicago, IL. Each estimated model is included as a component in an activity-based travel model (ABM) developed for each region. The models were validated against aggregate journey-to-work flows based on Census data. The model structure and segmentation are discussed in detail with cross-comparison of the most critical model variables across the regions. In general, it was found that the suggested structure performs well in different regional conditions. The main behavioral findings in terms of differences of commuting patterns relate to income, full-time vs. part-time workers status, gender, and occupation. When segmented by these attributes the workplace choice model replicated the observed flows with a good level of accuracy without any additional calibration or k-factors. However, actual model coefficients proved to be significantly different from region to region, leading one to conclude that models of this type must be re-estimated for each region. Another important behavioral finding with corresponding modeling implications is that the impedance function for commuting is essentially non-linear with respect to trip length with many specific effects that relate to a variable marginal of time and cost in each distance range. This required a non-linear distance-decay function to be introduced to complement the mode choice which has more traditional linear mode utilities in time and cost variables.

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