Mode choice behaviour of students, integrating residential location characteristics: a study from Kochi City, India

Abstract

Mode choice decision of individuals plays a vital role in transportation planning. Individual travel behaviour models can be improved by extending the set of influencing variables used for modelling. In a developing country like India, students contribute a major share of total travel demand especially during morning and evening peak hours of traffic; whose individual travel characteristics are very less studied by transportation professionals. This paper presents exploratory and statistical analysis of mode choice behaviour of students in Kochi City, India. The socio-demographic characteristics, activity-travel behaviour as well as residential location characteristics of students during a usual working day is collected using activity-travel survey data, in Kochi Municipal Corporation. Preliminary analysis gives details on daily activity-travel pattern, mode choice preferences and other particulars of commuters in the study area. Statistical models were developed for understanding the factors affecting mode choice decision and separate mode choice models are also developed for different categories of students. Simulation of choice probabilities over different attributes is also done to identify the potential policy variables that can promote the use of sustainable modes.