Modeling the Impact of Traffic Information Acquisition From Mobile Devices During the Primary Tour of the Day

Abstract

In this study the impact of real-time travel information acquired through mobile devices on traveler behavior is investigated. The study takes into consideration individuals’ attitudes toward the use of smart mobile devices. The effect of traffic information acquisition in activity rescheduling is also considered. A case study was developed for the Athens Metropolitan Area, Greece, in 2009. A survey was conducted that included both revealed and stated preference data, as well as attitudes and perceptions of individual decision makers. This article focuses on the modeling and analysis of the stated preferences experiment conducted. An integrated error component latent variable model was estimated, predicting the probability of travelers’ switching behavior as a function of travel information and traffic information seekers through mobile devices. The analysis of the results indicates that traffic information seekers through mobile devices are more likely to switch travel behavior, while traffic information appears to affect the rescheduling of individuals' activities that in many cases is also accompanied by mode or route switching.