Service trip generation modeling in urban areas

Abstract

Using modeling techniques as Ordinary Least Squares-OLS, this paper studies the main variables that affect service trip generation (STG) (production and attraction) by the service sector (e.g., maintenance, repairs) in commercial establishments located in urban areas of developing countries. Data obtained from Medellin Metropolitan Area (Colombia) origin–destination freight surveys conducted in 2017–2018 were used to analyze service trips for the first time in the region. This helped determine the number of produced and attracted service trips, average duration per service, most used modes of transport in service trips, and other characteristics that improve the understanding of how service trips work in urban areas This information might help in analyses of variables that mainly influence STG. To this effect, the authors estimated more than 30 service trip production and attraction models for establishments; these models depend on independent variables, such as employment, and establishment’s area. Finally, the freight community will benefit from these models because transport planners would analyze service trips as part of the freight and service activities in urban areas to contribute to improve the mobility using the models to plan better the transportation in the areas.