Mode Choice Modelling For Work Trips in Calicut City: Tushara T, Rajalakshmi P, Bino I Koshy
Mode Choice Modelling For Work Trips in Calicut City: Tushara T, Rajalakshmi P, Bino I Koshy
Mode Choice Modelling For Work Trips in Calicut City: Tushara T, Rajalakshmi P, Bino I Koshy
Abstract— Transportation modelling plays an important role The current study was to develop a comprehensive mode
in supporting transportation planning. Work trips are centre of choice model for Calicut City which will be capable to predict
focus of urban transportation planning and policy analysis. This modal shares of different modes of transport.
may causes congestion in peak hours in the urban transportation
The choice of a travel mode by the individual for
network. One of the important aspects of transportation modelling
is to predict the travel choice behaviour. The travel choice
home-to-work trip or even in case of other trips will involve
behaviour is also referred to as traveller mode choice, which is the complex decision making processes [3]. It will be influenced
most frequently modelled travel decision. It involves a specific by the attributes of the person and the characteristics of the
aspect of human behaviour dedicated to choice decisions. With a urban transport systems. A multinomial logit model with
model, as simplified representation of a part of reality provides a statistical data processing software SPSS was used for
better understanding and interpreting of these complex systems. explaining travel patterns and mode choice of employees
This paper investigates mode choice behaviour of employers in residing in Calicut city. It is widely used model in the discrete
Calicut city. A multinomial logit model (MNL) with statistical
choice model and it has many computational advantages. For
data processing software SPSS was used for explaining travel
patterns and mode choice of employees residing in Calicut city. a traveller in a City, the available modes and route choices for
MNL model was developed and identified the factors influencing a trip are sometimes numerous.
the mode choice of work trips.MNL is widely used model in the
discrete choice model and it has many computational advantages. II. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Calicut is the one of the developing city in the state of
Index Terms— MNL model, Mode choice, Utility, work trips,
Kerala; the offices and main activity are located in the centre
employees.
of the city. Different types of modes are using for various
activity like work trips, school trips, leisure trips etc.
I. INTRODUCTION
Demands for both private and public transport have been
Transportation modelling plays an important role in increasing day by day. Without understanding the traveler‟s
supporting transportation planning. One of the major roles of needs and preferences it‟s very difficult to make solutions for
transportation modelling is to forecast travel demand based present conditions in the city. This study may be helpful to
on changes in the transportation system. There are different find mode choice behavior of work trips in the city. The
types of models that have been developed to create actual limited number of studies dealing with work trips suggests
travel patterns of people and existing demand conditions. The that these also play a significant part in the choice of transport
models are used to predict changes in travel pattern and mode for this type of trips.
utilization of the transportation system in response to changes This study focused on home-to-work trip and work to home
in land-use, demographics and socio-economic conditions [1]. trips. This group of travellers is one of the largest in number
Work trips are centre of focus of urban transportation and they may create congestion in peak hours. It enables to
planning and policy analysis. This may causes congestion in understand travel demand behavior to work trips and
peak hours in the urban transportation network [1]. One of the constraints that travelers face. The study identified the factors
important aspects of transportation modelling is to predict the effecting mode choice for work trips and also make model for
travel choice behaviour. The travel choice behaviour is also work trips in the city of Calicut.
referred to as traveller mode choice, which is the most
frequently modelled travel decision. It involves a specific III. OBJECTIVES
aspect of human behaviour dedicated to choice decisions.
The main objective of this thesis is,
With a model, as simplified representation of a part of reality
provides a better understanding and interpreting of these To identify the various variables that influences the mode
complex systems. Calicut city has selected for study for this choice behaviour of employees.
modelling purpose. This paper investigates mode choice To develop a model of travel mode choice for work trip
behaviour of a work trip for employers in Calicut city. Mode in Calicut City.
choice model is a principal component of travel demand
analysis [2]. The city consists of different categories of people IV. LITERATURE REVIEW
living in different zones and mode selection also depending As far as mode choice is concerned, the results highlight the
upon various factors like age, income, comfort [3]etc. importance of contextual and individual factors besides mode
characteristics (travel time, cost and comfort). The car
Manuscript received on August, 2013.
ownership decision is found to be mostly related to income
Ms. Tushara T, Department of Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute levels of the households, contextual constraints and location
of Technology, Kottayam, India. issues. The mode choice modelling to work has the central to
Ms. Rajalakshmi P, Department of Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi the evaluation of the efforts to mitigate traffic congestion [4].
Institute of Technology, Kottayam, India.
Dr Bino I Koshy, Department of Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi
Work trips in any urban area are always at the centre of focus
Institute of Technology, Kottayam, India. in urban transportation planning and policy analyses.
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International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-3, Issue-3, August 2013
C. Theoretical Foundation function of the systematic portion of the utility of all the
alternatives [8].
Multinomial Logit Model
To understand the relations between characteristics and VI. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
mode choice of the employees, a multinomial logit model Table II represents descriptive statistics on the
(MNL) is applied to distinguish the difference among the demographic profile of employees. 514 data collected, from
mode usage of these three categories of employees[7]. MNL this 14 are rejected due to missing values and other reasons,
is the simplest and most popular practical discrete choice 500 data were taken for the analysis of work trips.
model; it is based on the random utility theory that each option
Aj Ɛ A has associated a net utility Ujq for individual. It is Table II Descriptive statistics on the demographic profile of
assumed that Ujq has two components, employees
U jq V jq jq
This includes a measurable part Vjq and a random part Ɛ jq. Demographic Variable Category Frequency Percentage (%)
The measurable part is Vjq considered as a function of 0 18-35 231 46.2
measured attributes x; thus Vjq is often formulated as a linear 1 36-45 165 33
combination of x, such as the following: Age 2 Over 45 104 20.8
Vj X 0 Female 163 32.6
jq kj jkq
Gender 1 Male 337 67.4
Where the parameter θ are often assumed to be the same. 0 Govt. 113 22.6
Based on the hypothesis of rational choice, Probability of 1 Private 242 48.4
alternative i chosen by individual q can be formulated as: Occupation 2 Self 145 29
Pn e Vn /( e Vm ) 0 Low 1000-15000 42 8.4
m M Income 1 Medium 15001-45000 339 67.8
Pn is probability that the individual select the mode n Level 2 High >45000 119 23.8
Vn is utility of mode n
Vm is utility of any mode A. Preliminary analysis result
M is set of all available travelers mode The age level of employees was from 18 to 65 and the
The closed form of the MNL is to estimate (maximum average age in the sample was about 45. Of the three groups,
likelihood estimation procedure), interpret and use. The the 18-35 age range occupied the highest proportion (46.2%),
MNL model was developed. For development of the models, while the second and the third accounted for 33% and
the following choices were considered in the universal choice 20.80%, respectively. From the 500 employees, there were
set: car, two-wheeler, bus, auto and walking. Two-wheeler 163 female employees (approximately 32.6%) while male
was taken as base mode. TIME (total travel time in Minutes) employees accounted for slightly above 67.4%.
and COST (total travel cost) were the obtained for each of the About the occupation of employees, out of 500
five modes. Travel time and travel cost represent mode respondents, 113 employees (22.6%) worked in government
related attributes; all other things being equal, a faster mode offices, 242 worked in private sector (48.4%) and 145 were in
of travel is more likely to be chosen than a slower mode and a business(29%) sector. Finally, monthly individual income of
less expensive mode is more likely to be chosen than a costlier employees in the sample is also displayed in Table 2. The
mode. income level between employees was from 1000 to 150000
Multinomial logit models are used to model relationships and the average income in the sample was about 75000. Of
between a polytomous response variable and a set of regressor three groups, the 15001- 45000 (medium income) income
variables. The term “multinomial logit model” includes, in a range occupied the highest proportion (67.8%), while the first
broad sense, a variety of models. The cumulative logit model (1000-15000) and the third (>45000) accounted 8.4% and
is used when the response of an individual unit is restricted to 23.8%, respectively.
one of a finite number of ordinal values[8]. 4.2.1 Travel Mode Chosen by Employees
The specific assumptions that lead to the Multinomial Logit The employees were chosen set of alternatives, such as:
Model are (1) the error components are extreme-value (or car, two-wheeler, bus, auto rickshaw and walk. They were
Gumbel) distributed, (2) the error components are identically coded as follows: 1 =car, 2 = two-wheeler, 3 = bus, 4 = auto
and independently distributed across alternatives, and (3) the and 5 = walk. In the model, each employee must choose one
error components are identically and independently mode, of the five travel modes. Two-wheeler is chosen as the
distributed across observations/individuals[8]. reference alternative because majority of employees choosing
Assumptions are discussed below, this mode than other mode for work trips. Fig 9 shows mode
The most common assumption for error distributions in the split of employees in city. The distribution of mode split
statistical and modeling is that errors are distributed normally. shown in Table III.
There are good theoretical and practical reasons for using the Table III Mode split
normal distribution for many modeling applications. The
Gumbel distribution is selected because it has computational Mode Frequency Percent
advantages in a context where maximization is important, Car 46 9.2
closely approximates the normal distribution and produces a Two wheeler 313 62.6
closed-form probabilistic choice model. The three Bus 130 26
assumptions, taken together, lead to the mathematical
Auto 10 2
structure known as the Multinomial Logit Model (MNL),
which gives the choice probabilities of each alternative as a Walk 1 0.2
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SPSS Statistics is a software package used for statistical variable (modal choice) can be explained by the estimated
analysis and is now officially named "IBM SPSS Statistics". MNL regression model. Thus, it can be concluded that the
SPSS is a comprehensive and flexible statistical analysis and MNL model fits the sample data well.
data management solution. SPSS can take data from almost The Cox and Snell R2 measure operates like R2, with higher
any type of file and use them to generate tabulated reports, values indicating greater model fit. This measure is limited in
charts, and plots of distributions and trends, descriptive that it cannot reach the maximum value of 1. So Nagelkerke
statistics, and conduct complex statistical analyses. The proposed a modification that had the range from 0 to 1.
software is used for developing models like: Nagelkerke‟s measure is relied for indicating the strength of
1. Multinomial Logit models the relationship.
2. Nested Logit models
3. Random parameter logit models Table IV Pseudo R- Square
4. Probit models
5. Artificial Neural Network models. Pseudo R-Square
B. Multinomial logit model Cox and Snell 0.735
Multinomial logit models are used to model relationships Nagelkerke 0.896
between a polytomous response variable and a set of McFadden 0.773
regression variables. Logistic regression can be extended to
handle responses that are polytomous, i.e. taking r > 2 Likelihood ratio test (Table V) indicates the contribution of
categories. (The word polychotomous is sometimes used, but the variable to the overall relationship between the dependent
this word does not exist) .When analyzing a polytomous and individual independent variable in differentiating
response, it is important to note whether the response is between the groups specified by the dependent variable. The
ordinal (consisting of ordered categories) or nominal likelihood ratio test is a hypothesis test that the variable
(consisting of unordered categories) [8]. Some types of contributes to the reduction in error measured by the -2 log
models are appropriate only for ordinal responses; other likelihood statistic In this model, the variables time, cost,
models may be used whether the response is ordinal or waiting time, income, two-wheeler ownership, age and gender
nominal. If the response is ordinal, we do not necessarily have contributes significantly to explaining the mode choice.
to take the ordering into account, but it often helps if we do. Table V Likelihood ratio test
Using the natural ordering can of the above models; the
MNL is the simplest and most popular model [9]. The Effect Model Likelihood Ratio Tests
important assumption of this model is that the random Fitting
components of the utilities of various alternatives are Criteria
independently and identically distributed (IID). This -2 Log Chi-Square df Sig.
hypothesis creates several advantages in applications because Likelihood
calculation of choice probabilities, presentation, and of Reduced
interpretation of the parameters are easy [1] However, Model
because the IID assumption is often violated (i.e., the
Intercept 191.328 0 0 .
similarities amongst alternatives in a choice set are ignored) in
practice, the applications of the MNL are limited (McFadden, Time 379.188 187.86 2 0.000
1978) [10]. To overcome part of this limitation, researchers Cost 413.623 222.295 2 0.000
have proposed an application of the NMNL model in which Waiting time 201.296 9.967 2 0.007
the random components of the utility function are correlated Income 207.439 16.111 2 0.000
within each of the groupings [8] The MNL model is TW
lead to a simpler ownership 207.184 15.856 2 0.000
more economical model and Age 201.291 9.963 4 0.041
Increase the power to detect relationships with other
Gender 224.043 32.715 2 0.000
variables.
C. Model result Table VI shows the model fitting information about the
The discrete choice data was analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 model. This is the Likelihood Ratio (LR) Chi-Square test that
MNL program. 514 samples were collected, from this 25 at least one of the predictors' regression coefficients is not
samples are rejected due to missing values and other reasons, equal to zero in the model. The LR Chi-Square statistic can be
489 samples were taken for model formulation. The program calculated by -2xL(null model) - (-2xL(fitted model)) =
ran with different models using various attributes to ascertain 841.213 – 191.328 = 649.885 where L(null model) is from
the essential attributes to the model. Of the attributes selected, the log likelihood with just the response variable in the model
two separate models (with the intercept only and with all the (Intercept Only) and L(fitted model) is the log likelihood
coefficients) were run using the same MNL analysis. from the final iteration with all the parameters. This test is
Estimation results of the MNL model are displayed in analogous to the F-test for R2 value in multiple regressions
Table VIII. According to the results obtained, the relationship which test whether or not the improvement in the model
between the modal choice variable and the set of independent associated with the additional variables is statistically
variables is significant. The MNL model is much better than significant. In this model, chi-square value of 649.885 has
only a constant model. Further, it has a relatively high significance (0.000) and is less than 0.001, so there is a
pseudo-R2 value of 0.896 (Table IV), indicating that significant relationship between the dependent variable and
approximately 89.6% of the variation in the dependent the set of independent variables
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p-value of 0.673., hence it would not significant to accept the transportation system provides inefficient, unproductive, and
null hypothesis and conclude that the commuters are less unsafe level of services. To maintain the economic viability of
likely to prefer bus as their mode than two-wheeler. this city and to keep its environment sustainable, an energy
The p- value for age and income are greater than 0.05, and efficient mass transportation system is imperative.
hence these are not significant Results of the multinomial logit model analysis
The empirical utility functions for different mode are: demonstrated that these five factors (age, gender, income time
V (CAR) = -5.213 – 0.211(TT) +0.166(TC) +2.689 (INC) - and cost) were strongly related to considerations of the
2.131(AGE=0) - 2.311(AGE=1) employees of their travel. The sign of each coefficient
V (BUS) = -0.512 +0.319 (T.T) -0.438 (T.C) +2.44 (WT) - generated in the MNL model is convincible and consistent
3.179(TW) +2.700(GEN=0) with the hypothesis. In terms of the hypothesis the mode
The prediction success of the model is given in Table IX. choice of workers affected mainly by time and cost.
The validation run was also made with the same model In Calicut the Two -wheelers are used by most of road users
specification. The model was calibrated for data set of 326 for their trip purposes. Thus empirical results in this study do
cases and validated using hold-out sample of 163. identify the relations between mode choice and characteristics
of employees in Calicut city.
Table IXClassification (Prediction success)
B. Conclusion
Observed Predicted
1 2 3 Percent A mode choice model was developed for work trip for
Correct Calicut city. Age, gender, income, time and cost are proved to
1 62 14 0 81.60% be the significant factors that influence the mode usage of the
2 10 165 10 89.20% employees, and the model of employee‟s mode choice
formulated in this study is also convincible. This work trip is
3 1 15 98 86.00%
essentially an attempt to identify the various variables that
Overall 19.50% 51.70% 28.80% 86.70%
influences the mode choice behaviour of employees. The
Percentage
investigation was conducted through a comprehensive
analysis of geographic, transportation, and personal statistics,
The result of validation is aggregated in Table X. The
principally with the aid of the logit model.
overall correctly predicted percentage indicates the percent of
Findings from this study can be summarized as follows:
cases where the actual choices and the predicted choices of
Main factors influencing work trip of employees are age,
the individuals match. The present model is 92% accurate; the
gender, income, waiting time, two-wheeler ownership,
difference is only 5.3%, which is excellent or good.
time and cost.
Employees (62.8%) would choose two-wheeler for their
Table X Classification (Validation Success)
trip.
Observed Predicted
Bus is chosen by females who are not having driving
1 2 3 Percent
licence of car or Two-wheeler.
Correct
Differences were found between female and male for
1 22 6 0 78.60%
selecting the mode for their work trips, the female
2 2 225 4 97.40%
(19.4%) tend to choose bus but male (55%)are preferring
3 0 14 53 79.10%
two wheeler for their work trip.
Overall 7.40% 75.20% 17.50% 92.00%
The age group 18-35 is choosing two- wheeler (32.2%)
Percentage
for their work trip purposes and followed by bus and car.
Age group (>45) are choosing car for their work trip
VIII. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION
purposes, it may be due to the comfort of the journey.
A. Discussion The Medium income level people ,46.2% of employees
are using two wheeler and 18.2% are selecting bus as
The Multinomial logit model for mode choice analysis of their mode and very less number of people choosing car
work trips was developed. The significant deterministic as a mode, i.e. less than 10%.Lower income groups were
variables include the total travel time and travel cost for each choosing bus and two- wheeler for their work trips.
mode of transport. The utility ranking and probability of
Regarding vehicle ownership, 56.6 % of employees
choosing modes, the two-wheeler is always at the top level
having one car and 84.6% having one two-wheeler.
because of it less fuel consumption, followed by the bus. The
Auto and Walk are found to be less (<5%) popular
utility for buses necessarily does not indicate users‟
among the working groups.
willingness to prefer the service, rather it may represent that
people are forced to use that mode of transport due to
IX. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
unavailability of suitable alternatives before them. It implies
that the improvement of this system will attract people who The authors owe thanks to all people for their support during
choose their mode as private car. the making of the paper. We would also like to thank the
The business activities and offices are locating in the centre faculty of Department of Civil Engineering at Rajiv Institute
of the city, these leads traffic congestion and other Technology, Kottayam for their kind patronage and
environmental problems. The existing transportation system encouragement that made this paper possible
is a major bottleneck for the development of the city.
Unplanned urbanization, especially poor transportation REFERENCES
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