Lidón Mars

Determinants of elimination decisions in the activity scheduling process

Abstract This paper presents an analysis on the determinants related to a particular rescheduling decision in the activity-travel scheduling process: elimination decisions, which consist in the non-execution of pre-planned activity-travel episodes. Data used come from an in-depth computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) follow up survey carried out during the implementation of the first wave of an activity scheduling process panel survey. Open-ended answers related to the reasons associated to changes between pre-planned and executed agenda are studied. First, an interpretative qualitative method based on analytic induction (AI) is used to cope with the complex nature of the rescheduling decision under study and the characteristics of the available data. Then, econometric models are used to analyze factors influencing those decisions and complement the qualitative analysis. The detailed qualitative and quantitative study of those decisions has resulted in the identification of several reasons associated to the elimination of activity-travel episodes from the activity agenda. Factors influencing those reasons have been explored.

Identification of determinants for rescheduling travel mode choice and transportation policies to reduce car use in urban areas

ABSTRACT This paper presents a qualitative analysis about the determinants related to rescheduling travel mode decisions during the activity scheduling process. Notably, we were interested to study changes between intention and behavior. Data used came from an in-depth Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) follow up survey to habitual drivers carried out during the implementation of a panel survey. An interpretative qualitative method based on Analytic Induction was used to cope with the complex nature of rescheduling decisions and the characteristics of the data. The Theory of Planned Behavior has been used to gain a better understanding of the reasons associated with rescheduling travel mode decisions and to obtain a possible explanation of the phenomena studied. In our sample, 12 codes were identified as the main determinants of travel mode changing. Main reasons for rescheduling a travel mode are different considering gender, age, and the type of travel mode change. Main reasons for changing a nonprivate preplanned travel mode to a private travel mode are different considering the type of travel mode preplanned. New determinants of rescheduling decisions different from those associated with other activity scheduling decisions previously identified emerge when analyzing travel mode changes. A number of important sustainable transportation policies to reduce car use in urban areas are derived from the results of this study.

Trip Characteristics Analysis of the Effects of a Travel Behavior Change Program

Travel behavior change programs (TBCP) are measures or actions specifically designed to motivate people to reduce their car use. This study contributes to the literature on rigorous evaluation of the effects of participating in TBCP. In particular, we analyze the effect of TBCP in relation to a potential for a reduction in car use. In contrast to previous studies, the effect of TBCP is analyzed considering two characteristics of the trip: travel companion and time of trip. The TBCP, consisting of three persuasion actions customized to the needs of the participants in the research, was designed and implemented in Valencia (Spain). To evaluate the effects of participating in the TBCP, a two-wave panel survey was carried out, which collected activity-travel scheduling process data from participants before and after the implementation of the TBCP. To properly identify the effects of taking part in the TBCP, participants were divided into two groups: those who were involved in the TBCP, and those who did not participate in any persuasion action (control group, CG). Descriptive and confirmatory analysis, which included the use of sample selection panel data models with treatment effects and random parameters, have been developed. The results suggest that the individuals most affected by participating in TBCP are those carrying out solo and afternoon trips. If traveling with companions, those who do so with household members are more influenced by participating in TBCP. Important research and transportation policy implications are derived from these results.