Commuters’ preferences for fast and reliable travel: A semi-parametric estimation approach

Authors

Paul R. Koster
Hans R.A. Koster

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2015

Subject Area

ridership - commuting, economics - value of time, operations - reliability

Keywords

Local maximum likelihood, Latent class, Semi-parametric logit, Normalised entropy criterion, Value of time, Value of reliability

Abstract

We employ a semi-parametric estimation approach to analyse observed and unobserved heterogeneity in the value of savings in travel time and schedule delay. Our econometric approach allows for the estimation of unobserved and observed heterogeneity in preferences in a flexible way, meaning that we do not put any structure on how individual characteristics (such as income and age) relate to the value of savings in travel time and schedule delay. Using data from a stated choice experiment, we illustrate the estimation approach and find that there is substantial heterogeneity in the value of savings in travel time and schedule delay. For our data, we find that unobserved heterogeneity is more important than heterogeneity related to individual characteristics.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part B Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01912615

Recommended Citation

Koster, P.R., & Koster, H.R.A. (2015). Commuters’ preferences for fast and reliable travel: A semi-parametric estimation approach. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Available online 4 June 2015. In Press, Corrected Proof.