The Effects of Mode Perceptions on Intercity Mode-Choice Behavior in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The conventional mode choice models mostly consider quantitative variables in their model estimation although mode choice may be affected by the qualitative perception levels of service variables. This study aimed to investigate the effect of incorporating mode perception into the modeling of mode choice process for intercity travel in Saudi Arabia after developing and testing scales for quantifying the perceptions of mode privacy, convenience, comfort and reliability. In order to investigate the effects of mode perceptions, multinomial logit mode choice models were calibrated for business trips as well as social/recreational trips. This study reveals that the perception of mode comfort significantly affects the choice of the travelers for the mentioned three types of trips but perception of mode is significant for business trips only. The study concluded that it is not worthy to use these variables in planning stages due to the difficulty and cost in obtaining the mode perceptions. However, the variables could be quite useful in identifying deficiencies of the intercity modes as perceived by travelers and therefore could help operators in improving the required services.

Keywords: mode perception, mode choice.