IMPACT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES AND TRAVEL ENVIRONMENT ON PERCEPTION OF TRAVEL TIME: A CASE STUDY OF SURAT, INDIA

Abstract

Transport planners consider the travel time as the most important design and performance criteria for comparison of routes or road segments in realizing urban travel efficiency. It is the decisive tool for traffic operation and improvement measures in urban transport system. However, Perceived Travel Time (PTT) has gained more importance over the Measured Travel Time in recent time, as it is associated with drivers’ and commuters’ expressions on their traffic and route situation analysis rather than the measured one. Moreover they are to take decision on their travel plan, mode, and route choice etc. on their perception basis only. The present study focusses on the effect of socio-economic variables and the travel environment on their decisions by a study on a major traffic corridor in Surat, Gujarat for both peak and off-peak situations. Interestingly the inference is that except income there is no significant impact on perception of Travel Time. However, the traffic congestion level and physical environment prevailing have significant bearing on their judgements.