Development of Structural Equation Model for Travel Mode Choice Behaviour of Working Population in Thiruvananthapuram City

Abstract

During recent years, the rate of commuters using public transportation has drastically reduced, which has led to a rise in private vehicles with higher levels of traffic congestion, accidents, pollution, etc. Primarily, the factors that attract and deter passengers from using public transport must be identified. The present study attempted to develop a structural equation model for exploring the effect of latent attributes on the travel mode choice decisions of the working population in Thiruvananthapuram City. The existing socio-economic and travel patterns of the working population were studied by conducting a revealed preference survey. The unobservable attributes influencing the mode choice decisions were analysed by using the semantic differential technique with a five-point bipolar adjective scale. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify major latent parameters influencing commuters’ attitudes towards public transport, and confirmatory factor analysis was done to statistically estimate the relationship between observed variables and latent variables. The major latent attributes identified were reliability, convenience, comfort, and safety. The structural equation model developed using Smart-PLS software indicated that major latent constructs such as reliability and convenience have the most profound influence on travel mode choice decision of commuters. Evaluation of public transport improvement policies identified from an expert opinion survey shows that about a 10% increase in latent variables such as convenience and reliability lead to 3.1% and 5.5% increase, respectively, in the mode share of the public transport system in Thiruvananthapuram City.