Modeling Mode Choice of Low-Income Commuters with Sociodemographics, Activity Attributes, and Latent Attitudinal Variables: Case Study in Fushun, China

Low-income residents are dependent on fewer options for travel and have restricted mobility. This study examines the mode choice of low-income commuters based on an activity-based travel survey in Fushun, China. A model of integrated choice and latent variables was utilized to construct and test the significance of sociodemographics, activity attributes, and latent attitudinal variables. More specifically, a “multiple indicators, multiple causes” model was used to construct the latent variables postulated to be important for travel mode choice, and a multinomial logit model was employed to test the significance of explanatory variables. Results indicate that gender, age, and driving license possession play an important role in the formation of these underlying factors: comfort, convenience, reliability, flexibility, safety, and environmental preferences. On several accounts the latent-variable-enriched choice model outperforms the traditional choice model and provides insights into the importance of unobservable variables in the choice process. Preferences for the latent variables except flexibility are found to exert a significant influence on the mode choice of low-income commuters. Reliability is shown to be helpful in increasing the likelihood that low-income commuters will choose public transit. The sociodemographics and activity attributes also have important effects on the choice process. Findings should provide useful information to policy makers and transportation planners to improve the mobility of low-income commuters.