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Title:

Exploring the Positive Utility of Travel and mode choice: Subjective well-being and travel-based multitasking during the commute

Accession Number:

01697614

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

In contrast to traditional approaches of transportation analysis, the Positive Utility of Travel (PUT) concept encompasses both intrinsic motivations for travel (and for traveling in certain ways) and non-destination-oriented benefits of the act of traveling. There are two major types of benefits: those from positive travel experiences (subjective well-being) and those from in-travel activity participation (travel-based multitasking). The PUT concept has rarely been examined in mode choice analysis due to measurement challenges for non-chosen alternatives. This research investigates associations between mode choice and these two PUT dimensions (well-being and multitasking) using a novel revealed preference study in which PUT attributes were measured for chosen as well as for alternative modes. Data from a survey of around 550 commuters in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area were analyzed using an integrated choice and latent variable mode choice model. Results found a strong and positive association between a commonly-used measure of hedonic travel SWB (the Satisfaction with Travel Scale) and mode choice; results for travel-based multitasking were more ambiguous. Findings suggest that travelers may consider experiences and expectations regarding their well-being and happiness when choosing a commute mode, but also that travel-based multitasking may be more about “killing time” than making productive use of it. This study is among the first to demonstrate revealed preference evidence consistent with measures of the positive utility of travel concept having a direct impact on mode choice behavior.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADB10 Standing Committee on Traveler Behavior and Values.

Report/Paper Numbers:

19-04289

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

Authors:

Singleton, Patrick A

ORCID 0000-0002-9319-2333

Pagination:

7p

Publication Date:

2019

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2019-1-13 to 2019-1-17
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

References; Tables

Uncontrolled Terms:

Subjective well being

Geographic Terms:

Portland (Oregon)

Subject Areas:

Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2019 Paper #19-04289

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Dec 7 2018 9:32AM