Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
There is also variability in the time allocated for different travel activities (trip
purposes). For example, more time is spent for work trips than non-work travel.
In the New York Metro area work trip took an average of 33 min and non-work
trips 20 min [
3
].
Trip Purpose
: some trips (e.g., work) tend to use a larger share of the travel time
budgets than other trips (e.g., convenience shopping).
Physical Ability
: to enter, ride, and exit the vehicle/mode.
Affordability
: the choice of mode is often based on its trip cost. Affordability is
related to the disposable income of the traveler.
Driver
'
s License
: only those of legal age are allowed to obtain a driver
'
s license.
Those who cannot drive can only use private vehicles as passengers.
10.2.2 Availability of Travel Modes
Many modes of travel are usually available to people living in metropolitan areas.
They include walking, bicycles, private vehicles, taxis, schedule-based public transit
(including: buses, street cars, light rail, bus and rail rapid transit, commuter rail and
ferry). The modes chosen are among those that will satisfy travelers
requirements/
need. However, in specific neighborhoods all modes might not be available. Transit
coverage is limited in many suburban areas. Rapid transit lines are sometimes too far
from where people live, and some households do not own automobiles.
'
10.2.3 Modal Characteristics
Key modal characteristics that in
uence the choice of private and public transport
include frequency, operating speed, reliability, out-of-vehicle travel time, door-to-
door travel
fl
time,
trip cost, perceived safety, barrier-free access, and comfort/
convenience.
Frequency
: how often the service is available during a particular time of day. It is
an indicator of waiting time and travel mode convenience.
Operating Speed
: faster modes provide greater trip mobility than slower ones.
Reliability
: modes/routes with stable speeds are preferred to those which
experience variability in speed.
Out-of-Vehicle Travel Time
: this is the time spent walking to/from vehicles and
waiting for vehicles, while on the trip. Travelers value excess travel time from 2 to
2.5 times the value of line-haul travel time. Thus an excess trip time of 10 min is
equivalent to a line-haul travel time of 20
-
25 min.
Trip Cost
:
out-of-pocket trip costs: fare, toll charges, parking charges, fuel, etc.
vehicle ownership costs: purchase/lease, maintenance, insurance, etc.,
