Impact of Feeder Accessibility on High-Speed Rail Share: Wuhan–Guangzhou Corridor, China

Abstract

The location of a high-speed rail (HSR) station influences passenger flow distribution, land use pattern, and the ridership of a HSR. Therefore, the planning of HSR routes and stations requires special attention. This study aims to investigate the impact of feeder accessibility on HSR share along the Wuhan–Guangzhou corridor and explore individuals’ willingness to pay for feeder and trunk service. Moreover, characteristics of people who are inclined to choose HSR and air are studied. Because mixed logit (ML) can accommodate population heterogeneity, it is used to explain passenger behavior. Estimation results indicate that a lognormal ML model is significantly better than multinomial logit (MNL) and normal ML models in terms of goodness of fit. The value of willingness-to-pay from the lognormal ML model is also more reasonable. One Chinese yuan of feeder cost equals around CNY 5 of trunk cost, which can provide some implications for price decision-making. Finally, the sensitivity of intercity mode share change is tested. Sensitivity analysis also suggests that feeder accessibility is crucial in enhancing the ridership, and no winner is produced in the price battle between HSR and air.