Quantifying Significance of Young Traveler Characteristics in Travel Mode Choices Impacted by E-Hailing Services

Abstract

Traditional travel modes have been slowly losing their market share to e-hailing services, especially among younger generations. This paper examines characteristics of young travelers’ travel mode choice, with various e-hailing modes described and modeled. A stated preference survey was conducted in Nanjing, China. A total of 314 valid responses were collected from young travelers from 16 to 35 years old. Descriptive statistics illustrate the transition details of the mode choices for interviewees of different genders, income levels, and educational levels. A cross-nested logit (CNL) model was employed to analyze the relationship between impact factor and young travelers’ mode choice behaviors, compared with two nested logit models. Factors, including personal profile and different scenario conditions, were examined. Comparison results indicated that the CNL model was statistically superior to the other two models. It was found that young travelers who were male, higher education level, lower income, rigid trip purpose, and long distance were more likely to choose e-hailing services. The modeling results also revealed the expected negative impacts to factors such as male, lower education, rigid trip purpose, and long distance on bus service, and adverse weather on taxi service.