Modeling Destination Choice Behavior Incorporating Spatial Factors, Individual Sociodemographics, and Travel Mode

Abstract

Destination choice studies have been primarily carried out in developed countries. However in China, a typical developing country, few studies about destination choice exist. In this paper, we propose nonlinear-in-parameters multinomial logit models to investigate the influences of spatial factors on both work and intermediate stop destination choices. We use individual sociodemographics, travel-activity attributes, and land-use characteristics as exogeneous variables. Individual’s destination choice behaviors with different sociodemographics and travel modes are examined as well. The models are applied to data collected in the city of Shangyu, China. Compared with previous studies, this research further distinguishes the size variables influencing destination choices for work and intermediate stop in the type and the extent to which each type of size variables exerts influence. Besides, the preferences to destination choices are more clearly illustrated, resulting from the typical occupation characteristics and commuting modes of China.