On Ride-Sharing: A Departure Time Choice Analysis with Latent Carpooling Preference

Abstract

This paper presents a departure time choice analysis, based on the notion of a latent carpooling preference. The study is based on combined revealed preference and stated preference survey data collected on the Maryland side of the Capital Beltway (I-495). A conditional logit model is estimated to identify drivers’ choice when tolls and congestion management strategies, including high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, are implemented. Then a latent class model accounting for heterogeneity across groups of drivers is proposed and estimated to examine the difference in behavioral preferences across groups. The latent class model reveals significant heterogeneity in drivers’ latent preference toward ride-sharing, which can potentially support ranges of transportation policy and incentive design related to congestion management strategies such as HOV/HOT lane usage.