Travel Mode Determining Factors for Residents within the Catchment Areas of Urban Rail Transit Stations: Evidence from Nanjing, China

Abstract

Analyzing the travel mode choice behavior of residents within the catchment area of a rail station holds significant importance in optimizing the transportation structure and establishing a green transit–oriented system. This study collected travel survey data from residents living within the rail station catchment area in Nanjing, China. A multilevel indicator and multiple causes (MIMIC) model was constructed to analyze potential psychological factors influencing residents’ choice of travel mode. The cross-nested logit (CNL) model was employed to reveal differences in residents’ travel intentions and preferences for various modes of transportation. The results show that the convenience and comfort of rail transit are paramount to residents, and their perceptions of external barriers in the area proximate to the rail station directly shape their travel intentions and choices. Factors such as travel attitude, preference, subjective norms, and external obstacles all exert a positive influence on residents’ mode choice; preference exerts the least impact, whereas environmental perception is the most determinative.