Analysis of Modal Split for Long Distance Travel Behavior

Abstract

Mode choice or modal split is the fourth step of transportation planning. The step discuss with the mode choice behavior of road user for a particular set of origin and destination node specified to particular route. Modal split depends on travel cost, travel time, convenience and comfort. There are some other factors which may influence mode choice behavior of road users. Mode choice for long distance travel is different than daily short distance trip. Long distance trips are conducted by the road users for once or twice a week or month and it is not frequent. On contrary, short distance trips are regular and road user do the trips once or more than twice sometimes in a day. Few previous studies have been performed on long distance modal split behavior of trips. No prior studies have been conducted in context of Bangladesh. Our study is unique in this point of view. We have considered four routes around Dhaka city. We have done questionnaire survey for Dhaka to Chittagong route, Dhaka to Sylhet route, Dhaka to Khulna route and Dhaka to Rajshahi route. We have done stated preference survey on 302 respondents. The respondents are of several age group, income level, occupation and gender group. The independent variables of our study are, Travel time, Travel cost, Comfort, Safety, Reliable Journey time, Stop/station closer from origin, Stop/station closer to destination, Availability of tickets and Flexibility of schedule. The dependent variable is mode choice preference. In this study our alternative modes are intercity bus and intercity train. We developed artificial neural network (ANN) model to rank the importance of the variables. The variables ranking and its importance will be used by the city transportation planner for policy making.