Traveler Responses to Service Level Changes and Variations During the Morning Peak Period

摘要

The study analyzed the importance of variations in transportation level of service over the course of the peak period of travel in urban areas, particularly with regard to travelers' departure time decisions. Such time-dependent service characteristics include transit waiting time, travel time, and service reliability. Management policies for transportation systems often involve direct or indirect influences on user departure time decisions and the level of congestion over time. Expansions to roadway facilities may result in additional bunching or peaking of departure times, so that the resulting reduction in congestion is less than would otherwise occur. Staggered work hours or peak period transit fares attempt to directly influence departure time decisions. A better understanding of the factors which influence departure time decisions and their relative importance should greatly aid the transportation system management and planning process. Attention was focused upon morning, peak period trips to work. Data on the extent of travel time peaking, variability in travel times, transit service, service reliability, and transit users' wait time variability in travel times, transit service, service reliability, and transit users' wait time variability are presented. Elasticities of mode choice and departure time decisions are calculated from estimated models. A variety of management policy changes are simulated and results estimated, including peak period toll and fare surcharges, capacity expansions, and increased transit service schedule reliability. Results of this study indicate that departure time decisions are more flexible than are mode choice decisions.