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Abstract: This paper presents the results of a series of mixed logit models focusing on the distribution of the values of travel time savings. The parametric assumptions include both normal and various bounded distributions derived from the normal (log-normal, Johnson’s S b and a censored normal). The full model, which also incorporates a number of time budget related variables, indicates that a small, but relevant share of the respondents might not value time savings, or would rather extend the journey. This share is consistent with results from other studies. A series of models for the different types of tours indicate even higher potential shares in situations with typically fewer binding time constraints. The RP data used is derived from the six week travel diary Mobidrive. The observations from Karlsruhe are summarised at the level of the tour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Public transport lines, especially train lines, have historically played an important role as economic lifelines of rural areas. They are one of the most important factors contributing to economic prosperity as they provide access to mobility for all the inhabitants of these regions. Maintaining such rural public transport lines can be a challenge due to the low utilization inherent to rural areas. Today, with the emergence of fully self-driving cars, on-demand mobility schemes in which autonomous robotic taxis transport passengers, are becoming possible. In this work, we analyze if rural public transport lines with low utilization can be replaced with autonomous mobility-on-demand systems. More specifically, we compare the existing public transportation infrastructure to hypothetical mobility-on-demand systems both in terms of cost and service level. We perform our analysis, which focuses on the operational aspects, using a simulation approach in which unit-capacity robotic taxis are operated in a street network taking into account congestion effects and state-of-the-art control (dispatching and rebalancing) strategies. Our study considers the case of four rural train lines in Switzerland that operate at low utilization and cost coverage. We show that a unit-capacity mobility-on-demand service with self-driving cars reduces both travel times and operational cost in three out of four cases. In one case, even a service with human driven vehicles would provide higher service levels at lower cost. The results suggest that centrally coordinated mobility-on-demand schemes could be a very attractive option for rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the first route choice model for bicyclists estimated from a large sample of GPS observations and overcomes the limitations inherent in the generally employed stated preference approach. It employs an improved mode detection algorithm for GPS post-processing to determine trips made by bicycle, which are map matched to an enriched street network. The alternatives are generated as a random sample from an exhaustive, but constrained search. Accounting for the similarity between the alternatives with the path-size factor the MNL estimates show that the elasticity with regards to trip length is nearly four times larger than that with respect to the share of bike paths. The elasticity with respect to the product of length and maximum gradient of the route is small. No other variable describing the routes had an impact. The heterogeneity of the cyclists is captured through interaction terms formulated on their average behaviour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Swiss federal government has asked the IVT, ETH Zürich in collaboration with the TU Dresden and Emch+Berger, Zürich to estimate origin–destination matrices by mode and purpose for the year 2000. The complex zoning system employing about 3000 zones required an algorithm which is fast, but also able to face generation, distribution and mode choice simultaneously. The EVA algorithm developed by Lohse et al. [Lohse, D., Teichert, H., Dugge, B., Bachner, G., 1997. Ermittlung von Verkehrsströmen mit n-linearen Gleichungssystemen unter Beachtung von Nebenbedingungen einschließlich Parameterschätzung (Verkehrsnachfragemodellierung: Erzeugung, Verteilung, Aufteilung). Schriftenreihe des Instituts für Verkehrsplanung und Straßenverkehr, H. 5/1997, Fakultät Verkehrswissenschaften “Friedrich List”, Technische Universität Dresden] was adapted for this purpose. The key properties of the algorithm are a disaggregate description of the demand, and its use of appropriate logit-type models for the demand distribution, while maintaining the known marginal distributions of the matrices generated. The algorithm calculates trip production and attractions by zone using activity pairs. The combined destination and mode choice models are estimated for the different traveller types and activity pairs. The paper derives and describes for the first time the EVA algorithm in English, including the solution method used. Second, it summarises the results of choice model estimation providing generalised cost elasticities of demand by purpose and traveller type. Third, it discusses the quality of the results by assessing the structure of the matrix against actual census data for road and rail traffic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]