Route choice refers to the process of selecting the most appropriate path to take from one location to another, based on a variety of factors such as distance, travel time, cost, safety, and convenience. In transportation planning and engineering, route choice is an important consideration for designing and optimizing transportation networks and systems.
Route choice behavior is influenced by a variety of factors, including the characteristics of the available paths, the traveler’s personal preferences and constraints, and the external factors that affect travel demand and supply.
For example, a traveler may choose a route that is shorter in distance but has more traffic congestion because they value minimizing travel time over avoiding congestion. Alternatively, a traveler may choose a longer route with less congestion if they prefer a more scenic or less stressful drive.
Route choice models are used to estimate and predict the behavior of travelers when making route choices. These models use data on the characteristics of the available paths, as well as information on the traveler’s preferences and constraints, to estimate the probability of a traveler choosing a particular route.
The two key principles in trip distribution are:
- Gravity Model – “Big produces/attracts more”: This principle states that the number of trips between two zones is proportional to the size, or “attractiveness,” of the zones and inversely proportional to the distance between them. In other words, larger zones produce and attract more trips, and shorter distances between zones also produce more trips. The gravity model is based on the concept that people are more likely to travel to larger and more attractive destinations, such as commercial centers, employment centers, and cultural attractions.
- Spatial Interaction Model – “Nearby attracts more”: This principle states that the number of trips between two zones is directly proportional to the accessibility or “connectivity” between the zones. In other words, zones that are closer together or have better transportation connections between them produce more trips. The spatial interaction model is based on the concept that people are more likely to travel to destinations that are closer and more easily accessible, such as neighborhoods, local stores, and public transit stops.
These principles remain, independent of the analogy or framework chosen
These two principles are often used together in trip distribution modeling to estimate the number of trips between different zones in a transportation network. By considering both the size and attractiveness of zones and their accessibility to each other, transportation planners can better understand travel demand and design more efficient transportation networks and systems.
Route choice models can be applied to a variety of transportation modes, including driving, biking, walking, and public transit. The results of these models can inform transportation planning and engineering decisions, such as the design of new roads or the placement of new transit routes, in order to optimize the performance and efficiency of the transportation system.
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FD Planning Community Forum Discussion
- Land Use Transport Integration and Density of Urban Growth Toolkit
- Integration of Land Use and Transport Planning
- Introduction – Modelling Transport – Ortuzar Willumsen
- Mathematical Prerequisites from Modelling Transport
- data and space from Modelling Transport
- Trip Generation Modelling from Modelling Transport
- Modal split and direct demand models from Modelling Transport
- Discrete choice models from Modelling Transport
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