What determines commute time choices? A structural equation modelling approach

Abstract Many researchers have been attracted by the phenomenon of constant travel time, and the time spent on travel has been an important indicator of understanding travellers’ behaviours. This paper is based on a survey conducted in a university in London which includes both objective and subjective variables in relation to commute time and some demographic characteristics. Two conceptual structural models are examined in order to explore the factors determining travellers’ choices. Results of the analysis reveal some interesting relationships: (1) a positive relationship between age and commute time; (2) females are more likely to read or listen to music during their journeys, and their ideal commute time (ICT) and current commute time (CCT) generally tend to be longer; (3) academic staff tend to have the habit of working during their commute, administrative staff tend to commute longer while students tend to spend a shorter time commuting; (4) normally, a habit while travelling is significantly associated with CCT; those with a habit of reading or working during their commute journey tend to have longer commute times and (5) the relationship between CCT and commuters’ ICT and tolerable commute time is positive; both hypothesised causal relationships are significant so that a loop is formed between subjective and objective variables, and thus a dynamic modelling process could be envisaged as temporal sequences of those variables.

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