Geographic Transfer of Travel Choice Models: Evaluation and Procedures

This paper reviews research results which evaluate model transferability and methods of updating in transfer application. Early expectations that disaggregate choice models would be generally transferable across a wide range of application contexts are not supported bv research studies. indeed, the reported level of transferability varies across model types and specification and differences in transfer contexts. These studies also indicate that methods of transfer model adjustment are very effective in both increasing the average level of transfer effectiveness and decreasing the variability of transfer effectiveness across specifications and contexts. This review establishes the need for additional research to identify the effect on transfer effectiveness of differences in model type and specification and differences in characteristics of transfer contexts. It also establishes the importance of adopting updating procedures when employing model transfer.