Assessing planning decisions by activity type during the scheduling process

Existing activity-based models still make assumptions about scheduling decision processes that are not well-informed by empirical evidence. In this article, a step forward is taken to better understand the activity-scheduling process and to improve activity-based models. In particular, different planning decision mechanisms depending on several activity type classifications are explored. First, models describing the planning of several aggregate activity types are considered. For these activities, three planning decisions are studied: location, planning time horizon and rescheduling. The 'with whom' planning decision is also studied when subtypes of recreational/entertainment activities are investigated in depth. Significant differences are found in modelling results for each activity type and subtype and each planning decision. These results confirm the existence of different mechanisms underlying the activity-travel decision process when activity types and subtypes are considered. Important conclusions related to the improvement of microsimulation models are highlighted.Ruiz Sánchez, T.; Roorda, MJ. (2011). Assessing planning decisions by activity type during the scheduling process. Transportmetrica. 7(6):417-442. doi:10.1080/18128602.2010.520276S4174427

On the (ir)relevance of prospect theory in modelling uncertainty in travel decisions

\u3cp\u3eThis paper reflects on the relevance of prospect theory for transportation research. By discussing the original purpose and context of this theory of risky choice and the models that have been derived from the theory, the shortcomings and boundaries of the theory are discussed. It is argued that many applications in transportation and travel behaviour research may have stretched the domain of this theory too much, and that the theory lacks the necessary set of mechanisms and concepts to serve as a comprehensive theory of repeated travel choices under uncertainty. The discussion of shortcomings may serve to define a research agenda for further developing operational choice models.\u3c/p\u3

Kennismanagement: een hype?

No abstract

Spatial choice behaviour in different environmental settings : an application of the revealed preference approach

This paper is concerned with the idea of invariant preference structures. At the outset, it is argued that empirical tests on the transferability of preference functions to other regions are necessary to substantiate the claim that behavioural models represent valuable ways of assessing the impact of environmental planning programs. Subsequently, the findings of an empirical study of spatial shopping choice behaviour in two Dutch regions are considered. It is demonstrated that, using Rushton's preference scaling methodology, the preference functions pertaining to one group of respondents in one particular region can be used successfully to predict aggregate spatial shopping patterns of an entirely different group of respondents living in a completely different environmental setting

Multiattribute shopping models and ridge regression analysis

Policy decisions regarding retailing facilities essentially involve multiple attributes of shopping centres. If mathematical shopping models are to contribute to these decision processes, their structure should reflect the multiattribute character of retailing planning. Examination of existing models shows that most operational shopping models include only two policy variables. A serious problem in the calibration of the existing multiattribute shopping models is that of multicollinearity arising from the fact that strong linear relationships among policy variables frequently occur in real world situations. This paper points at the technique of ridge regression analysis to overcome the problem of multicollinearity in the development of multiattribute shopping models. The use of ridge regression analysis is illustrated in an application of the multiplicative competitive interaction model to spatial shopping behaviour