Mode Choice and Number of Non-Work Stops during the Commute: Application of a Copula-Based Joint Model

Commute mode choice and number of non-work stops during the commute are joint decisions that have interaction. If an individual chooses a vehicle for the commute, regarding restriction of that vehicle, could has some stops. On the other hand, if an individual need to has some stops, chooses a vehicle for commute regarding number of stops. In this study to consider the interaction between these decisions, we employed copula-based joint modeling framework.
The data used in this study is drawn from origin-destination travels data of Shiraz-Iran conducted in 1997. The commute mode choice modeling is undertaken using a multinomial logit model and the number of non-work stops is modeled using an ordered response formulation. To capturing interactive between these decisions several copula functions have been used. Results approve that mode and number of none-work stop choices are interrelated choices by estimating commonly observed factors and dependence parameters with high statistical significance. By determining common effective factors, we can analyze the current situation in the community. also, we can use results for forecasting future travel demand and set some policies leading to promoting trip chaining.