Understanding En-route Decisions: An Investigation of Motorcycle Riders' Route Switching Propensity

Abstract

Variable message signs are expected to minimize congestion by assisting drivers in making better routing decisions. In addition to filling the literature gap while considering the rapid growth of motorcycles, this study aims to investigate the primary attributes that affect the route-switching behavior of motorcycle riders. A stated preference experiment was performed to capture the en-route route choice in response to traffic information. The estimated parameters were accomplished by a binary logit model with respect to the two choices: stay or switch. The results revealed that riders prefer to deviate when the alternative route offers shorter distances, wider roads, less traffic, and lower travel times. Individual characteristics, including age, occupation, education, and habit of observing traffic information sources, significantly impacted. When route guidance was provided, riders had a strong propensity for route switching, leading to the research implication of distributing traffic flow to establish more balanced networks.