Abstract
A model of trip chaining in a linear city is developed in this study using the concepts of time-space prism and utility maximization. The unique features of the model include the following: (a) The potential utility of the time spent at home is evaluated using the area of the prism formed by the sojourn at home; and (b) The concept of the fixed utility is introduced as a measure of the benefit derived by the action of returning home. Several properties of a worker's choice of a trip chain were derived. These include that the more the duration of the activity, the distance between the work and home location, or the speed of the travel mode used, the more the home-based trip chain chosen. This result agrees with empirical data. One of the important findings is that the size of the prism significantly influences a worker's choice of a trip chain. Future directions of research are also discussed.
