What type of infrastructures do e-scooter riders prefer? A route choice model. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Wenwen; Buehler, Ralph; Broaddus, Andrea; Sweeney, Ted
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 94(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: E-scooter -- Route choice -- Recursive logit -- Revealed preference; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 354.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2021.102761
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9209

Abstract

Highlights: E-scooter route choices preferences on university campus. Revealed GPS route choice data. Route choice modeled using recursive logit model with dynamic choice sets. Bicycle friendly infrastructures and roads with low speed limits are preferred. Abstract: E-scooter is an innovative travel mode that meets the demand of many travelers. A lack of understanding of user routing preferences makes it difficult for policymakers to adapt existing infrastructures to accommodate these emerging travel demands. This study develops an e-scooter route choice model to reveal riders' preferences for different types of transportation infrastructures, using revealed preferences data. The data were collected using Global Positioning System units installed on e-scooters operating on Virginia Tech's campus. We applied the Recursive Logit route choice model to 2000 randomly sampled e-scooter trajectories. The model results suggest e-scooter riders are willing to travel longer distances to ride in bikeways (59% longer), multi-use paths (29%), tertiary roads (15%), and one-way roads (21%). E-scooter users also prefer shorter and simpler routes. Finally, slope is not a determinant for e-scooter route choice, likely because e-scooters are powered by electricity.