IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transa/v138y2020icp37-50.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How attractive is it to use the internet while commuting? A work-attitude-based segmentation of Northern California commuters

Author

Listed:
  • Choi, Sungtaek
  • Mokhtarian, Patricia L.

Abstract

We explore how the hypothetical provision of Wi-Fi on transit affects the willingness of non-transit commuters (solo drivers, ridesharers, and cyclists) in Northern California (N = 1402) to switch from their current mode to public transit with internet access (PTWIA). Beyond the prima facie interpretation of our survey results, they shed light on the heterogeneously-perceived utility of hands-free travel more generally, and, as such, speak to an automated-vehicle future. We develop latent class binary choice models of the likelihood of switching to PTWIA, stratified by current commute mode. Each model identifies two latent classes, based largely on work-related attitudes: solo drivers divide into the work-oriented (22%) and pleasure-oriented (78%); ridesharers into the over-traveled monotaskers (77%) and multitasking commuters (23%); and cyclists into work-oriented (28%) and non-work-oriented (72%). Thus, non-work-oriented commuters are a sizable majority of non-transit users, and also have a much lower weighted probability of switching to PTWIA (0.17, on average) compared to the work-oriented commuters (0.48). In sum, work-friendly hands-free travel can be an appealing alternative to those who are oriented toward working (and especially on the commute), but (1) not for all of them, and (2) such people only constitute about a quarter of the non-transit commuters (in Northern California). These results provide empirical insight into the extent to which the productive use of travel time made possible by automated vehicles will be exploited by future commuters.

Suggested Citation

  • Choi, Sungtaek & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2020. "How attractive is it to use the internet while commuting? A work-attitude-based segmentation of Northern California commuters," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 37-50.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:138:y:2020:i:c:p:37-50
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2020.05.007
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856420305899
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tra.2020.05.007?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Salomon, Ilan, 2001. "How derived is the demand for travel? Some conceptual and measurement considerations," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 695-719, September.
    2. Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 1990. "A Typology of Relationships Between Telecommunications And Transportation," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt4rx589m0, University of California Transportation Center.
    3. Maren Outwater & Greg Spitz & John Lobb & Margaret Campbell & Bhargava Sana & Ram Pendyala & William Woodford, 2011. "Characteristics of premium transit services that affect mode choice," Transportation, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 605-623, July.
    4. Malokin, Aliaksandr & Circella, Giovanni & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2019. "How do activities conducted while commuting influence mode choice? Using revealed preference models to inform public transportation advantage and autonomous vehicle scenarios," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 82-114.
    5. Gurumurthy, Krishna Murthy & Kockelman, Kara M., 2020. "Modeling Americans’ autonomous vehicle preferences: A focus on dynamic ride-sharing, privacy & long-distance mode choices," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    6. Kouwenhoven, Marco & de Jong, Gerard, 2018. "Value of travel time as a function of comfort," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 97-107.
    7. Lyons, Glenn & Jain, Juliet & Weir, Iain, 2016. "Changing times – A decade of empirical insight into the experience of rail passengers in Great Britain," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 94-104.
    8. Jain, Juliet & Lyons, Glenn, 2008. "The gift of travel time," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 81-89.
    9. Zheng, Zuduo & Washington, Simon & Hyland, Paul & Sloan, Keith & Liu, Yulin, 2016. "Preference heterogeneity in mode choice based on a nationwide survey with a focus on urban rail," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 178-194.
    10. Mark Wardman & Phani Chintakayala & Chris Heywood, 2020. "The valuation and demand impacts of the worthwhile use of travel time with specific reference to the digital revolution and endogeneity," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 1515-1540, June.
    11. Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2016. "Discrete choice models’ ρ2: A reintroduction to an old friend," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 60-65.
    12. Lyons, Glenn & Jain, Juliet & Holley, David, 2007. "The use of travel time by rail passengers in Great Britain," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 107-120, January.
    13. Susan Kenyon, 2010. "What do we mean by multitasking? – Exploring the need for methodological clarification in time use research," electronic International Journal of Time Use Research, Research Institute on Professions (Forschungsinstitut Freie Berufe (FFB)) and The International Association for Time Use Research (IATUR), vol. 7(1), pages 42-60, October.
    14. Greene, William H. & Hensher, David A., 2003. "A latent class model for discrete choice analysis: contrasts with mixed logit," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 681-698, September.
    15. Zhi Dong & Patricia Mokhtarian & Giovanni Circella & James Allison, 2015. "The estimation of changes in rail ridership through an onboard survey: did free Wi-Fi make a difference to Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor service?," Transportation, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 123-142, January.
    16. Neufeld, Amanda J. & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2012. "A Survey of Multitasking by Northern California Commuters: Description of the Data Collection Process," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt9f49x4h8, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    17. Bouscasse, Hélène & de Lapparent, Matthieu, 2019. "Perceived comfort and values of travel time savings in the Rhône-Alpes Region," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 370-387.
    18. Lyons, Glenn & Urry, John, 2005. "Travel time use in the information age," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 39(2-3), pages 257-276.
    19. Gaurav Vyas & Pooneh Famili & Peter Vovsha & Daniel Fay & Ashish Kulshrestha & Greg Giaimo & Rebekah Anderson, 2019. "Incorporating features of autonomous vehicles in activity-based travel demand model for Columbus, OH," Transportation, Springer, vol. 46(6), pages 2081-2102, December.
    20. Giovanni Circella & Patricia L. Mokhtarian & Laura K. Poff, 2012. "A conceptual typology of multitasking behavior and polychronicity preferences," electronic International Journal of Time Use Research, Research Institute on Professions (Forschungsinstitut Freie Berufe (FFB)) and The International Association for Time Use Research (IATUR), vol. 9(1), pages 59-107, November.
    21. Imre Keseru & Cathy Macharis, 2018. "Travel-based multitasking: review of the empirical evidence," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(2), pages 162-183, March.
    22. Banerjee, Ipsita & Kanafani, Adib, 2008. "The Value of Wireless Internet Connection on Trains: Implications for Mode-Choice Models," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt3bv6g5pm, University of California Transportation Center.
    23. Tang, Wei & Mokhtarian, Patricia L, 2009. "Accounting for Taste Heterogeneity in Purchase Channel Intention Modeling: An Example from Northern California for Book Purchases," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt9mg5s5g8, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    24. Molin, Eric & Adjenughwure, Kingsley & de Bruyn, Menno & Cats, Oded & Warffemius, Pim, 2020. "Does conducting activities while traveling reduce the value of time? Evidence from a within-subjects choice experiment," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 18-29.
    25. Banerjee, Ipsita & Kanafani, Adib, 2008. "The Value of Wireless Internet Connection on Trains: Implications for Mode-Choice Models," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt8kf2t753, University of California Transportation Center.
    26. Jia Tang & Feng Zhen & Jason Cao & Patricia L. Mokhtarian, 2018. "How do passengers use travel time? A case study of Shanghai–Nanjing high speed rail," Transportation, Springer, vol. 45(2), pages 451-477, March.
    27. Bounie, Nathan & Adoue, François & Koning, Martin & L'Hostis, Alain, 2019. "What value do travelers put on connectivity to mobile phone and Internet networks in public transport? Empirical evidence from the Paris region," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 158-177.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Shao, Rui & Derudder, Ben & Yang, Yongchun & Witlox, Frank, 2023. "The association between transit accessibility and space-time flexibility of shopping travel: On the moderating role of ICT use," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    2. Aliaksandr Malokin & Giovanni Circella & Patricia L. Mokhtarian, 2021. "Do millennials value travel time differently because of productive multitasking? A revealed-preference study of Northern California commuters," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 2787-2823, October.
    3. Kim, Sung Hoo & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2023. "Finite mixture (or latent class) modeling in transportation: Trends, usage, potential, and future directions," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 134-173.
    4. Pudāne, Baiba & van Cranenburgh, Sander & Chorus, Caspar G., 2021. "A day in the life with an automated vehicle: Empirical analysis of data from an interactive stated activity-travel survey," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    5. Sungtaek Choi & Sangho Choo & Sujae Kim, 2020. "Is the Relationship between Transportation and Communications Industries Complementary or Substitutional? An Asian Countries-Based Empirical Analysis Using Input-Output Accounts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-21, April.
    6. Schmid, Basil & Molloy, Joseph & Peer, Stefanie & Jokubauskaite, Simona & Aschauer, Florian & Hössinger, Reinhard & Gerike, Regine & Jara-Diaz, Sergio R. & Axhausen, Kay W., 2021. "The value of travel time savings and the value of leisure in Zurich: Estimation, decomposition and policy implications," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 186-215.
    7. Sujae Kim & Sangho Choo & Sungtaek Choi & Hyangsook Lee, 2021. "What Factors Affect Commuters’ Utility of Choosing Mobility as a Service? An Empirical Evidence from Seoul," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    8. Al-Garawi, Najah & Kamargianni, Maria, 2021. "Women's modal switching behavior since driving is allowed in Saudi Arabia," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    9. Lee, Jaehyung & Lee, Euntak & Yun, Jaewoong & Chung, Jin-Hyuk & Kim, Jinhee, 2021. "Latent heterogeneity in autonomous driving preferences and in-vehicle activities by travel distance," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shamshiripour, Ali & Rahimi, Ehsan & (Kouros) Mohammadian, Abolfazl & Auld, Joshua, 2020. "Investigating the influence of latent lifestyles on productive travels: Insights into designing autonomous transit system," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 469-484.
    2. Aliaksandr Malokin & Giovanni Circella & Patricia L. Mokhtarian, 2021. "Do millennials value travel time differently because of productive multitasking? A revealed-preference study of Northern California commuters," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 2787-2823, October.
    3. Tang, Jia & Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Zhen, Feng, 2020. "How do passengers allocate and evaluate their travel time? Evidence from a survey on the Shanghai–Nanjing high speed rail corridor, China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    4. Muhamad Rizki & Tri Basuki Joewono & Dimas B. E. Dharmowijoyo & Prawira Fajarindra Belgiawan, 2021. "Does multitasking improve the travel experience of public transport users? Investigating the activities during commuter travels in the Bandung Metropolitan Area, Indonesia," Public Transport, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 429-454, June.
    5. Malokin, Aliaksandr & Circella, Giovanni & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2019. "How do activities conducted while commuting influence mode choice? Using revealed preference models to inform public transportation advantage and autonomous vehicle scenarios," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 82-114.
    6. Molin, Eric & Adjenughwure, Kingsley & de Bruyn, Menno & Cats, Oded & Warffemius, Pim, 2020. "Does conducting activities while traveling reduce the value of time? Evidence from a within-subjects choice experiment," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 18-29.
    7. Bounie, Nathan & Adoue, François & Koning, Martin & L'Hostis, Alain, 2019. "What value do travelers put on connectivity to mobile phone and Internet networks in public transport? Empirical evidence from the Paris region," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 158-177.
    8. Mark Wardman & Phani Chintakayala & Chris Heywood, 2020. "The valuation and demand impacts of the worthwhile use of travel time with specific reference to the digital revolution and endogeneity," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 1515-1540, June.
    9. Imre Keseru & Cathy Macharis, 2018. "Travel-based multitasking: review of the empirical evidence," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(2), pages 162-183, March.
    10. F. Atiyya Shaw & Aliaksandr Malokin & Patricia L. Mokhtarian & Giovanni Circella, 2021. "Who doesn’t mind waiting? Examining the relationships between waiting attitudes and person- and travel-related attributes," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 395-429, February.
    11. Jinhyun Hong & David Philip McArthur & Mark Livingston, 2019. "Can Accessing the Internet while Travelling Encourage Commuters to Use Public Transport Regardless of Their Attitude?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-10, June.
    12. Pawlak, Jacek & Polak, John W. & Sivakumar, Aruna, 2017. "A framework for joint modelling of activity choice, duration, and productivity while travelling," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 153-172.
    13. Chiara Calastri & Jacek Pawlak & Richard Batley, 2022. "Participation in online activities while travelling: an application of the MDCEV model in the context of rail travel," Transportation, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 61-87, February.
    14. Anciaes, Paulo & Jones, Peter, 2020. "Transport policy for liveability – Valuing the impacts on movement, place, and society," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 157-173.
    15. Kouwenhoven, Marco & de Jong, Gerard, 2018. "Value of travel time as a function of comfort," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 97-107.
    16. Sun, Shanshan & Wong, Yiik Diew, 2023. "Drivers’ attention economy and adoption to autonomous vehicle," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 108-118.
    17. Pudāne, Baiba & van Cranenburgh, Sander & Chorus, Caspar G., 2021. "A day in the life with an automated vehicle: Empirical analysis of data from an interactive stated activity-travel survey," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    18. Lyons, Glenn & Jain , Juliet & Susilo , Yusak O. & Atkins, Steve, 2013. "Comparing rail passengers’ travel time use in Great Britain between 2004 and 2010," Working papers in Transport Economics 2013:17, CTS - Centre for Transport Studies Stockholm (KTH and VTI).
    19. Le, Huyen T.K. & Buehler, Ralph & Fan, Yingling & Hankey, Steve, 2020. "Expanding the positive utility of travel through weeklong tracking: Within-person and multi-environment variability of ideal travel time," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    20. Aguiléra, Anne & Guillot, Caroline & Rallet, Alain, 2012. "Mobile ICTs and physical mobility: Review and research agenda," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 664-672.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:138:y:2020:i:c:p:37-50. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/547/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.