What factors influence Chinese Women's nighttime ride-hailing preferences? An ICLV model analysis

With the rapid development of the ride-hailing industry and the rise of the nighttime economy, nighttime travel has become a new norm for urban residents in China. However, the security issues faced by women when using ride-hailing services at night have become increasingly prominent. Although existing studies have explored various factors influencing women's transportation mode choices, there remains a gap in research specifically addressing ride-hailing choices from a gender perspective. Furthermore, the factors influencing women's willingness to travel at night are still not sufficiently detailed or comprehensive, lacking an in-depth exploration of ride-hailing as a transportation option. To address these issues, this paper employs an integrated choice and latent variable model (ICLV) that combines discrete choice models and latent variable models, offering a multidimensional analysis of both the explicit factors and the latent psychological factors influencing women's decisions to utilize ride-hailing services at night. The study uses extensive survey data from a diverse group of women across different ages, professions, incomes, and living conditions to ensure comprehensive and representative data. The results indicate that factors such as marital status, car ownership, and living conditions significantly affect women's travel decisions. High-income women and those in specific occupations exhibit a greater propensity to choose ride-hailing services, highlighting the impact of income and social status on travel mode choices. Notably, younger women display heightened sensitivity to psychological factors, such as perceived risk, pleasure, and security, in their nighttime ride-hailing choices. This research enhances understanding of gender differences in ride-hailing and emphasizes the need to improve security, driver quality, and regulations. It provides insights for ride-hailing platforms and transportation authorities to develop better strategies for women's nighttime travel, supporting the sustainable development of the ride-hailing industry, and promoting gender equality and women's mobility.