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Examining the role of travel wellbeing on mode choice behavior in a developing country context

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  • Baro, Rimpi
  • Rao, K.V. Krishna
  • Velaga, Nagendra R.

Abstract

Metropolitan authorities have started developing metro systems to promote sustainable transportation in urban agglomerations, indicating a significant change in the modal share in the future. Previous research indicates that travel wellbeing (TWB) substantially impacts mode choice behavior. This study developed a novel TWB index from structural equation modeling of TWB and Quality of Life framework and examined the association of TWB alongside travel attributes with mode choice behavior using a combined revealed-stated preference (RP-SP) dataset of 1393 commuters in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India. A set of RP, SP, and two joint RP-SP mixed logit models (the latter with the decomposition of random coefficients) was developed to identify the role of TWB and travel attributes on mode choice behavior and to examine systematic preference heterogeneity for travel attributes across socio-economic groups. Results indicated that TWB positively influenced all the modes’ utilities, while travel time, cost, waiting time, transfers, and discomfort negatively influenced their utilities. Systematic heterogeneity results indicated that low-income and older commuters displayed higher sensitivity to travel costs, while males and younger commuters showed more sensitivity to transfers and waiting time, and low-income individuals were more sensitive to transfers. The implications for policy measures are discussed accordingly.

Suggested Citation

  • Baro, Rimpi & Rao, K.V. Krishna & Velaga, Nagendra R., 2026. "Examining the role of travel wellbeing on mode choice behavior in a developing country context," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:115:y:2026:i:c:s0739885925001775
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101694
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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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