Variables influencing transport mode choice: a generalized cots approach

The decision variables that influence transport mode choice are numerous. From a careful appraisal of the literature review it appears that two main typologies of variables can be identified: costs related to the transport of the goods and other service’s attributes that play a crucial role in the selection. Each of these two categories has been already revised in previous researches and some fundamental findings are reported in this paper as a preliminary base for the development of the present study. The analysis of the literature review will revise the internal costs variables, or out of pocket money, and the influence of qualitative attributes as decision variables. The paper will conclude with a review of the external costs and their hypothetical internalization in the calculation of transport cost. The paper will be organized as follows: a literature review on elements affecting mode choice, the third paragraph will deal with the methodological approach of generalized cost function that will be applied in paragraph four on the selected corridors. Some conclusions and further recommendations for research will terminate the paper.