On Modelling Route Choice Sets in Transportation Networks: A Synthesis

Abstract

This article reviews a number of topics related to the modelling and generation of route choice sets, specifically for applications in large networks. It synthesizes existing knowledge using a conceptual framework, and addresses in what respects route choice differ from other travel choices. It shows that it is advantageous to distinguish the processes of choice set formation and choice per se, but also to explicitly separate the modelling steps of choice set generation and choice modelling. The article discusses the various purposes for which route choice sets may be used and what these mean for practical choice set modelling. A generic conceptual scheme is presented relating the distinct key elements of the known route choice set generation approaches aimed at their classification and characterization. Some indications for their empirical validity are presented derived from applications to various uni‐modal and multi‐modal networks.

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful for valuable comments from Otto A. Nielsen, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Rob van Nes, Delft University of Technology. The synthesis owes much debt to the doctoral thesis research of Stella Fiorenzo‐Catalano and Sascha Hoogendoorn‐Lanser.

Additionally, the article benefited much from valuable comments and suggestions from anonymous reviewers.