Examining individuals’ adoption of flex route transit

ABSTRACT

This study aims to comprehensively identify the contributing factors affecting the adoption of flex route transit. A survey was conducted in 2019, and a multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model was utilized to capture individuals’ preferences toward car, fixed route, and flex route transit. Subsequently, the multinomial logit model with attitudinal features is employed to identify the key factors influencing the shift from car or fixed route to flex route transit. Results indicate that several factors contribute to flex route transit adoption, with the top three being car restriction, travel cost, and age groups. Car restriction is positively associated with flex route transit adoption (marginal effects 11.67%). Travel costs (≥1.49 US$) and elderly groups also contribute to an increase in flex route transit adoption, with marginal effects of 9.18% and 8.01%, respectively. These findings provide insightful implications for decision-makers in identifying potential adopters and improving flex route transit adoption.

KEYWORDS:

• Flex route transit
• Adoption
• Contributing factors
• Attitudinal features
• Mode choice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 52272319]; The Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Major Special Innovation Consortium Project [grant number 21ZD3GA002]; Research on highway traffic situation evolution and prediction [grant number 22CX3GA067]; Research on key technologies for active traffic flow control on highways [grant number 2023-XFZ-03].