The effect of motorist information on commuter behavior: Classification of drivers into commuter groups

This paper describes a methodology originally devised for analysis of travel-activity patterns and applies it to commuters’ responses to the influence of traffic information upon commuting decisions. The method of cluster analysis was employed to identify commuter groups (from 3893 motorists who responsed to an on-road survey) with similar patterns of responsed to the influence of traffic information. The resulting groups were defined as (a) route changers, willing to change route both on Interstate 5 and before leaving; (b) non-changers, unwilling to change departure time, route, or mode of transportation; (c) route and time changers, willing to change route and departure time; and (d) pre-trip changers, willing to change departure time, route, or mode before departure but unwilling to change en route. Knowledge of such groups and their behavioral characteristics is useful in designing advanced traveler information systems that seek to affect commuter behavior and increase the efficiency of current transportation facilities. This paper discusses the methodology used to derive the commuter groups and investigates their commuting behaviors, decision-making processes, and information needs.