The use of Stated Preference techniques in the quantitative analysis of travel behaviour

This paper introduces a relatively recent development in transport research known as ‘Stated Preference’ (SP) techniques. It provides a definition of the most widely used SP techniques, referred to as ‘conjoint analysis’, and outlines the need for such methods as a viable enhancement to established ‘Revealed Preference’ (RP) approaches. The basic principles of the design, application and analysis of SP techniques are described, and some of the principal current issues are identified. As a demonstration of how SP techniques can be used to compliment demand models based on RP data, an application to the valuation of travellers’ preferences towards a new rail-based urban public transport system is included. It describes the models used in the study and the design of the SP experiment, which was conducted on lap-top computers. The results of the SP Curvey, and the subsequent demand forecasts are then presented.