This paper uses preferences and similarity judgments with respect to system characteristics of an integrated innovative urban transport system to better understand the demand for public transportation. This transport system concept embraces dual mode transit, personal rapid transit, and people mover vehicles. A major goal of this study is to identify if insights could be uncovered by segmenting a sample of respondents into homogenous perceptual groups. Three psychometric models are applied to a set of judgements from a set of respondents. The results from these models are used to cluster individuals into homogeneous population segments on the basis of common pattern of preferences. The patterns of preferences for the various groups are then linked to their socio-economic characteristics. The analysis provides some useful insights as to the socio-economic profiles of groups preferring automatic vehicle control, basic transport service and personal luxury service. These results make it possible to better understand the benefits derived by these user groups from different system alternatives.
Abstract