In two experiments, participants chose between staying on a main route with a certain travel time and diverting to an alternative route that could take a range of travel times. In the first experiment, travel time information was displayed on a sheet of paper to 15 men and 15 women aged 18-30 (mean age 23.1) seated at a desk. In the second experiment, the same information was displayed in a virtual environment through which 21 men and 9 women aged 18-30 (mean age 24.9) drove. Overall, participants were risk-averse when the average travel time along the alternative route was shorter than the certain travel time of the main route but risk-seeking when the average travel time of the alternative route was longer than the certain travel time along the main route. In the second experiment, in which cognitive load was higher, participants simplified their decision-making strategies. A simple probabilistic model describes the risk-taking behavior and the load effects. Applications of this research include the development of efficient travel time information systems for drivers.
Abstract