A new generation of travel demand models based on individual micro-simulation of activities and travel has opened the way for more detailed analysis and modeling of vehicle use. However, the first activity-based models - both those applied in practice as well as activity-based model systems developed as research projects - inherited the simplified approach to car allocation and use with no distinction between vehicle types and certainly no explicit modeling of allocation and use of individual vehicles by the household members. Structural modeling of car use by vehicle type is essential for air quality and other environmental issues. We also foresee further developments of more elaborate policies (toll roads, area pricing, parking restrictions, etc) that would differentiate by vehicle size, type, and occupancy. The current paper is intended to outline a modeling approach to this issue pursued by the authors that can be incorporated in a framework of operational travel model, as well as report the results of estimation for a model of car type choice based on a comprehensive household survey undertaken in the Atlanta, Georgia, region in 2001. For the covering abstract please see ITRD E135207.
Abstract