Increasing petrol prices impacting directly on consumers budgets have recently captured public attention and triggered wide interest in alternative fuel vehicles and new technology cars. However, due to unfamiliarity with the alternative technologies there seems to be inertia in the market to move away from the traditional petrol driven motor. This paper discusses a possible research method and presents results from an early pilot study. The aim is to assess the influence of various choice factors in the decision to purchase a new vehicle: type and size of vehicle, type of fuel, operating cost, vehicle purchase price, and cargo space; within a discrete choice model framework. The model also accounts for individual characteristics and latent lifestyle and belief factors. An online stated preference survey will be designed to collect the data. This is a report of the results of the paper-based pilot survey administered on a small sample of students at The University of Western Australia (UWA). Preliminary results confirm the a priori hypotheses regarding the negative impact of fuel price and vehicle price. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214133.
Samenvatting