Mode choice models developed thus far have not explicitly defined visitor mode choice and have therefore assumed that the mode choice characteristics of visitors are the same as residents. In areas such as the Gold Coast, Australia, visitors account for over 20 percent of the total population and provide public transport patronage levels equivalent to those of residents. With an increasing emphasis on attracting higher public transport mode shares, there is a need to understand the unique combination of factors which attract visitors to various types of transport during their stay. This paper outlines the results of the first phase of a two-phase visitor interview survey programme and uses some early results to highlight the transportation planning and policy implications associated with a better understanding of visitors mode choice characteristics. (A)
Samenvatting