Mode choice patterns and socio-spatial equity in contrasting transitional urban mobility systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/11740Keywords:
Urban mobility, Mode choice, Nested logit model, Sustainability, Land use, Transportation policyAbstract
This study explores a comparative analysis of mode choice behavior in Bundang and Ilsan, two distinct new towns in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, using Nested Logit Model (NL) to unravel how socio-demographic, trip-specific, and land-use variables interact with urban morphology to shape mobility preferences. By addressing the methodological limitations of traditional multinomial logit models, our NL framework incorporates hierarchical decision-making structures and mitigates the Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives (IIA) assumption, offering granularity in modeling multimodal substitution patterns. The analysis reveals stark contrasts: Bundang’s car dependency in low-density zones is driven by age and household dynamics, while Ilsan’s income-driven preferences for taxis and efficient public transit underscore the role of infrastructure equity. Further insights include the identification of gendered mobility disparities, women’s reliance on buses in Bundang versus men’s motorized dominance in Ilsan, and the quantification of nonlinear thresholds (e.g., 10-minute bus access limits) that dictate mode shifts. By integrating parcel-level land-use data, this study provides actionable levers for policymakers, such as equity-centered subsidies and transit-oriented land-use integration. The findings of the research challenge universalist assumptions in transportation economics, demonstrating that urban structure and localized norms mediate mobility behaviors, thereby offering a replicable framework for cities navigating the tension between rapid urbanization and sustainable transport systems.Downloads
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