Joint analysis of mode and travel-based multitasking choices in Mumbai, India

Utilising data collected from the city of Mumbai, India, this study aims to understand the effects of common unobserved variables associated with the joint choices of mode and travel-based multitasking. Random components representing common unobserved variables, simultaneously influencing both mode and travel-based multitasking choices, were introduced in the utility formulations of the joint discrete choice model. In addition, the relative magnitudes of the influence of these common unobserved variables on the total variance of utility differences were calculated. The results showed that common unobserved variables that influence both the paratransit mode choice and information and communication technologies (ICT)-based multitasking choice explained 11.04% of the variance in the utility of choosing the paratransit mode, relative to private vehicles. Meanwhile, the random component common to the bus mode choice and ICT-based multitasking choice explained 12.04% of the variance in the utility of choosing a bus relative to a private vehicle, while the random component common to train choice and non-ICT-based multitasking choice explained 9.88% of the variance in the utility of choosing a train relative to a private vehicle. The contributions of the unobserved variables were compared with the contributions of the observed household, individual, travel, and ICT-related variables. Finally, the study concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of the findings, limitations of the work, and directions for future research.