A Development of Mode Choice Models for Modal Shift Potential Towards Intermodal Transportation: A Case Study of Vientiane - Boten Railway

Abstract

In this paper, the modal shift potential of travelers and freight on the Kunming-Bangkok route has been investigated by considering the behavioral aspects of long-distance travel. Due to the necessity for transportation infrastructure, the railway mode will be added to the various transport mode options in the region, shortening the seamless movement of travelers and freight from Kunming to Bangkok. In order to investigate long-distance travel (LDT) behavior, a Mode Split Model has been employed for analyzing the mode choice and modal shift of travellers, based on the development of new transportation infrastructure. The factors considered in the Mode Split Model are total cost, travel and transportation time, transfer time, distribution time, and frequency of service. The results show that the crucial factors for selecting transportation mode are transfer time and distribution time in the case of travelers in the area of the Vientiane–Boten railway. Based on the crucial factors, 45 – 55 percent of all modes will shift to the railway mode. However, the important factors for selecting transportation mode are total cost and travel time in the case of travelers not in the Vientiane–Boten railway area. Private vehicles would be selected for this case. Besides the total cost and transportation time, frequency of service is also a crucial factor for LSP in selecting the transportation mode, where there is a 30-40 percent mode shift from truck mode to railway mode.