A discrete choice analysis of user preferences in micromobility transportation

Abstract

Abstract Throughout the years, the increasing interest in environmentally friendly urban transportation has prompted a focus on micromobility solutions. The increasing urbanization and associated congestion, pollution, and resource depletion have spurred a focus on micromobility solutions as a potential remedy. This study aims to comprehend the preferences guiding the selection of micromobility modes among urban residents in Budapest, Hungary. Through a well-structured questionnaire and rigorous statistical analysis using the multinomial logit (MNL) model, such influential factors are examined as safety, availability, cost, and environmental friendliness. By constructing hypothetical scenarios including varied micromobility alternatives, it is observed that attributes such as availability, environmental friendliness, and safety exert positive influence on user preferences. Conversely, travel cost impacts the mode preference negatively. The interplay of attributes offers intriguing insights. For instance, the positive correlation between safety and environmental friendliness suggests that urban residents prioritize modes offering both security and sustainability. Of particular significance, electric bikes stand out as the favored choice, highlighting their effectiveness within the specific context studied. This study offers insightful perspectives on micromobility preferences and enriches the broader discourse on sustainable urban transportation.

Keywords

• Micromobility
• User preferences
• Discrete choice modeling
• Urban transportation
• Sustainability