Built Environment versus Personal Traits: an Application of Integrated Choice and Latent Variable Model (ICLV) in Understanding Modal Choice in Rome, Italy

In spite of numerous applications of Integrated Choice and Latent Variable (ICLV) modelling in the field of transportation engineering, there is no published work applying it in studies of the effect of built environment on modal choice. This study uses an ICLV model to investigate the relative importance of built environment versus personal traits. It designs a quasiexperiment to elicit a better understanding of the causal effects of several urban form characteristics on modal choice. Findings suggest that built form can compete with the magnitude of the influence of personal traits, if all the urban form factors of design, local street network integration, population density and diversity be incorporated together. Otherwise, there would either be a trade-off in choosing what trip purpose we aim to focus on or there would be a very slight, if any, change in overall travel behavior.