A Preliminary Analysis of Motorcycle Route Choice Behavior in Response to Traffic Information

Route choice analysis plays a significant role in multiple transportation applications. Numerous factors, such as road attributes, trip features, individual characteristics, and external stimuli, may impact the preferences of road users, particularly motorcyclists. Literature indicates that the provision of traffic information may increase the efficiency of road usage, ultimately resulting in more balanced traffic flows on networks. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effect of variable message signs, along with a ramp metering policy, on motorcyclists' route choice behaviors. The taste of heterogeneity across individuals was also explored in the binary logit model structure based on the results of the stated preferences survey. The model specifications revealed that traffic flow conditions significantly affect motorcyclists' route choice decisions, however, the estimated waiting time at the ramp of a major road was found to have no influence. Furthermore, these characteristics, including driving frequency, driving style, license ownership, gender, education, income, and travel purpose, were discovered to influence the motorcyclists' route decisions. The current research is considered an initial step leading to an improved understanding of how motorcyclists may respond to implemented policies and provided traffic information, which in turn serves as a fundamental reference in proposing traffic regulations and management strategies.