Intercity travel mode choice behavior based on the extended theory of planned behavior

The latent variables of perceived efficacy and perceived risk are introduced to enhance the theory of planned behavior in investigating the influencing factors of intercity travelers' mode choice behavior. A structural equation model is constructed to represent the relationship between five latent variables, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, perceived efficacy and perceived risk, and intercity travel mode choice intentions. This model analyzes the correlation between latent variables in four intercity travel modes of high-speed rail/bullet trains, ordinary trains, civil aviation and private cars. The results indicate that in the four intercity travel modes, the latent variables explain a total variance of 72%, 77%, 69% and 84% in the intention to choose intercity travel modes, respectively. The intention to choose intercity travel modes is significantly impacted by the varying degrees of travelers' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The latent variable of "perceived risk" has a significant negative impact on the intention to choose all four intercity travel modes, while "perceived efficacy" has a significant positive impact on "perceived behavioral control" across the four intercity travel modes. The research findings can provide a basis for optimizing the structure of intercity travel modes and for formulating policies for managing intercity transportation demand.