Social influences in the context of parking: An exploratory study using a stated choice approach

• Parking attributes are tariff, walking distance, facility type, and security level. • Social network is represented by Family, friends, colleagues, and others. • Evaluations of more than 600 respondents are analyzed using a mixed logit model. • When choosing a parking facility, car drivers are also by their social environment. This paper presents an exploratory study of social influences in the context of car drivers’ parking choice behavior. The influence of parking attributes and a car driver’s social network is measured using a stated choice approach. In an online questionnaire various hypothetical parking facilities are presented to respondents. Four attributes are included to describe parking facilities: parking tariff, walking distance between parking facility and final destination, type of parking facility, and security level. The social network of car drivers is represented by family, friends, colleagues, and others. The evaluations of more than 600 respondents are analyzed using a mixed logit model. The model analysis shows that when choosing a parking facility, car drivers are not only influenced by parking attributes but also by their social network.