An investigation on the performances of mode shift models in transit ridership forecasting

This paper aims at investigating the over-prediction of public transit ridership by traditional mode choice models estimated using revealed preference data. Five different types of models are estimated and analysed, namely a traditional Revealed Preference (RP) data-based mode choice model, a hybrid mode choice model with a latent variable, a Stated Preference (SP) data-based mode switching model, a joint RP/SP mode switching model, and a hybrid mode switching model with a latent variable. A comparison of the RP data-based mode choice model with the mode choice models including a latent variable showed that the inclusion of behavioural factors (especially habit formation) significantly improved the models. The SP data-based mode switching models elucidated the reasons why traditional models tend to over-predict transit ridership by revealing the role played by different transit level-of-service attributes and their relative importance to mode switching decisions. The results showed that traditional attributes (e.g. travel cost and time) are of lower importance to mode switching behaviour than behavioural factors (e.g. habit formation towards car driving) and other transit service design attributes (e.g. crowding level, number of transfers, and schedule delays). The findings of this study provide general guidelines for developing a variety of transit ridership forecasting models depending on the availability of data and the experience of the planner.     

A comprehensive dwelling unit choice model accommodating psychological constructs within a search strategy for consideration set formation

This study adopts a dwelling unit level of analysis and considers a probabilistic choice set generation approach for residential choice modeling. In doing so, we accommodate the fact that housing choices involve both characteristics of the dwelling unit and its location, while also mimicking the search process that underlies housing decisions. In particular, we model a complete range of dwelling unit choices that include tenure type (rent or own), housing type (single family detached, single family attached, or apartment complex), number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, number of storeys (one or multiple), square footage of the house, lot size, housing costs, density of residential neighborhood, and commute distance. Bhat’s (2015) generalized heterogeneous data model (GHDM) system is used to accommodate the different types of dependent outcomes associated with housing choices, while capturing jointness caused by unobserved factors. The proposed analytic framework is applied to study housing choices using data derived from the 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS), sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The results confirm the jointness in housing choices, and indicate the superiority of a choice set formation model relative to a model that assumes the availability of all dwelling unit alternatives in the choice set.     

Implicit choice set generation in discrete choice models: Application to household auto ownership decisions

Latent choice set models that account for probabilistic consideration of choice alternatives during decision making have long existed. The Manski model that assumes a two-stage representation of decision making has served as the standard workhorse model for discrete choice modeling with latent choice sets. However, estimation of the Manski model is not always feasible because evaluation of the likelihood function in the Manski model requires enumeration of all possible choice sets leading to explosion for moderate and large choice sets. In this study, we propose a new group of implicit choice set generation models that can approximate the Manski model while retaining linear complexity with respect to the choice set size. We examined the performance of the models proposed in this study using synthetic data. The simulation results indicate that the approximations proposed in this study perform considerably well in terms of replicating the Manski model parameters. We subsequently used these implicit choice set models to understand latent choice set considerations in household auto ownership decisions of resident population in the Southern California region. The empirical results confirm our hypothesis that certain segments of households may only consider a subset of auto ownership levels while making decisions regarding the number of cars to own. The results not only underscore the importance of using latent choice models for modeling household auto ownership decisions but also demonstrate the applicability of the approximations proposed in this study to estimate these latent choice set models.     

Is car drivers’ response to congestion charging schemes based on the correct perception of price signals?

This paper deals with the question of whether the capability of car drivers to estimate the cost of a new hypothetical, highly differentiated congestion charge influences their decision to change travel behaviour. The analysis makes use of an integrated choice and latent variable model (ICLV) which merges classic choice models with the structural equation approach (SEM) for latent variables. This hybrid model improves the explanatory power considerably compared with a conventional discrete choice model. The results suggest that charge complexity decreases the resistance in considering behavioural changes. Car drivers tend to avoid a travel option where the price is not known beforehand, a phenomenon known as ambiguity avoidance.     

关联原则下的语域偏离——以中国日报新闻标题为例

中国日报标题中语言偏离的现象频繁出现,编辑通过创造与报刊常规语言不同的形式来吸引受众眼球,给受众留下深刻的印象。中国日报标题中,语言偏离的类型异常丰富,其中语域偏离尤为常见。文章运用关联理论,旨在从两个角度阐释中国日报标题中的语域偏离现象。从编辑的角度,语域偏离是编辑传递信息意图和交际意图所采用的明示刺激手段;从受众角度,语域偏离的理解是受众通过明示信息,在关联原则下构建认知语境,推理出最佳语境假设,获得语境效果的过程。     

关联理论对翻译实践的启示

关联理论是随着语用学的发展提出的有关人类认知的重要理论,它对翻译实践的意义也逐渐引起了人们的关注。关联理论在理解原文和再现原文上都有很好的指导作用,可以用来解释、指导翻译活动。翻译本质上是一个译者在原语认知语境和译语认知语境之间寻求最佳关联性的过程。关联翻译的实质是要求译者应当尽量使原语作者的意图和译语读者的期待相吻合。     

The implications on willingness to pay of respondents ignoring specific attributes

Individuals processing the information in a stated choice experiment are typically assumed to evaluate each and every attribute offered within and between alternatives, and to choose their most preferred alternative. However, it has always been thought that some attributes are ignored in this process for many reasons, including a coping strategy to handle ones perception of the complexity of the choice task. Nonetheless, analysts typically proceed to estimate discrete choice models as if all attributes have influenced the outcome to some degree. The cognitive processes used to evaluate trade-offs are complex with boundaries often placed on the task to assist the respondent. These boundaries can include prioritising attributes and ignoring specific attributes. In this paper we investigate the implications of bounding the information processing task by attribute elimination through ignoring one or more attributes. Using a sample of car commuters in Sydney we estimate mixed logit models that assume all attributes are candidate contributors, and models that assume certain attributes are ignored, the latter based on supplementary information provided by respondents. We compare the value of travel time savings under the alternative attribute processing regimes. Assuming that all attributes are not ignored and duly processed, leads to estimates of parameters which produce significantly different willingness to pay (WTP) to that obtained when the exclusion rule is invoked.     

基于门限关联度的传动箱性能检测方法研究

使用振动加速度传感器获取传动箱振动信号，应用概率统计方法建立了传动箱标准正常状态模式，并计算振动信号与标准正常模式的门限关联度．结果表明，所得门限关联度可以反映传动箱当前的性能状况，全部检测过程均在计算机上进行．     

基于相关向量机的电气化铁路用电量预测方法

为了提高用电量预测的精度,提出基于相关向量机回归的预测模型,在时间序列数据的基础上通过拟合训练得出其内在关系,进而可以计算得到较为准确的预测结果。相关向量机具有算法简洁和预测精度高等特点,易于编程使用。为了验证模型的有效性,本文选取2006年3月至2013年2月之间的电气化铁路用电量数据进行模型拟合训练,并预测分析2013年3月至7月的用电量情况。最后,通过对比分析表明相关向量机模型的预测结果比传统回归方法的预测结果更优。     

基于多层隐类贝叶斯网络的舰船生存能力评估模型研究

生存能力是舰船设计时需要考虑的一个重要性能指标,然而其涉及的因素较多,因素之间的关系错综复杂,不确定信息充斥其间.在系统分析舰船生存能力评估要素的基础上,针对评估过程中的不确定性信息难以量化处理的特点,引入基于贝叶斯网络的多层隐类模型算法对舰船生存能力进行评估,给出了模型评分原理.最后以实例说明了建模方法与评估过程,并结合专家意见分析了模型的优劣,说明该多层隐类模型的算法符合实际情况.