Latent Class Model to Test the Preferences Heterogeneity in the Perceived Information by Public Transport Users

The aim of analysis is to understand as not reliable information influence the user behaviour and how much disincentive the public transport use. For this purpose, a Stated Preference Survey has been carried out in order to know the preferences of public transport users related to information needs and uncertainty on the information provided by Advanced Traveller Information System (ATIS). The perceived uncertainty is defined as the information accuracy. In our study, it was considered the difference between forecasted or scheduled waiting time at the bus stop and/or metro station provided by ATIS, and experienced one by user, to catch the bus and/or metro respectively. A questionnaire has been submitted to a sample of Palermo’s population. A Latent Class Logit model have been calibrated, taking into account attributes of cost, information accuracy, travel time, waiting time, and cutoffs in order to reveal preference heterogeneity in the travel choice behaviour due to perceived information. The calibrated model has showed various sources of preference heterogeneity in the perceived information of public transport users as highlighted by reported analysis.