CSSSA - March Webinar

Modeling Urban Transport Choices with Agent-based Modeling

Abstract: Deciphering travel behavior and mode choices is a critical aspect of effective urban transportation system management, particularly in developing countries where unique socio-economic and cultural conditions complicate decision-making. This presentation introduces an agent-based simulation model designed to understand urban commuters' mode choices and evaluate the impacts of transport policies promoting sustainable mobility. With a focus on developing countries, where utilitarian travel heavily relies on motorcycles, the model incorporates sociocultural factors and social network influences that shape transport behavior. The model parameterization is based on comprehensive survey data collected from a Colombian city, providing essential sociocultural insights into commuter decision-making patterns.

Policy simulations reveal positive responses to interventions such as fare-free public transportation, increased bus frequency, and enhanced security measures, albeit with modest shifts in mode choice. This data-driven approach provides a robust analytical tool for examining transport challenges and policy interventions, offering evidence-based insights for policymakers. The model's outputs can be extended to cities with similar sociocultural characteristics and transport dynamics, while the methodology can be replicated across different regions worldwide. The simulation model serves as a testbed for evaluating the effectiveness of transport policies while accounting for local sociocultural dynamics and social network influences on commuter decision-making

Short bio: Kathleen Salazar-Serna is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Cali, Colombia. Her current research interests focus on sustainability issues and transport policy analysis. She uses agent-based modeling and network analysis to study transport dynamics.