Stated Preference Techniques in Measuring Travel Elasticities

Abstract

This paper describes how stated preference techniques can be used to derive the sorts of statistics--such as travel elasticities--that planners are familiar with. The paper then shows how the same output data can be used to provide management with alternative policy indicators that are likely to be more appropriate for the examination of certain more qualitative variables or may be of as much use in a decisionmaking context as the statistics that are conventionally employed. A summary description of the stated preference type of methodology is provided, and some of the main issues that arise in the application of the technique are discussed. Lastly, revealed and stated preference techniques are compared, the derivation of policy indicators is discussed, and conclusions are provided.