Choice Modelling-Based Policy Evaluation for Gender-Inclusive Mobility

Gender-based differences in mode-choice behaviour have been significantly studied in developed countries; however, it remains underexplored in developing countries. Moreover, the use of unsustainable modes of transport has been increasing leading to further burdening the Climate Change issues. It calls for policy interventions from the transportation professionals and concerned stakeholders that would shift the mode share towards greener and sustainable modes of transport. Therefore, this study utilizes a discrete choice modelling approach to achieve the following objectives: (a) to develop a mode choice model, (b) to explore, identify, and test the impact of transport policy bundles on the modal split across men and women and (c) to test and analyse the impact of identified policy bundles across the gender-income groups. A Multinomial Logit (MNL) choice model was developed based on the utility maximization choice theory and the parameters were estimated. Nineteen policy instruments focusing on improving women ridership in public transportation were identified and tested on modal share through the developed MNL choice model. From the policy analysis done separately for male and female and across four income groups, it was inferred that certain policies demonstrated that low and lower-middle females are more likely to shift towards public transportation and NMT modes; however, the overall shift could be undesirable also if it does not target all the modes. This study would be useful to policymakers who would like to test the impact of a policy instrument or policy bundle across different gender-income groups with a good level of confidence.