Parameter estimation of the mixed logit model and its application

The mixed Logit model is flexible for application because the coefficients associated with the attributes of the utility variables could be distributed in normal, lognormal, SB, and other types. On the basis of Beijing's resident daily travel survey, a mixed Logit model is presented and calibrated in this paper. The method of maximum simulated likelihood, in which quasi-random number sequences of shuffled Halton and the MLHS (modified latin hypercube sampling) are used for simulation, is developed to estimate the coefficients, and hence to determine suitable distributions for them. The estimated values give clear explanations to the factors influencing the resident's mode choice behavior. © 2010 China Association for Science and Technology.