Individual response modes to pre-trip information in congestible networks: laboratory experiment

To better capture typical individual response modes under strategic uncertainty in congestible networks, we conducted laboratory experiments in a network with two parallel routes under within-subject design. Sixty-four undergraduates were assigned into four sessions to make recurrent route-choice decisions under Condition partial-information (PI) first, and then under Condition full-information (FI). Individuals whose response modes are featured by a series of conditional probabilities regarding switching behaviour naturally cluster into three and four groups under Conditions PI and FI, respectively. An in-depth analysis of behavioural bases of each type was discussed. In Condition FI, the proportion of highly responsive players (holding Direct-response-like and Contrary-response-like patterns) and Highly-risk-averse players drops, whereas the Status-quo-maintenance category players stand out. More feedback information was disclosed for the purpose of reducing uncertainty but turned out to reduce the proportion of people who were highly responsive to the new information and who firmly commit themselves to a unique route.