Latent vehicle type propensity segments: Considering the influence of household vehicle fleet structure

This study applies latent class cluster analysis to a sample of 1,111 survey respondents in Georgia, identifying naturally occurring vehicle type segments based on the influence of both individual vehicle type choices and household vehicle fleet structures. The developed model identifies seven latent vehicle type propensity segments, six of which include individuals who reported being the main driver for (respectively) car, SUV/van, and truck. In three of those segments this was generally their only available vehicle, while in the other three the "main driver" vehicle accompanied other available household vehicles. The seventh segment captures individuals who are main drivers of multiple vehicle types, and who also have other household vehicles available for use. We generate user profiles and discuss differences across segments regarding individual-level characteristics (e.g., gender), household-level characteristics (e.g., household income), land-use and travel-related preferences (e.g., neighborhood type, share of household-serving trips), attitudes (e.g., materialistic), and targeted marketing data variables (e.g., support for charitable causes). Selected results suggest that women choose SUVs/vans due to both personal preferences (e.g., feeling safer while driving a large vehicle) and household responsibilities; show that vehicle-owning behaviors and attitudes are generally consistent, except that strong pro-vehicle-owning attitudes exist within vehicle-deficit households; and suggest that vehicle-deficit households may be less open to alter-native fuel vehicles, possibly due to reliability concerns. Overall, this study provides a new perspective on vehicle type propensity segments, and examines the association of a novel range of general and travel-related attributes with these segments, yielding nuanced insights with potential policy implications.