The analysis of urban-rural transit trip characteristics using a Structural Equation Model

With the accelerating pace of urbanization in China, passenger travel demand between urban and rural areas has been rapidly increasing. This has led to significant changes in the traditional city transit and highway passenger transport systems along with the diversification of trip purposes. Based on survey data from Rui'an city on urban-rural public transit, qualitative and quantitative analysis was conducted on the trip purpose and individual characteristics. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was then implemented between the trip purpose and individual characteristics, using AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structure) software. Results show that there is a correlation between individual characteristics and trip purpose. Type of traveler and traveler's age are directly related to the trip purpose while latent personal and work attributes are indirectly related to trip purpose. This study improves on past literature by focusing on the relationship between urban-rural transit trip purpose and individual characteristics for the urban-rural transit planning, construction and services.