Temporal framing of stated preference experiments: does it affect valuations?

• Published in: Transportation research. Part A, Policy and practice Vol. 117; pp. 319 - 333
• Main Authors: Peer, Stefanie, Börjesson, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2018
• Subjects: Change; commuting; Departure time; experimental study; Framing; J04 Railway: Passenger transport; Journey to work; Long-run; planning theory; preference behavior; Public policy; Public transport; Rail bound transport; Routine; Scheduling; Short-run; spatial analysis; Stated preference; Stated preference data; Stated preferences; temporal analysis; Transportation; travel time; valuation; D99; Short-run; D03; C25; Stated preference data; Long-run; C91; Scheduling; Routine; Framing; Departure time; R41
• ISSN: 0965-8564; 1879-2375; 1879-2375
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2018.08.027

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In this paper, we explore how valuations of trip attributes by train commuters differ between a short-run (departure time choice) and a long-run (travel routine choice) context using a unique SP experiment explicitly designed for this purpose. In the short-run version of the SP experiment, the respondents receive information about available travel options shortly before they had planned to travel. In the long-run version, the respondents receive information about available travel options one month ahead of the planned travel. The short-run context concerns temporary changes in available travel options, while the long-run context concerns permanent changes. We find significantly higher valuations of trip attributes in the long-run context. Moreover, our results indicate that the usual arrival time at work as well as the intrinsically preferred arrival time at work serve as reference points in the short-run as well as the long-run choice context, with the former dominating in the short-run context and the latter in the long-run context.