Experiments on route choice set generation using a large GPS trajectory set

Abstract: Several route choice models developed in the literature were based on a relatively small number of observations. With the extensive use of tracking devices in recent surveys, there is a possibility to obtain insights with respect to the traveler's choice behavior. In this paper, different path generation algorithms are evaluated using a large GPS trajectory dataset. The dataset contains 6,000 observations from Tel-Aviv metropolitan area. An initial analysis is performed by generating a single route based on the shortest path. Almost 60% percent of the 6,000 observations can be covered (assuming a threshold of 80% overlap) using a single path. This result significantly contrasts previous literature findings. Link penalty, link elimination, simulation and via-node methods are applied to generate route sets, and the consistency of the algorithms are compared. A modified link penalty method, which accounts for preference of using higher hierarchical roads, provides a route set with 97% coverage (80% overlap threshold). The via-node method produces route set with satisfying coverage, and generates routes that are more heterogeneous (in terms number of links and routes ratio).