Mode Shift Behavior Impacts from the Introduction of Metro Service: Case Study of Xi’an, China

Abstract

Xi’an, as a typical inland city in China with a worse integrated transport system, has promoted the use of metro service to ease serious traffic congestion. This paper uses a logistic regression model to examine mode shifts behavior for auto, taxi, bus, electric bicycle, and bicycle users after the implementation of metro service based on stated preference data. The results indicate that auto travelers located in suburban regions are more willing to shift to metro for work trips. Female taxi and auto users are more likely to use metro than males. Longer trips for taxi and electric bicycle travelers prefer to choose the newly introduced metro. Additionally, a preference survey on newly opened metro concluded that metro passengers that shift from auto mode may decrease 8 to 19% because of incomplete transfer facilities. Finally, it was found that the impacts on easing traffic congestion by a single metro corridor are not significant, and some parallel policies need to be adopted. Furthermore, these findings are more useful for developing cities lacking modal joint and integration.