The Transferability of Travel Demand Models

The model transfer approach is based on the idea that estimated model parameters from a previous study may in a different context provide useful information for estimating the parameters for the same model in a new context even when the true values of the parameters are not expected to be equal. Transferability has been a matter of considerable practical and theoretical interest because the transfer of a previously estimated model to a new application context can reduce or eliminate the need for data collection and model development effort in the new application context. This book presents six different transfer methods and compares these methods as a function of sample size. The book also describes different test measures for studying model transferability and assesses the applicability of traditional statistical tests in relation to those based on the prediction accuracy of sample enumeration tests and forecasts. The book is especially useful to professionals in the field of travel demand modeling or anyone else who would like to have more information on model transferring or the factors affecting the accuracy of the traditional four-step model system.