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Information gain, novelty seeking and travel: a model of dynamic activity-travel behavior under conditions of uncertainty

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  • Arentze, T.A.
  • Timmermans, H.J.P.

Abstract

When making a trip, individuals make observations that may increase their knowledge about their environment. In this paper, we develop a measure of expected information gain based on a Bayesian model of mental maps and belief updating. We argue that expected information gain is an element of the utility function of trip choice alternatives under conditions of limited information and learning. Theory and models are developed. The simulations conducted illustrate that expected information gain tends to favor longer trips and variety seeking in terms of both route and destination choice. We argue, therefore, that individuals may perceive a positive utility of travel through environments with which they are less familiar.

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  • Arentze, T.A. & Timmermans, H.J.P., 2005. "Information gain, novelty seeking and travel: a model of dynamic activity-travel behavior under conditions of uncertainty," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 39(2-3), pages 125-145.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:39:y:2005:i:2-3:p:125-145
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    Cited by:

    1. F. Combes & A. De Palma, 2016. "The Impact of Information Availability on Destination Choice," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3), pages 678-687, September.
    2. Yamamoto, Toshiyuki & Li, Cheng & Morikawa, Takayuki, 2014. "An empirical analysis of the factors raising the interest in new shopping destinations," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 21(6), pages 950-957.
    3. Frank Goetzke & Rachel Weinberger, 2012. "Separating Contextual from Endogenous Effects in Automobile Ownership Models," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(5), pages 1032-1046, May.
    4. Chorus, Caspar G., 2014. "Benefit of adding an alternative to one׳s choice set: A regret minimization perspective," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 13(C), pages 49-59.
    5. Anthony Ziegelmeyer & Frédéric Koessler & Kene Boun My & Laurent Denant-Boèmont, 2008. "Road Traffic Congestion and Public Information: An Experimental Investigation," Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, University of Bath, vol. 42(1), pages 43-82, January.
    6. Borhan, Muhamad Nazri & Ibrahim, Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi & Miskeen, Manssour A. Abdulasalm, 2019. "Extending the theory of planned behaviour to predict the intention to take the new high-speed rail for intercity travel in Libya: Assessment of the influence of novelty seeking, trust and external inf," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 373-384.
    7. Muhamad Rizki & Tri Basuki Joewono & Dimas B. E. Dharmowijoyo & Prawira Fajarindra Belgiawan, 2021. "Does multitasking improve the travel experience of public transport users? Investigating the activities during commuter travels in the Bandung Metropolitan Area, Indonesia," Public Transport, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 429-454, June.
    8. Chung, Yi-Shih & Ku, Ya-Han, 2023. "Effect of time stress and store visibility on the dynamics of passenger activity choices at airport terminals based on indoor trajectory data," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    9. Rachel Weinberger & Frank Goetzke, 2010. "Unpacking Preference: How Previous Experience Affects Auto Ownership in the United States," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(10), pages 2111-2128, September.
    10. Canca, David & Zarzo, Alejandro & Algaba, Encarnación & Barrena, Eva, 2013. "Macroscopic attraction-based simulation of pedestrian mobility: A dynamic individual route-choice approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 231(2), pages 428-442.
    11. Eran Ben-Elia & Robert Ishaq & Yoram Shiftan, 2013. "“If only I had taken the other road...”: Regret, risk and reinforced learning in informed route-choice," Transportation, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 269-293, February.
    12. Caspar Chorus & Theo Arentze & Harry Timmermans, 2007. "Information impact on quality of multimodal travel choices: conceptualizations and empirical analyses," Transportation, Springer, vol. 34(6), pages 625-645, November.
    13. Chorus, Caspar G. & Timmermans, Harry J.P., 2009. "Measuring user benefits of changes in the transport system when traveler awareness is limited," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 43(5), pages 536-547, June.
    14. La Paix Puello, Lissy & Chowdhury, Saidul & Geurs, Karst, 2019. "Using panel data for modelling duration dynamics of outdoor leisure activities," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 141-155.
    15. Chorus, Caspar G. & Arentze, Theo A. & Molin, Eric J.E. & Timmermans, Harry J.P. & Van Wee, Bert, 2006. "The value of travel information: Decision strategy-specific conceptualizations and numerical examples," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 504-519, July.
    16. Caspar G. Chorus, 2014. "Acquisition of Ex-Post Travel Information: A Matter of Balancing Regrets," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 48(2), pages 243-255, May.
    17. Joshua Wang & Eric J Miller, 2014. "A Prism-Based and Gap-Based Approach to Shopping Location Choice," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 41(6), pages 977-1005, December.
    18. Casper G. Chorus & Harry J.P. Timmermans, 2011. "Personal Intelligent Travel Assistants," Chapters, in: André de Palma & Robin Lindsey & Emile Quinet & Roger Vickerman (ed.), A Handbook of Transport Economics, chapter 25, Edward Elgar Publishing.

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