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http://dx.doi.org/10.12652/Ksce.2017.37.2.0379

Estimation of Willingness-to-pay for Mitigating Crowdedness in High-speed Rail Trains  

Lee, Jang-Ho (Korea National University of Transportation)
Kim, Dong-Sun (Daejin University)
Publication Information
KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research / v.37, no.2, 2017 , pp. 379-387 More about this Journal
Abstract
As the average load factor of High-Speed Rail (HSR) trains increased up to 98%, it caused uncomfortable crowdedness in the cabin and deteriorated the level of service to the HSR users. In this paper, we estimated the willingness-to-pay (WTP) of the HSR users for mitigating the crowdedness in the cabin. The contingent valuation method based on the stated preference data was used and the tobit model was applied for the estimation of WTP. It can be concluded that WTP for mitigating the crowdedness in the HSR trains is proportional to the congestion level of train and income level of user. Males, first-class users, not-assigned ticket users, and monthly pass users have relatively higher WTPs, while homemakers, travelers in weekends, commuters and leisure travelers have relatively lower values. The results can provide the fundamental information to estimate the benefits of mitigating crowdedness or the magnitude of governmental subsidy to railway operators for additional introduction of HSR trains.
Keywords
High-speed rail; Crowdedness; Willingness-to-pay; Contingent valuation method; Tobit model;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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