Route Choice Characteristics for Truckers

This research studies the decision-making process and factors that affect truck routing. The data collection involved intercept interviews with truck drivers at three rest area and truck stop locations along major highways in Texas and Indiana in the United States and Ontario, Canada. The computerized survey solicited information on truck-routing decisions, identity of the decision makers, factors that affect routing, and sources of information consulted in making these decisions. In addition, stated preferences (SP) experiments were conducted, in which drivers were asked to choose between two route alternatives. A total of 252 drivers completed the survey, yielding 1,121 valid SP observations. These data were used to study the identity of routing decision makers for various driver segments and the sources of information used in pretrip planning and en route. A random-effects logit model was estimated with the SP data. Results show that there are significant differences in the route choice decision-making process in the various driver segments, and that these decisions are affected by multiple factors beyond travel time and cost. These factors include shipping and driver employment terms, such as the method of calculating pay and the bearing of fuel costs and tolls.