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.