A sequential model based on thresholds of log-normal acceptability of the attributes

An analysis of behaviour linked to mobility choices must be considered as multidisciplinary because it can be seen according to various social perspectives: only the convergence of these different perspectives can lead to the definition of valid scientific criteria that can evaluate the effects caused by changes to the system (in the more general sense) on human behaviour. In particular, an analysis of travel behaviour must have valid economic and psychological bases. The better-known disaggregated simulation models of the mobility demand belong to the family of random utility models. Other simulation tools exist of behaviour of choice, but some of these modelling structures do not acknowledge compensation of the effects and for this reason are called “non-compensatory”. Various scientific studies have demonstrated the need to consider the possibility that choices of mobility are not made according to criteria of a compensatory nature. Starting from these considerations, in order to identify an alternative analysis tool to the classical methods linked to the theory of random utility that can represent the behaviour of transport system users in different situations of choice, and taking inspiration from the behavioural psychology literature, the authors of this paper have developed a model of choice that is partially non-compensatory, sequential, with thresholds of acceptability, called SSA.