Levels of Spatial Knowledge and Urban Travel Modeling

Abstract

Models of spatial behavior implicitly assume a direct connection between the individual's utility function and his actual behavior. In reality, this link is mediated by the extent and quality of his spatial knowledge. Without sufficient knowledge, the chosen behavior will be selected from a small number of known alternatives. Using a route choice study in Beer Sheva, this paper investigates the extent and the level of spatial knowledge exhibited by the public in episodic, nonroutine travel. It demonstrates that their knowledge stabilizes at the intermediate “route level,” whereas only professional drivers attain the highest “survey level.” The cognitive opportunity sets of drivers at the route level are idiosyncratic. Accordingly, route selection by the general public was found largely unpredictable. Implications for urban travel modeling are discussed.