Analysis of the departure time choices of metro passengers during peak hours

In this study, a stated preference (SP) survey based on a D-efficient experimental design was conducted for the Nanjing Metro to examine the passenger flow and elaborate the heterogeneity of the departure time choice behaviour of metro passengers during peak hours. A latent class logit model was applied to calibrate the data, and the attribute variables were studied using an elasticity analysis. The survey identified four classes of metro passengers in peak hours who have different preferences for the departure time choice. The results show that fixed working hours and arrival time constraints are the major attributes that determine the classification of the passengers, while travel costs and overcrowding are the key factors that affect the departure time choice. However, passengers are more sensitive to metro fares than crowdedness. By reducing travel costs and mitigating overcrowding, passengers’ choice of departure time, especially when deciding whether to depart earlier than usual, was significantly affected. This study aims to provide theoretical support and a basis for decision-making for metro operation departments to enact passenger flow control strategies.