Modeling Side Stop Purpose During Long-Distance Travel Using 1995 American Travel Survey

This paper examines the most common side stop purpose made by a traveler or travel party during long-distance travel of over 100 miles or more. The research uses the 1995 American Travel Survey (ATS) because it is one of the few data sources that collects information on stops and side trips for long-distance trips. The paper utilizes a mixed multinomial logit formulation for modeling the most common side stop purpose during long-distance travel. A variety of variables, including trip and household characteristics, are considered in the model specification. The factors that play the largest role in determining side stop choice are the primary purpose of the long-distance trip and whether the trip is a planned vacation or not.