Can psychological variables help predict the use of priced managed lanes?

This research examined the relationship between several psychological variables (conscientiousness, general locus of control, personal need for structure, financial risk tolerance, driving risk perceptions, risky driving style, and careful driving style), travel attribute preferences, carpooling attitudes, and preferences for priced managed lanes. Using data based on 664 respondents from three cities (Denver, Miami, and San Diego), mixed logit models indicated that several variables, particularly travel time, toll, sex, and income, were better predictors of managed lane use than the psychological variables. Of the psychological variables, significant results were obtained for only conscientiousness and risky driving style. Specifically, respondents with a higher risky driving style score reported a lower preference for carpooling on general purpose lanes. High conscientious individuals reported a lower preference for carpooling on managed lanes. Although the results for the psychological variables were generally not as strong as had been expected, aspects of the study design may have resulted in an underestimate of their effects. These aspects are acknowledged and their implications are discussed in the context of future research.