arXiv subjects

Ali Ardeshiri

Publications and source records attributed to Ali Ardeshiri.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

A lifestyle-based model of household neighbourhood location and individual travel mode choice behaviours

Issues such as urban sprawl, congestion, oil dependence, climate change and public health, are prompting urban and transportation planners to turn to land use and urban design to rein in automobile use. One of the implicit beliefs in this effort is that the right land-use policies will, in fact, help to reduce automobile use and increase the use of alternative modes of transportation. Thus, planners and transport engineers are increasingly viewing land use policies and lifestyle patterns as a way to manage transportation demand. While a substantial body of work has looked at the relationship between the built environment and travel behaviour, as well as the influence of lifestyles and lifestyle-related decisions on using different travel modes and activity behaviours, limited work has been done in capturing these effects simultaneously and also in exploring the effect of intra-household interaction on individual attitudes and beliefs towards travel and activity behavior, and their subsequent influence on lifestyles and modality styles. Therefore, for this study we proposed a framework that captures the concurrent influence of lifestyles and modality styles on both household-level decisions, such as neighbourhood location, and individual-level decisions, such as travel mode choices using a hierarchical Latent Class Choice Model.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2019

Perceived Advantage in Perspective Application of Integrated Choice and Latent Variable Model to Capture Electric Vehicles Perceived Advantage from Consumers Perspective

Relative advantage, or the degree to which a new technology is perceived to be better over the existing technology it supersedes, has a significant impact on individuals decision of adopting to the new technology. This paper investigates the impact of electric vehicles perceived advantage over the conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, from consumers perspective, on their decision to select electric vehicles. Data is obtained from a stated preference survey from 1176 residents in New South Wales, Australia. The collected data is used to estimate an integrated choice and latent variable model of electric vehicle choice, which incorporates the perceived advantage of electric vehicles in the form of latent variables in the utility function. The design of the electric vehicle, impact on the environment, and safety are three identified advantages from consumers point of view. The model is used to simulate the effectiveness of various policies to promote electric vehicles on different cohorts. Rebate on the purchase price is found to be the most effective strategy to promote electric vehicles adoption.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2019

Conservation or deterioration in heritage sites? Estimating willingness to pay for preservation

A significant part of the United Nations World Heritage Sites (WHSs) is located in developing countries. These sites attract an increasing number of tourist and income to these countries. Unfortunately, many of these WHSs are in a poor condition due to climatic and environmental impacts; war and tourism pressure, requiring the urgent need for restoration and preservation (Tuan & Navrud, 2007). In this study, we characterise residents from Shiraz city (visitors and non-visitors) willingness to invest in the management of the heritage sites through models for the preservation of heritage and development of tourism as a local resource. The research looks at different categories of heritage sites within Shiraz city, Iran. The measurement instrument is a stated preference referendum task administered state-wide to a sample of 489 respondents, with the payment mechanism defined as a purpose-specific incremental levy of a fixed amount over a set period of years. A Latent Class Binary Logit model, using parametric constraints is used innovatively to deal with any strategic voting such as Yea-sayers and Nay-sayers, as well as revealing the latent heterogeneity among sample members. Results indicate that almost 14% of the sampled population is unwilling to be levied any amount (Nay-sayers) to preserve any heritage sites. Not recognizing the presence of nay-sayers in the data or recognizing them but eliminating them from the estimation will result in biased Willingness to Pay (WTP) results and, consequently, biased policy propositions by authorities. Moreover, it is found that the type of heritage site is a driver of WTP. The results from this study provide insights into the WTP of heritage site visitors and non-visitors with respect to avoiding the impacts of future erosion and destruction and contributing to heritage management and maintenance policies.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2019

Seasonality Effects on Consumers Preferences Over Quality Attributes of Different Beef Products

Using discrete choice modelling, the study investigates 946 American consumers willingness-to-pay and preferences for diverse beef products. A novel experiment was used to elicit the number of beef products that each consumer would purchase. The range of products explored in this study included ground, diced, roast, and six cuts of steaks (sirloin, tenderloin, flank, flap, New York and cowboy or rib-eye). The outcome of the study suggests that US consumers vary in their preferences for beef products by season. The presence of a USDA certification logo is by far the most important factor affecting consumers willingness to pay for all beef cuts, which is also heavily dependent on season. In relation to packaging, US consumers have mixed preference for different beef products by season. The results from a scaled adjusted ordered logit model showed that after price, safety-related attributes such as certification logos, types of packaging, and antibiotic free and organic products are a stronger influence on American consumers choice. Furthermore, US consumers on average purchase diced and roast products more often in winter slow cooking season, than in summer, whereas New York strip and flank steak are more popular in the summer grilling season. This study provides valuable insights for businesses as well as policymakers to make inform decisions while considering how consumers relatively value among different labelling and product attributes by season and better address any ethical, safety and aesthetic concerns that consumers might have.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2019

Preserve or retreat? Willingness-to-pay for Coastline Protection in New South Wales

Coastal erosion is a global and pervasive phenomenon that predicates a need for a strategic approach to the future management of coastal values and assets (both built and natural), should we invest in protective structures like seawalls that aim to preserve specific coastal features, or allow natural coastline retreat to preserve sandy beaches and other coastal ecosystems. Determining the most suitable management approach in a specific context requires a better understanding of the full suite of economic values the populations holds for coastal assets, including non-market values. In this study, we characterise New South Wales residents willingness to pay to maintain sandy beaches (width and length). We use an innovative application of a Latent Class Binary Logit model to deal with Yea-sayers and Nay-sayers, as well as revealing the latent heterogeneity among sample members. We find that 65% of the population would be willing to pay some amount of levy, dependent on the policy setting. In most cases, there is no effect of degree of beach deterioration characterised as loss of width and length of sandy beaches of between 5% and 100% on respondents willingness to pay for a management levy. This suggests that respondents who agreed to pay a management levy were motivated to preserve sandy beaches in their current state irrespective of the severity of sand loss likely to occur as a result of coastal erosion. Willingness to pay also varies according to beach type (amongst Iconic, Main, Bay and Surf beaches) a finding that can assist with spatial prioritisation of coastal management. Not recognizing the presence of nay-sayers in the data or recognizing them but eliminating them from the estimation will result in biased WTP results and, consequently, biased policy propositions by coastal managers.

econ.GN↗