Fitting Distributions to Random Parameters
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2006
Subject Area
economics - willingness to pay
Keywords
York (England), Willingness to pay, Travel behavior, Statistical distributions, Probability distribution functions, Mixed logit models, Distributions (Statistics), Distribution theory, Commuters, Choice models
Abstract
This research investigated the choice of distributions for the parameters of a mixed logit model, under the risk that the model appears statistically successful when its actual fit to the true behavior is poor. A subsampling technique is used to examine the aptitude of several model specifications to approximate the range of preferences of bus commuters in York, England. Difficulties in replicating the distribution of the willingness to pay are discussed. Various issues are raised, such as the existence of negative willingness to pay, constraining distributions by either estimation or imposition, and the potential of subsampling experiments.
Recommended Citation
Hollander, Yaron, (2006). Fitting Distributions to Random Parameters. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1977, pp 53-59.
