Mode choice models for agricultural products by freight rail transport in the northeast of Thailand

This research aimed to develop a mathematical model for predicting the mode choice behavior of the manufacturers of processed agricultural products including rice, starch, and sugar. Their decisions must be made between road and rail transport applying the stated preference technique. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed and responses were obtained from 58 transport managers or executives throughout a 3-month period. The data were taken to develop a binary logit model of freight transportation. The variables used for the analysis were punctuality, reliability, freight payment, transport time, and distance from factories to railway stations. It was found that the factors affecting the mode choice decisions were punctuality and distance. Under a given circumstance where a rail station was less than 10 km away and rail delivery could guarantee the goods would arrive no later than 2 h behind the schedule, rail freight transport could receive up to 38% of the market share. The State Railway of Thailand and relevant agencies could use this model to prioritize the improvement of the service elements that would most satisfy the customers' needs.