Effect of Introduction of Metro on Mode Choice Behaviour of Feeder Trips to Airport: A Case Study on NSCBI Airport, Kolkata.

Abstract

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) in India stands out as a prominent airport in Asia region. Like other airports, NSCBI Airport has also experienced a surge in air travel demand. The rapid increase in air travel demand has created pressure on managing feeder trips to airports, resulting in increased congestion, delays, and environmental issues. To address these issues, the Kolkata city development authority and Kolkata metro rail authority has decided to connect NSCBI airport by existing metro system. The introduction of metro service will change the present mode choice behaviour for feeder trips to airport. This study analysed the present mode choice behaviour for airport feeder trips and the impact of the Kolkata metro on it. Based on preference survey data and with the help of statistical methods, present and future mode choice behaviour was investigated. The binary logit model was used to analyze present mode choice behaviour, and the multinomial logit model was used to examine future mode choice behaviour after the introduction of Kolkata Metro in NSCBI Airport. The outcomes of these models shows that present and future mode choice behaviour to access NSCBI Airport are significantly affected by trip-related attributes and socioeconomic characteristics of passengers. The result also revealed that more than 50% of passengers are willing to shift to metro in future to access airport. The findings of this research will help transport planners and Airport Authorities to make effective planning for metro and other access modes.