The Complex Psychology Behind Travel Behaviour Analysis

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The Complex Psychology Behind Travel Behaviour Analysis

Interview with Chandra Bhat

Compass IoT

Jun 10, 2025

Transcript

This episode is produced in partnership with the ITLS Board of Advice.

Dr. Chandra R. Bhat is the Joe J. King Endowed Chair Professor in Engineering at The University of Texas (UT) at Austin, where he teaches courses in transportation systems analysis and transportation planning. He also has served there as the Associate Chairman of the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, and the Director of the Center for Transportation Research. He is currently serving as the Director of the US Department of Transportation’s National University Transportation Center on Travel Behavior and Demand.

Dr. Bhat is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading expert in the areas of travel behavior analysis and travel demand modeling. His methodological works in statistics and econometrics are widely referenced in multiple disciplinary fields, and have been included in econometric textbooks and software packages. He is a recipient of many awards, including, most recently, the 2024 W.N. Carey, Jr. Distinguished Service Award from the Transportation Research Board (TRB). Dr. Bhat currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Transportation Research – Part B.

What you’ll learn:

Is Public Interest Secondary in Transport Innovation? There is a growing concern that corporate interests from technology vendors are overtaking public interest in transportation planning.
The Complex Interplay of Psychology and Transportation: Transportation isn’t just about infrastructure – it’s about understanding human behavior and travel choices, which can be incredibly complex
Transportation as a Lifeline: Access to transportation directly impacts social inclusion and quality of life, making it a fundamental societal need.
Equity and Road Pricing: While pricing mechanisms can help manage travel demand, they must be implemented with careful consideration of equity
Behavioral Data and Bias in AI: AI systems trained on human driving behavior may adopt our biases, highlighting the need for human oversight, lest we exaggerate patterns and reinforce them through our own models.

Quotes:

"We think technology will solve everything, but without thoughtful planning, it can create new problems."

"Will corporate greed be the driving force in transportation, or can we keep public interest front and center?"

"Transportation isn't just about moving people; it's about connecting them to society and opportunities."

"Equity must be at the core of transport pricing strategies."

"Social exclusion isn't just about location – it’s about time poverty and a lack of mobility."

Timestamps

00:01:15 – Introduction & Academic Background
Chandra introduces himself and his dual roles in engineering and economics at UT Austin.

00:04:11 – The Role of Psychology in Transport Modeling
Chandra explains how behavioral science isn’t “soft” and is core to transport modeling.

00:14:25 – Why Behaviour Modelling Matters for Equity & Mobility
From time poverty to an anecdote about an elderly woman calling 911 for human contact.

00:17:07 – Why AVs Might Increase Travel Demand, Not Decrease It
Key section for your product relevance — the travel behavior rebound effect.

00:21:08 – AI, Bias, and Pedestrian Safety
Chandra explains how AI can reproduce bias — especially racial — in AV training data.

00:23:01 – Tech vs Public Interest
Compelling question: Is corporate greed outpacing public interest in AV development?

00:24:27 – Road Pricing & Equity
Chandra discusses congestion pricing, federal vs local tensions, and the need for equity measures.