Ground access to airports, case study: Port Columbus International Airport

•Passenger mode choices to Port Columbus International Airport are analyzed.•Factor affecting business and non-business travelers are analyzed separately.•Surveys were conducted with 642 departing passengers at the airport in April 2012.•Logit models estimated to model interest in taking alternative transportation modes.•Findings shed light on passengers' preferences on ground access modes to airports.

This study examines the ground access mode choices of passengers traveling to Port Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. The survey was conducted with 642 individuals at the airport in April 2012. The survey included questions about passengers' flights, attitudes toward auto-use, interest in alternative modes of transportation, important factors affecting mode choice, and socio-demographic information. The factors affecting passengers' mode choices constituted the greatest focus of the survey. Binary logit models are estimated to analyze the passengers' interest in taking alternative modes of transportation. The results show that individuals who are on business trips, flying alone (or with fewer people), and already trying to reduce their auto-use in general are more likely to take alternative modes of transportation to the airport. In addition, the most important factors that affect individuals' ground access mode decisions are presented separately for travelers on business trips and non-business trips.