Study on Travel Characteristics and Satisfaction in Low-Density Areas Based on MNL and SEM Models—A Case of Lanzhou

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Abstract
This study focuses on the challenges of resident mobility in low-density areas. Amid China’s rapid urbanization, rural landscapes and travel patterns are undergoing significant transformation. Using Lanzhou’s rural areas as a representative case study, this research employs questionnaire surveys to collect data. It applies a multi-nominal logit (MNL) model to examine factors influencing travel mode choices and utilizes structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess travel satisfaction—a composite metric derived from residents’ subjective evaluations of convenience, cost, time, and comfort. Findings indicate that private cars and public transportation are the primary travel modes. The MNL model reveals that age and destination accessibility significantly influence travel choices. SEM path analysis further shows that annual household income has a direct positive effect on satisfaction, while age exerts an indirect negative influence through mediating variables. Female satisfaction levels were significantly lower than those of males. Both road density and perceived infrastructure quality significantly enhanced satisfaction, while destination accessibility may exert a slight negative indirect effect by increasing travel expectations. The study theoretically enriches research on rural travel patterns and provides practical insights into rural transportation planning and infrastructure development.
Funding Information
  • Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province (23JRRA904)
  • Social Science Foundation of Gansu (2021YB058)
  • Gansu Provincial Department of Science and Technology: Natural Science Foundation (Outstanding Doctoral Students) Project (23JRRA906)
  • National Social Science Fund of China (15BJY037, 14CJY052)
  • “Double-First Class” Major Research Programs, Educational Department of Gansu Province (GSSYLXM-04)
  • Gansu Province Key R&D Program Industry (21YF5GA052)
  • Gansu Higher Educational Institutions Industry Support Program (2021CYZC-60)
  • Lanzhou Jiaotong University–Tianjin University Joint Innovation Fund Project (2021057)
  • 2025 Gansu Provincial Department of Education Excellent Graduate Students “Innovation Star” Program (2025CXZX-645)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China Western Program (72361017, 52362047, 71861024)
  • Gansu Provincial Natural Science Foundation Program (18JR3RA119)

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