Probit-based discrete-continuous model of activity choice and duration with history dependency

A probit-based discrete-continuous model of activity type and duration choices addresses three aspects of discretionary and maintenance activities. First, both in-home and out-of-home activity episodes in models of activity engagement are considered to ensure coverage of the entire range of activity episodes in activity-based model systems. Second, history dependency and scheduling of activities in explaining activity participation are accounted for to understand activity generation processes over the course of a day. Finally, the simultaneity and the potential presence of common unobserved factors that may exist across activity type choice and duration dimensions are taken into account. A contribution is made along these three lines of inquiry by presenting a joint model of activity type choice and activity duration with data from the 2008 American Time Use Survey data set. Results suggest that statistically significant endogeneity exists between activity type choice and activity duration calls for the simultaneous modeling of these two choice dimensions in model systems.