Alternative Graph Neural Networks: Synergizing GEV Models and Deep Learning for Travel Mode Choice Modeling

Generalized extreme value models capture dependence among choice alternatives in discrete choice modeling, but require this dependence to be predefined, symmetric, and shared uniformly across individuals. Recent efforts to synergize discrete choice models with deep neural networks have improved predictive performance but still cannot explicitly represent alternative dependence within neural architectures. To address these gaps, we introduce the alternative graph -- a graph in which nodes represent choice alternatives and edges encode their dependence -- and propose Alternative Graph Neural Networks (Alt-GNNs), a family of GNN-based discrete choice models that embed alternative dependence within a unified framework. Theoretically, Alt-GNNs incorporate multinomial logit, nested logit, and ASU-DNN as special cases and enable innovative model designs, including Nested Alt-GNN, Complete Alt-GNN, and Attention Alt-GNN. Alt-GNNs are consistent with random utility maximization theory, enforce behavioral constraints through alternative graphs, and offer a novel graph-based interpretation of utility functions. Empirically, on two travel mode choice datasets from London and Chicago, Alt-GNNs significantly improve predictive performance over all benchmark models in mode choice modeling because of their flexible alternative graph design and vast hyperparameter space. Even the simplest Alt-GNN variant -- Nested Alt-GNN -- generalizes the nested logit model while preserving its unique two-layer substitution properties, enabling graph-based behavioral constraints over otherwise unconstrained behavioral patterns from deep neural networks.