  In this paper we review the academic transportation literature published
between 2014 and 2018 to evaluate where the field stands regarding the use and
misuse of statistical significance in empirical analysis, with a focus on
discrete choice models. Our results show that 39% of studies explained model
results exclusively based on the sign of the coefficient, 67% of studies did
not distinguish statistical significance from economic, policy or scientific
significance in their conclusions, and none of the reviewed studies considered
the statistical power of the tests. Based on these results we put forth a set
of recommendations aimed at shifting the focus away from statistical
significance towards proper and comprehensive assessment of effect magnitudes
and other policy relevant quantities.
