An empirical probability-based strategy model for individual decision-making under time pressure when rescheduling daily activities

Hui Zhao, Igor Tchappi, Yazan Mualla, Stéphane Galland, Li Li

Abstract: Generally, during the execution of the daily activity schedule, there is a mismatch between the plan and the reality. Faced with unexpected events, which affect the schedule, individuals need to reschedule their activities. In such situations, time is a crucial factor when rescheduling, as people feel time pressure because of the time constraints. Consequently, the rescheduling decision is made under the individual’s perceived time pressure (\({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\)). \({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\) does depend on not only the actual time pressure but also the individual’s characteristics. This paper aims to establish a model to simulate the individual decision behavior under \({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\). Under different levels of \({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\), individuals will choose different strategies to make the final decision based on their own characteristics. Our model proposes three decision strategies: optimal strategy under low-level \({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\), salient strategy under medium-level \({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\), and experience under high-level \({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\). In addition, this paper argues that the choice probabilities within each strategy are affected by the empirical probabilities. The proposed strategy model for individuals’ rescheduling choices under \({\varvec{P}\!\varvec{T}\!\varvec{P}}\) is validated by running several experiments.