Spending Time on the Move: A Comparison Between Travel Modes

In travel analysis, travel time is traditionally regarded as lost time. This assumption is increasingly challenged by studies indicating that travelers may derive a positive (or less negative) utility from travel if traveling itself has an intrinsic value or if travel can be used for other activities. This last factor leads to in increased interest in activities performed by travelers on the move. Yet, empirical studies on this topic are scarce. The current paper adds to the insight in this field by describing the activities while traveling for different travel modes, based on activity-travel data collected in the Netherlands. Expected differences between travel modes occur. Train and bus/tram/metro travelers are more likely to work or read during travel, whereas talking to passengers and listening to music differs much less between modes. Additional analyses show that the probability of reading, working, listening to music and using the Internet increase with increasing travel time. Having travel company decreases the probability of working, reading and listening to music and increases (logically) the probability of talking to fellow travelers. In addition, we find that people between 25 and 34 and over 65 and those not traveling for work are more likely to talk to co-travelers. Younger travelers, those traveling alone or with household members and those frequently using a personal digital assistant (PDA) are more likely to listen to music while traveling. Working on the move is done more by the lowest and highest income classes and by people between 50 and 65.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Ettema, Dick
  • Alexander, Bayarma
  • Hagen, Mark van
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2010-1-10 to 2010-1-14
• Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 20p
• Monograph Title: TRB 89th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Data collection; Hours of labor; Mode choice; Personal digital assistants; Reading; Real time information; Travel surveys; Travel time
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01155038
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 10-1590
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 21 2010 1:56PM