Exploring the links between personal networks, time use, and the spatial distribution of social contacts

The focus of this study is the relationship between social networks and the temporal and social characteristics of social activities. The authors explore the link between “medium/long term decisions” (those related to social networks) and “short/medium term decisions” (those involving daily social activities). Two key aspects in the study of social networks’ role in travel behavior are contributed through this research: social network structure and spatiality of all individuals participating in the social activities. Using structural equation modeling and evaluating data linking personal networks and time use, the impact of individual and interactional attributes on duration, distance, and number of people in social activities is studied. Tie social closeness, gender, age similarity, and network density are found to contribute to the understanding of social activity duration and distance. While sociodemographic aspects such as income, occupation, and accessibility also help explain the spatiotemporal dimension of daily activities, these factors should be accompanied by variables related to the social context in order to ensure greater accuracy in evaluating duration and distance traveled to social activities.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-013-9467-4
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00494488
• Authors:
  • Moore, José
  • Carrasco, Juan-Antonio
  • Tudela, Alejandro
• Publication Date: 2013-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 773-788
• Serial:
  • Transportation
  • Volume: 40
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Springer
  • ISSN: 0049-4488
  • EISSN: 1572-9435
  • Serial URL: http://link.springer.com/journal/11116

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Activity choices; Demographics; Links (Networks); Personal communication networks; Social factors; Spatial analysis; Structural equation modeling; Time duration; Travel behavior; Trip length
• Candidate Terms: Social networking
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01487421
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 2013 12:11PM