TY - JOUR
T1 - An analysis of the dynamics of activity and travel needs in response to social network and life-cycle dynamics : a structural equation model
AU - Sharmeen, F.
AU - Arentze, T.A.
AU - Timmermans, H.J.P.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Several studies in transportation literature have shown that in the short-term social networks play an important role in discretionary activity and travel decisions of an individual. However, social networks may not remain unchanged in the long term, particularly in response to life-cycle events (for instance, an employment transition). A change in the social network in turn may have a repercussion on activity and travel behaviour, indicating that an investigation of the long term dynamics of social networks are relevant for understanding activity scheduling, or rescheduling behaviour. To this end, the paper advances the concept of social network dynamics in dynamic activity travel behaviour modelling. It explores the dynamics of social networks and life-cycle events, and their influence on activity and travel needs. Dynamics are assumed to be triggered by life-cycle events. For the purpose of the study an event-based retrospective survey was conducted in 2011 in the Netherlands. A structural equation model was developed to elicit activity and travel needs and their dependencies on life-cycle and social network dynamics. The estimated model takes history dependence of activity and travel needs into account. Results suggest that activity and travel dynamics are influenced by life-cycle and social network dynamics. Moreover social network and activity travel dynamics were found to be interdependent (i.e. a change in one leads to change in the other). Furthermore, the study results confirm the general assumption that travel needs are for the most part influenced by activity needs. The paper concludes that the theory and modelling framework of travel behaviour dynamics should take the dynamics of personal networks into account.
AB - Several studies in transportation literature have shown that in the short-term social networks play an important role in discretionary activity and travel decisions of an individual. However, social networks may not remain unchanged in the long term, particularly in response to life-cycle events (for instance, an employment transition). A change in the social network in turn may have a repercussion on activity and travel behaviour, indicating that an investigation of the long term dynamics of social networks are relevant for understanding activity scheduling, or rescheduling behaviour. To this end, the paper advances the concept of social network dynamics in dynamic activity travel behaviour modelling. It explores the dynamics of social networks and life-cycle events, and their influence on activity and travel needs. Dynamics are assumed to be triggered by life-cycle events. For the purpose of the study an event-based retrospective survey was conducted in 2011 in the Netherlands. A structural equation model was developed to elicit activity and travel needs and their dependencies on life-cycle and social network dynamics. The estimated model takes history dependence of activity and travel needs into account. Results suggest that activity and travel dynamics are influenced by life-cycle and social network dynamics. Moreover social network and activity travel dynamics were found to be interdependent (i.e. a change in one leads to change in the other). Furthermore, the study results confirm the general assumption that travel needs are for the most part influenced by activity needs. The paper concludes that the theory and modelling framework of travel behaviour dynamics should take the dynamics of personal networks into account.
U2 - 10.1016/j.tra.2013.11.006
DO - 10.1016/j.tra.2013.11.006
M3 - Article
SN - 0965-8564
VL - 59
SP - 159
EP - 171
JO - Transportation Research. Part A: Policy and Practice
JF - Transportation Research. Part A: Policy and Practice
IS - January 2014
ER -