Effects of energy price policies on individual's activity-travel repertoires: Empirical results using script-based activity-travel adaptation data

In contributing to the increasing literature on dynamic activity-based models, this paper develops a dynamic needs-based model to study the effects of energy price policies on individual's activity-travel scripts. A script is defined as a multidimensional activity-travel profile, which is routinely executed with a high degree of regularity. To collect the data to estimate the model, a dedicated web-based data collection system (SINA) was developed. A representative sample of 572 respondents completed the survey. First, they provided socio-demographic background information, information about their car(s) and available electric devices in their homes and detailed profiles of their activity-travel scripts. Second, using a stated response experiment, respondents indicated how they would change their energy consumption in reaction to a series of energy price policies. The results of the model estimation indicate that respondents are more likely to adapt their schedules if energy prices would dramatically increase. Their adaptations more likely relate to scripts that include compulsory activities.