Incorporating Time Dynamics in Activity Travel Behavior Model A Path Analysis of Changes in Activity and Travel Time Allocation in Response to Life-Cycle Events

The study of dynamics in activity and travel behavior is not a new research interest in the transportation field. A few areas of these dynamics have been partially covered, yet some remain rather unexplored. In contemporary research, short-term dynamics of activity and travel behavior are better understood than long-term changes. For instance, intrahousehold decision making, day-to-day dynamics of activity travel generation and scheduling, and out-of-home or in-home activity organization have been addressed by a number of studies. However, studies on the dynamics of time allocation in activities and travel that are related to life-cycle events are rare. This study contributes to the understanding of such long-term dynamics. By using path analysis, this study shows the effect of several life-cycle events on the changes in time allocation in activities and associated travel. Data were collected in the Netherlands in September 2011 by using an event-based questionnaire survey that asked the respondents to report a weekly activity and travel schedule before and after an event. Results show the interdependencies between the types of activity and travel. The authors conclude that life-cycle events have significant impact on changes in time allocation for activities and travel. The effects vary in direction, intensity, and existence in relation to the type of event and activity. The findings here contribute to the specification of dynamics in the allocation of activity travel time and to the prediction of the rapid and far-reaching changes in addition to day-to-day dynamics.