An empirical analysis of household activity patterns

Abstract

A framework is developed for analyzing the movement of individuals through time and space based on principles of pattern recognition theory. The procedures developed are applied to a sample of residents of a highly diversified region in Southern California. The results indicate that the daily activity/travel patterns of these individuals can be classified into a relatively small number of categories. Analysis of these patterns yields information regarding the influence of both socio-economic characteristics and urban form on the travel needs of individuals. The potential usefulness of the methodological framework in policy analysis is illustrated by several examples involving possible responses (e.g. tripchaining, use of small special purpose urban vehicles) to constraints on travel imposed by gasoline rationing program.