Using time-use data to analyse travel behaviour: Findings from the UK

Abstract

Time-use diary surveys (TUS) gather detailed information on daily activities and travel undertaken by individuals and households. Many transport researchers have overlooked these data, which is the motivation for and purpose of this paper. A number of considerations need to be taken into account when using TUS data, particularly in relation to analysis, which is rather specialised. We compare TUS and activity-travel diaries from transport and report on travel behaviour using data from the 2014-2015 UK Time Use Survey (UK TUS) and highlight additional data that are available, such as secondary activities and levels of enjoyment associated with travel. The results show that one in four travel episodes included secondary and tertiary activities, the most common being listening to music and radio, socialising with family and others, telephone conversations and reading. Using ICT (smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.) was reported in 11.3% of travel episodes and 26.9% of the time respondents felt rushed while travelling. In terms of enjoyment, longer travel episodes were associated with lower levels of enjoyment, active travel was the most enjoyable and commuting the least. Commuting episodes were the longest, followed by social and personal business, at least 1-2 min longer than travel episodes for escorting children and others, or for shopping.