Understanding Group Social Ties and Their Impact on Travel Behaviour

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in understanding the impact of social ties on travel. Some of the questions raised are: What are the frequencies and scale of these rides? What are the means of transport taken? Furthermore, what social network parameters impact travel behaviour? While all recent studies are based on Wellman’s “Network Individualism” theory, this study aims to extend the theoretical framework by focusing on groups and their travel behaviour. The study introduced Scott Feld’s Foci theory and Hägerstrand’s time-space prism. According to Feld, group activities are based in relation to a physical or temporal focus; hence individuals are connected via events, locations, or activities. On the other hand, the time-space prism indicates the constraints under which activities are performed. Based on the two theories, the study focused on the fragment of group meetings: how they are formed and how their formation relates to socio-demographic parameters and the city’s structure. Data was gathered via online questionnaires, which traced the travel behaviour patterns of groups within the city of Tel Aviv. Meeting locations were mapped, and a measurement of the social tie strength amongst the meeting members was constructed. The study uses multivariate regression analysis to reveal the hidden variables affecting travel choices for a group meeting.