On the impact of ICT on the constant travel time budget hypothesis (349)

Theme Track: Transportation - Travel Patterns

Authors:
de Graaff, Thomas ; Rietveld, Piet

In the 1970s a hypothesis of constant travel time was formulated. This hypothesis stated that the average amount time person for travelling is a constant over longer periods. This implies that when faster modes of travel will become available, travel distance will increase. However, this hypothesis of a constant travel time budget is formulated in a period when ICT was not yet used to an extent comparable to today's. Therefore, an important question is whether a large-scale introduction of ICT applications will lead to a refutation of the constant travel time budget hypothesis.

Basically, there are two lines of thinking that can lead to such a rejection. First, ICT and physical transport behave like substitutes, so that an increase in ICT use will lead to a decrease in travel time. Secondly, they can behave like complements, so that ICT will reinforce the need for physical transport. This paper provides a careful investigation into the relationship between ICT and time spent on travelling. To this end, we develop a micro-economic model in which individuals can spend their time on ICT and travelling, in order to maximize their utility. A preliminary outcome is that ICT will affect the constant travel time budget hypothesis. However, the direction of the impact depends on the question whether ICT and travel time are substitutes of complements of each other.

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