IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transa/v205y2026ics0965856426000297.html

The new rhythm of travel: an empirical investigation of intrapersonal day-to-day variability in the era of tele-activities

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Kaili
  • Nurul Habib, Khandker

Abstract

This paper investigates the day-to-day variability in the trade-offs between online activities (telecommuting and e-shopping) and out-of-home travel behaviours using a seven-day travel diaries dataset collected in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Canada. This investigation is particularly relevant, given the shifts towards telecommuting and the influence of Information and communication technology (ICT) on daily life. The analysis of variance results confirmed that day-to-day intrapersonal variability dominates the total variability in the number of trips, travel time expenditure, and distance travelled during a week. The Box-Cox regression results show that regular commuters are associated with more stable trip rates. Adopting telecommuting and online cooked meal delivery (CMD) are correlated with increased trip rate variability. However, frequent CMD users and workers with hybrid workplace arrangements are correlated with consistent travel distances during the weekdays. This study’s findings warrant a multi-day approach to evaluate ICT-related impact on travel demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Kaili & Nurul Habib, Khandker, 2026. "The new rhythm of travel: an empirical investigation of intrapersonal day-to-day variability in the era of tele-activities," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:205:y:2026:i:c:s0965856426000297
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2026.104888
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856426000297
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tra.2026.104888?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kitamura, Ryuichi & Yamamoto, Toshiyuki & Susilo, Yusak O. & Axhausen, Kay W., 2006. "How routine is a routine? An analysis of the day-to-day variability in prism vertex location," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 259-279, March.
    2. Obeid, Hassan & Anderson, Michael L. & Bouzaghrane, Mohamed Amine & Walker, Joan, 2024. "Does telecommuting reduce trip-making? Evidence from a U.S. panel during the COVID-19 pandemic," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    3. Wang, Xinyi & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2024. "Examining the treatment effect of teleworking on vehicle-miles driven: Applying an ordered probit selection model and incorporating the role of travel stress," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    4. Kay Axhausen & Andrea Zimmermann & Stefan Schönfelder & Guido Rindsfüser & Thomas Haupt, 2002. "Observing the rhythms of daily life: A six-week travel diary," Transportation, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 95-124, May.
    5. Colaço, Rui & de Abreu e Silva, João, 2025. "Are we moving online? Assessing the interactions between telework and grocery purchases, eating out and meal deliveries," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    6. Yusak Susilo & Kay Axhausen, 2014. "Repetitions in individual daily activity–travel–location patterns: a study using the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index," Transportation, Springer, vol. 41(5), pages 995-1011, September.
    7. Heinen, Eva & Chatterjee, Kiron, 2015. "The same mode again? An exploration of mode choice variability in Great Britain using the National Travel Survey," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 266-282.
    8. Susilo, Yusak O. & Kitamura, Ryuichi, 2008. "Structural changes in commuters' daily travel: The case of auto and transit commuters in the Osaka metropolitan area of Japan, 1980-2000," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 95-115, January.
    9. Swait, Joffre & Ben-Akiva, Moshe, 1987. "Incorporating random constraints in discrete models of choice set generation," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 91-102, April.
    10. Patricia Mokhtarian, 2004. "A conceptual analysis of the transportation impacts of B2C e-commerce," Transportation, Springer, vol. 31(3), pages 257-284, August.
    11. Roorda, Matthew J. & Ruiz, Tomás, 2008. "Long- and short-term dynamics in activity scheduling: A structural equations approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 545-562, March.
    12. Robert Schlich & Kay Axhausen, 2003. "Habitual travel behaviour: Evidence from a six-week travel diary," Transportation, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 13-36, February.
    13. Charles Raux & Tai-Yu Ma & Eric Cornelis, 2016. "Variability in daily activity-travel patterns: the case of a one-week travel diary," Post-Print halshs-01389479, HAL.
    14. Khandker Habib & Eric Miller, 2008. "Modelling daily activity program generation considering within-day and day-to-day dynamics in activity-travel behaviour," Transportation, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 467-484, July.
    15. Habib, Khandker Nurul, 2019. "Mode choice modelling for hailable rides: An investigation of the competition of Uber with other modes by using an integrated non-compensatory choice model with probabilistic choice set formation," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 205-216.
    16. Ron Buliung & Matthew Roorda & Tarmo Remmel, 2008. "Exploring spatial variety in patterns of activity-travel behaviour: initial results from the Toronto Travel-Activity Panel Survey (TTAPS)," Transportation, Springer, vol. 35(6), pages 697-722, November.
    17. Faber, R.M. & Jonkeren, O. & de Haas, M.C. & Molin, E.J.E. & Kroesen, M., 2022. "Inferring modality styles by revealing mode choice heterogeneity in response to weather conditions," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 282-295.
    18. Kang, Hejun & Scott, Darren M., 2010. "Exploring day-to-day variability in time use for household members," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 44(8), pages 609-619, October.
    19. Elisabetta Cherchi & Cinzia Cirillo, 2014. "Understanding variability, habit and the effect of long period activity plan in modal choices: a day to day, week to week analysis on panel data," Transportation, Springer, vol. 41(6), pages 1245-1262, November.
    20. Hensher, David A. & Balbontin, Camila & Beck, Matthew J. & Wei, Edward, 2022. "The impact of working from home on modal commuting choice response during COVID-19: Implications for two metropolitan areas in Australia," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 179-201.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yusak Susilo & Kay Axhausen, 2014. "Repetitions in individual daily activity–travel–location patterns: a study using the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index," Transportation, Springer, vol. 41(5), pages 995-1011, September.
    2. Crawford, F. & Watling, D.P. & Connors, R.D., 2018. "Identifying road user classes based on repeated trip behaviour using Bluetooth data," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 55-74.
    3. Deschaintres, Elodie & Morency, Catherine & Trépanier, Martin, 2022. "Cross-analysis of the variability of travel behaviors using one-day trip diaries and longitudinal data," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 228-246.
    4. Heinen, Eva & Chatterjee, Kiron, 2015. "The same mode again? An exploration of mode choice variability in Great Britain using the National Travel Survey," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 266-282.
    5. Wang, Kaili & Nurul Habib, Khandker, 2025. "Modelling inter-activity duration to capture weekly activity-travel dynamics: instilling inherent dynamics within daily travel demand models," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    6. Thomas, Tom & La Paix Puello, Lissy & Geurs, Karst, 2019. "Intrapersonal mode choice variation: Evidence from a four-week smartphone-based travel survey in the Netherlands," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 287-300.
    7. Minnen, Joeri & Glorieux, Ignace & van Tienoven, Theun Pieter, 2015. "Transportation habits: Evidence from time diary data," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 25-37.
    8. Charles Raux & Tai-Yu Ma & Eric Cornelis, 2016. "Variability in daily activity-travel patterns: the case of a one-week travel diary," Post-Print halshs-01389479, HAL.
    9. Dharmowijoyo, Dimas B.E. & Susilo, Yusak O. & Karlström, Anders, 2017. "Analysing the complexity of day-to-day individual activity-travel patterns using a multidimensional sequence alignment model: A case study in the Bandung Metropolitan Area, Indonesia," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 1-12.
    10. Kang, Hejun & Scott, Darren M., 2010. "Exploring day-to-day variability in time use for household members," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 44(8), pages 609-619, October.
    11. Charles Raux & Tai-Yu Ma & Eric Cornelis, 2011. "Variability versus stability in daily travel and activity behaviour. The case of a one week travel diary," Working Papers halshs-00612610, HAL.
    12. Neutens, Tijs & Delafontaine, Matthias & Scott, Darren M. & De Maeyer, Philippe, 2012. "An analysis of day-to-day variations in individual space–time accessibility," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 81-91.
    13. Dimas B. E. Dharmowijoyo & Yusak O. Susilo & Anders Karlström, 2016. "Day-to-day variability in travellers’ activity-travel patterns in the Jakarta metropolitan area," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 601-621, July.
    14. Hartieni, Patricia & Joewono, Tri Basuki & Dharmowijoyo, Dimas, 2024. "The effects of planned behaviour, spatiotemporal variables and lifestyle on public transport use: An exploratory study," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    15. Jara-Díaz, Sergio & Rosales-Salas, Jorge, 2015. "Understanding time use: Daily or weekly data?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 38-57.
    16. Rizki, Muhamad & Basuki Joewono, Tri & Susilo, Yusak O., 2024. "Towards understanding travel in the digital age: A cross-dimensional one-week diary of individual virtual and physical activities in Indonesian cities," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    17. Nursitihazlin Ahmad Termida & Yusak O. Susilo & Joel P. Franklin, 2016. "Examining the effects of out-of-home and in-home constraints on leisure activity participation in different seasons of the year," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(6), pages 997-1021, November.
    18. Ma, Xinwei & Tian, Xiaolin & Jin, Zejin & Cui, Hongjun & Ji, Yanjie & Cheng, Long, 2024. "Evaluation and determinants of metro users' regularity: Insights from transit one-card data," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    19. Milad Mehdizadeh & Alireza Ermagun, 2020. "“I’ll never stop driving my child to school”: on multimodal and monomodal car users," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 1071-1102, June.
    20. Rizki, Muhamad & Joewono, Tri Basuki & Susilo, Yusak Octavius, 2026. "Exploring the relationship between e-shopping and goods delivery via transport superapps and daily time use: insights from Indonesian cities," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:205:y:2026:i:c:s0965856426000297. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/547/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.