A path analysis of social networks, telecommunication and social activity–travel patterns

The aim this study is to analyse the relationships between socio-demographic and land-use variables, social networks, the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and social activity–travel patterns. Using path analysis, hypotheses on these links are tested. The analyses are based on a unique data set collected in 2008 in the Eindhoven region in the Netherlands among 747 respondents, using a 2-day social interaction (and travel) diary and a questionnaire. The results of the path analysis show many significant effects of socio-demographic and land-use variables. In addition, the results suggest that social networks generate social activities and travel. Regarding the relationship between ICT-use and social travel the results indicate that ICT-use has a substitutional (or neutral) effect on social travel, whereas the effect of social travel on ICT-use is neutral or complementary.

► Social activity–travel is affected by socio-demographic and land-use variables.
► These links are mediated by ICT-use and social network characteristics.
► Social networks generate social trips.
► The effect of ICT-use on social travel is substitutional or neutral.
► The effect of social travel on ICT-use is neutral or complementary.