Modelling the Effect of Information and Communication Technology on Activity-Based Travels, Case Study: Tehran

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has revolutionized almost all aspects of human life. Thus, examining the effect of this technology on social problems such as traffic congestion, environmental pollution, urban design, land use etc. is of immense importance for transportation planning. Using 303 questionnaires completed correctly by residents of Tehran, this study applied Structural Equation Modelling to investigate the effect of ICT usage in a broader definition on 27 types of out-of-home activities, which were classified into three categories of subsistence, maintenance and leisure activities. The results showed the complementary/generation effect of ICT usage on travel demand. The use of ICT was also found to increase the time spent on subsistence activities and decrease the time spent on maintenance activities, as out-of-home maintenance activities can be carried out more easily and rapidly by Internet, and so people naturally prefer to follow this approach.