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Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on time use and travel behavior: a structural equations analysis

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Abstract

The objective of this paper is to contribute an empirical study to the literature on transportation impacts of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). The structural equation model (SEM) is employed to analyze the impacts of ICT usage on time use and travel behavior. The sample is derived from the travel characteristic survey conducted in Hong Kong in 2002. The usage of ICT is defined as the experience of using e-mail, Internet service, video conferencing and videophone for either business or personal purposes. The results show that the use of ICT generates additional time use for out-of-home recreation activities and travel and increases trip-making propensity. Individuals at younger age or with higher household income are found to be more likely ICT users. The findings of this study provide further evidence on the complementarity effects of ICT on travel, suggesting that the wide application of ICT probably leads to more, not less, travel. The study also demonstrates the importance of considering the interactions between activity and travel for better understanding of the nature and magnitude of the impacts of ICT on time use and trip making behavior.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Prof. Patricia Mokhtarian and the anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions, which helped improve the quality of the paper. This research is sponsored by a research grant from Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC) (HKBU2441/05H) and a Faculty Research Grant from Hong Kong Baptist University (FRG/02-03/II-55).

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  1. Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

    Donggen Wang & Fion Yuk Ting Law

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  1. Donggen Wang
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  2. Fion Yuk Ting Law
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Correspondence to Donggen Wang.

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Wang, D., Law, F.Y.T. Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on time use and travel behavior: a structural equations analysis. Transportation 34, 513–527 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-007-9113-0

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