Multi-Week Travel Surveys Using GPS Devices

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that the value of GPS technology in collecting activity-travel data as an alternative to traditional travel surveys depends largely on the accuracy of data imputation and good survey management. In this chapter, the authors discuss experiences in the use of GPS-devices in a large-scale study aimed at collecting multi-week activity-travel diaries in two regions in The Netherlands. GPS devices were used to collect basic movement information, which was processed using Bayesian Belief Network to derive daily activity-travel diaries, and validated using a Web-based prompted recall instrument. The large-scale travel survey was administered across one year. The chapter addresses several issues regarding the design and management of GPS data collection. Reported experiences are expected to provide a useful source of reference for future multi-week travel surveys using GPS technology.