Time-Use Metadata

Abstract

Time-diary data provide a complete sequential record of all activities of individuals, including travel, for a period of 24 or 48 h or longer. Hence, time-use data have much to offer travel behavior analysts and modelers. The pool of time-use data is rapidly increasing. Additionally, comparability between time-use data and travel data is growing, largely because of the expanding volume of activity data collected in travel surveys. One challenge is to ensure that the data and time-use, travel, and other researchers can be brought together in the most efficient manner. This task requires the development of both study-level and variable-level metadata standards. Much work, providing a basis for the development of time-use metadata standards, has already been undertaken in collateral fields. Arguments are made for exploration, application, and expansion of existing work, to establish time-use metadata standards. A consolidation of efforts is proposed between time-use and travel behavior data professionals to ensure that each field has the optimum opportunity to identify, locate, evaluate, and access useful data in either field.