Social Networks, Mobility Biographies, and Travel: Survey Challenges

Abstract

Social network membership and biography shape a person's mental map and social network geography, and thus should influence his or her travel behaviour. This paper discusses what content needs to be added to the current set of questions asked in travel behaviour surveys if we want to capture those concepts. The discussion proceeds conceptually, as there is little empirical work so far on which to draw. The challenges involved in integrating the necessary questions about biographies and social networks are considerable. The protocols will have to rely on more personal contact between the survey and the respondent, either by phone or in person.