BLOGPOST #8: Travel Behavior

Most of us don't realize that we 'travel' everyday. One way or the other. Wether it be to work, to school or even to our neighborhood; and through time, we develop a routine. My daily routine on my way to school and work includes: getting in the car and out of our house by 6:00 am, stoping at a gas station for a gas refill, stoping at Starbucks for my daily caffeine and then arriving at my destination at around 7:25 am; And since I do this almost everyday, this routine is what analysts call "Travel Behavior".

According to an article by Nancy McGukin, a travel behavior analysis, entitled "What is Travel Behavior" from www.wisegeek.com, it was explained that travel behavior is the way people move in the public field by all means of travel and for all purposes. Some of the activities people want to engage in are separated by space, which requires people to travel. The choices they make in order to travel are based on options, constraints, habits, and opportunities. For instance, how people travel to work (by car, bus, subway, or walk), the time they leave, and the duration and type of stops they make on the way, are important aspects of travel behavior.

"Travel behavior can be used for purposes like finding out which type of transportation people favor most, the reasons why they prefer that mode of transport, the most popular destinations, and the reason why people travel there." explained the author.

Sometimes we go to a place just to see what everyone's raving about. Most establishments use this kind of marketing especially now that we rely mostly on social media when it comes to recommendations in terms of food, apparels, etc. Not only establishments though because according to an article entitled "Life Transitions and Life Projects" by Graham Carter from www.travelbehavior.com, understanding people’s travel routines and how they change is important to help governments around the world plan effective transport systems and policies. In order to make an important contribution in the society to make it a better place for everyone.They found out that significant changes in travel behaviour are often associated with life transitions. Life transitions involve a change in personal circumstances, typically marked by observable life events such as joining the labour force, moving home, having children or retiring.

"Such policies are expected to make an important contribution to tackling some of the big issues of the day, including: energy security and climate change, public health and obesity, how to create healthy urban environments, and supporting economic growth and reducing congestion." says the author.

I didn't realize that managing a community would be so complex. Travel Behavior has indeed help run our society. It balances out everything especially the allocation of our resources.