Understanding the current travel patterns and use of technologies in family households

The purpose of the research is to understand the current travel attitudes and habits of families, and also to understand the current usage patterns of technologies in families. The study aimed to identify where opportunities exist for digital technologies to influence travel attitudes and habits in families. In order to conduct research into the role that technologies could have in this setting, the context of use needed to be fully understood. Therefore an exploratory approach was taken. A greater understanding of the daily travel patterns of family units and how they interact with technologies on a daily basis was achieved. The study used a mixed methods approach to capture and explore travel behaviours and use of technologies in 13 family households. A questionnaire was given to households to gather data on demographic variables of the family that might affect their travel behaviour. A diary study captured patterns in household travel and in how and when family members use technologies in their everyday lives. Interviews were carried out to increase understanding of their motivations and explanations for why they chose certain modes of transport and the reasons behind their uses of technology. The household types associated with high car usage were households with two or more cars and households with an older child (10+ years old) living in the house. The adults in households with an older child also took more single occupancy car trips. Several one car households, who travelled by active modes of transport regularly on working days/weekdays, took a higher proportion of weekend trips by car. A smartphone was the technology used most often before a journey. The conclusions of the study should help to guide the development of an intervention delivered using digital technologies that aims to influence the travel behaviour of family groups.