Seasonal Trends and Sociodemographic Influences on Long-Distance Trips - A Case Study from Munich

Abstract

This study provides insights into rarely observed long-distance travel patterns of individuals. Collected smartphone tracking data from June 2022 to May 2023 and focused on the Munich metropolitan region allows us to investigate travel behavior and the occurrence of long-distance travel throughout the year. After comprehensive data preparation, long-distance trips are analyzed regarding their occurrence rate and modal share. Furthermore, the influence of various sociodemographic characteristics and car ownership on long-distance travel is investigated. Findings reveal differences in the occurrence of trips, with increased frequency observed during summer, weekends, school holidays, and public holidays. Additionally, the research underscores the impact of sociodemographic factors, particularly household income, leading to elevated levels of long-distance travel activity.