Rural location-based activity generation: a case study of Iran villages

Abstract

Efficacious transportation, as prerequisites of sustainable development of rural areas, should receive pertinent attention. This needs more attention in developing countries as nearly half of population in these countries reside in rural areas. However, still little is known about the activity and travel characteristics of rural residents. This study focuses on activity-location (Ac-Lo) patterns of rural residents in Iran. An interview of place-based questionnaire was designed and data about activity-travel characteristics of rural residents was collected. In total, 663 respondents were used for analyzing out-of-home Ac-Lo patterns. Based on a descriptive analysis of Ac-Lo characteristics of the sample, 10 Ac-Lo patterns were determined, differentiated according to the primary and secondary activity type and the primary activity location of rural residents. To explore the relations between Ac-Lo patterns and socio-demographic characteristics of rural residents and the type of village, logit models were used. Based on specification test, two nested logit structures were identified modeling the joint decision of choosing activity and location. The first structure was nested based on activity location, inside or outside the village, while the second was nested based on primary activity type, work, education and other activities. The selected structure emphasized the role of activity location in activity-travel patterns in rural areas. The results also demonstrated the important role of socio-demographic variables and job type of rural residents on joint Ac-Lo decisions. Village type of either near to city or far from it was the only variable appeared in the higher level of the nested structure, and had a significant influence on individuals’ membership of the inside the village Ac-Lo patterns.

Keywords:

• Rural transportation
• Activity-location patterns
• Developing countries
• Nested logit structure