Open access
Date
2003-05Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
no
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Abstract
We show that energy concepts can contribute to the understanding of human travel behaviour. First, the average journey times for different modes of transport are inversely proportional to the energy consumption rates measured for the respective human physical activities. Second, when daily travel-time distributions for different modes of transport such as walking, cycling, bus or car travel are appropriately scaled, they turn out to have a universal functional relationship. This corresponds to a canonical-like energy distribution with exceptions for short trips, which can be theoretically explained. Combined, this points to a law of constant average energy consumption for the physical activity of daily travel. Applying these natural laws could help to improve long-term urban and transport planning. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000123843Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
New Journal of PhysicsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
IOP PublishingOrganisational unit
03784 - Helbing, Dirk / Helbing, Dirk
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ETH Bibliography
no
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