Place generator & place interpreter: A new survey method to understand regular destination choice

Abstract

When observing the temporal trajectory of an individual, the probability of visiting a new place decreases with time; this is due to the central component of habit and routine in human mobility behavior. To understand those routine activities, we propose a new survey method: the Place Generator & the Place Interpreter, based on the name generator and name interpreter survey method for ego-centric social networks. In the survey, we asked the participants to name the locations they regularly visit for leisure, by category. This methodology can properly capture these locations, get information on the characteristics of the place, and the reasons for each location to be chosen. We tested the methodology in the Zurich Metropolitan Area in Switzerland, focusing on urban leisure activities and the social environment of the locations. Hence, we ask the individuals to describe the socio-demographic characteristics, in comparison to themselves, of the people that visit the location. This methodology has proven to work. Respondents report, on average, 8.53 locations for 9 types of locations, mainly supermarkets and restaurants, and respondents can describe the similarities with other visitors to that location. The survey is complemented with an ego-centric social network to get information on social connections and their impact on leisure activity; the results are comparable with previous work conducted in Zurich.