Call for Papers

Frontiers in Transportation 2007: Social Interactions Amsterdam, Netherlands, 14-16 October 2007 Organized in collaboration with the Transportation Research Board, Committee on Transportation Demand Forecasting, Subcommittee on Emerging Methods, ADB40(1)

The topic of social interaction, and its relationships to travel and transportation, is rapidly gaining interest in the transportation community. Going beyond the study of intra-household interactions, a more general view of social contact is sought that can help to explain the motivation for, and characteristics of, travel behavior. The study of inter-household interactions, as well as interpersonal interaction in settings other than the household, represents a promising way to improve our understanding of different aspects of travel behavior, including modal choice, work and non-work travel, the decision to telework, the planning and execution of activities, and locational decisions.

The 2007 Workshop is planned as a continuation of the Workshop "Frontiers in Transportation: Social and Spatial Interactions," Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2-5 July 2005. After a successful meeting that produced a collection of papers on the topic of social contact and transportation (forthcoming in Environment & Planning B), the objective of this event is to further extend the lines of inquiry identified in the previous workshop. Being at a research frontier, there are numerous outstanding challenges associated with this topic, including the role of simulation studies, the need for empirical research documenting the effect of social contact on travel, data collection protocols, and methodological and analytical issues.

The workshop welcomes contributions to enhance our understanding of the role of social contact in transportation and travel behavior, or that help to advance a research agenda on the topic. Examples include, but are not limited to, social networks as motivators and shapers of travel behavior, social influence in travel-related decisions, the role of transport in building social capital, and social contact and inclusion.

Abstract submission is now closed. All authors have been notifed. In case you have any questions, please contact the co-chairs. Papers accepted for presentation in the Workshop must be submitted by the deadline 15 September 2007.

For further information about the 2005 Workshop see: What do we mean by social and spatial interactions?