Developments in teleshopping offer many possible uses. As a supplement and alternative to transportation, teleshopping may have effects on traffic and physical planning. The use of time (both by pointin time and by time budget) and the use of space (location and infrastructure) will change. These ideas have been elaborated in an investigation into a teleshopping service that examined the effects of teleshopping on the use of time and space. A sample of teleshoppers noted shopping trips during a number of days. With the aid of these diaries and the answers to a number of background questions, insight was obtained into the group, their motives, their shopping behavior, and the changes that occurred in the use of time and space. Teleshopping saved time, but most people did not mention any new activity. There was a change in shopping times. Some shopping trips could be scheduled to avoid the rush hour. Teleshopping also had effects on the use of space. A change in travel behavior occurred. Telecommunication was substituted for some consumer trips, and the modal split of some trips changed. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1285, Transportation forecasting 1990.
Abstract