The report discusses the applications of social science in transport research and their potential within mainstream transport planning. Two distinct uses of social science are identified and discussed under the headings of social explanation and time-geographic explanation, referring to relevant empirical work undertaken. Social explanation consists both of descriptive social research and that which draws on sociological theory and concepts. Time-geographic explanations in contrast present a formal model of time and space constraints which map behaviour patterns to show the range of activity and travel opportunity available to predefined social groups. four types of time-geographic applications are discussed, studies based on diary surveys, interactive gaming approaches, time-geographic accessibility models and activity scheduling models. The report evaluates the use of these social science explanations for both model development and for a greater understanding of travel causes. Attention is drawn to the problems of applying social science in practical planning. To date its use has been for informing policy issues at a national level; scope is seen for developing simplified concepts that can be used at a local planning level. (Author/publisher)
Abstract