Exploring unobserved heterogeneity in ICT usage and travel pattern changes as the pandemic subsides: A quasi-longitudinal analysis in Florida

Abstract

This paper presents a study that explored the behavioral heterogeneity in changes in people's ICT usage and travel patterns at the end of the pandemic. A quasi-longitudinal approach was employed to collect data from Florida residents, capturing their online durations and trip frequencies for various activities before the pandemic and at the end of 2021. Utilizing the latent class analysis (LCA) approach to identify subgroups based on the online activity durations and trip frequencies, four distinct classes were identified. A little more than one third (35%) of the respondents are resilient users who showed minimal changes in both online activity durations and trip frequencies. About 33% of respondents are trip minimizers who maintained similar online activity durations but reduced travel for non-mandatory activities. About 16% of the respondents are substitutive adapters who showed increased online activity durations combined with reduced travel for non-mandatory activities. Another 16% of the respondents are complementary users who demonstrated higher online activity durations as well as trip frequencies for non-mandatory activities. These four latent classes reflect the diverse ways in which people have adjusted their daily routines and activities. The findings offer a starting point for understanding the complexities of behavioral changes in virtual and physical mobility as we transition to the new normal.