Telecommunications and travel: Potential impact in rural areas

Abstract

Clark D. and Unwin K. I. (1981) Telecommunications and travel: potential impact in rural areas, Reg. Studies 15, 47–56. This paper examines the implications of telecommunications for non-work travel in rural areas. Contact diary data are used to identify the individual components of daily travel, and the possible effects upon these of developments in telecommunications are discussed. Some substitution of journeys to information and advice agencies is possible, but the increased penetration and use of the telephone is likely to raise the level of visiting for social purposes. An overall increase in the demand for rural travel seems likely. The implications of any stimulus effect for rural transport provision and policy are considered.