IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jotrge/v107y2023ics0966692323000248.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Estimating distance decay of intra-urban trips using mobile phone data: The case of Bratislava, Slovakia

Author

Listed:
  • Šveda, Martin
  • Madajová, Michala Sládeková

Abstract

The distance decay function has been attracting attention in diverse disciplines including transportation studies, spatial planning and urban geography. In particular, much discussion has concentrated on the measurement of distance decay on the regional scale, since the emphasis of the model utilisation has been on explaining interregional mobility (mainly commuting). The intra-urban context makes the estimation more complicated and the fundamental questions, such as how far people travel within the city to reach a variety of urban destinations, and whether there are potentially significant differences between these types of destinations, are still not answered in a satisfactory way. In response to this challenge, the paper attempts to reveal the spatial variations of the distance decay effect on movements in urban space through the utilisation of mobile phone data. The signalling data from all major mobile network operators in Slovakia represent new opportunities with high accuracy of measurement and complexity of representation. The methodological procedure for deriving data about human daily movements from the mobile network at the level of 1 × 1 km statistical grid cells is presented. The objective is to estimate the appropriate distance decay functions for urban grids and demonstrate the variation of decay curves within the Bratislava city. The findings relativise the decay law of human mobility. For the approximation of daily mobility within the urban area, the polynomial-exponential function – the decreasing function with a small increase of interaction intensity at a greater distance – describes the impedance of travel distance more preferably. However, a significant proportion of urban grids have recorded weak or even no decay. A question worth investigating is whether the resulting friction of distance is a result of a specific functional structure of the study area, or it could reflect an advanced stage of urban evolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Šveda, Martin & Madajová, Michala Sládeková, 2023. "Estimating distance decay of intra-urban trips using mobile phone data: The case of Bratislava, Slovakia," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:107:y:2023:i:c:s0966692323000248
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103552
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692323000248
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103552?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kingsley E. Haynes & A. Stewart Fotheringham, 1985. "Gravity and Spatial Interaction Models," Book Chapters, in: Grant I. Thrall (ed.),Scientific Geography, pages 48, Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University.
    2. John R. Roy & Jean-Claude Thill, 2004. "Spatial interaction modelling," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Raymond J. G. M. Florax & David A. Plane (ed.), Fifty Years of Regional Science, pages 339-361, Springer.
    3. Halás, Marián & Klapka, Pavel & Kladivo, Petr, 2014. "Distance-decay functions for daily travel-to-work flows," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 107-119.
    4. Jacob J de Vries & Peter Nijkamp & Piet Rietveld, 2009. "Exponential or Power Distance-Decay for Commuting? An Alternative Specification," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 41(2), pages 461-480, February.
    5. Murat Celik, H. & Guldmann, Jean-Michel, 2007. "Spatial interaction modeling of interregional commodity flows," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 147-162, June.
    6. Camille Roth & Soong Moon Kang & Michael Batty & Marc Barthélemy, 2011. "Structure of Urban Movements: Polycentric Activity and Entangled Hierarchical Flows," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, January.
    7. Yang Xu & Paolo Santi & Carlo Ratti, 2022. "Beyond Distance Decay: Discover Homophily in Spatially Embedded Social Networks," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 112(2), pages 505-521, February.
    8. Yanguang Chen, 2008. "A Wave-Spectrum Analysis of Urban Population Density: Entropy, Fractal, and Spatial Localization," Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Hindawi, vol. 2008, pages 1-22, October.
    9. Börje Johansson & Johan Klaesson & Michael Olsson, 2002. "Time distances and labor market integration," Papers in Regional Science, Springer;Regional Science Association International, vol. 81(3), pages 305-327.
    10. Chen, Yanguang, 2015. "The distance-decay function of geographical gravity model: Power law or exponential law?," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 174-189.
    11. Kingsley E. Haynes & A. Stewart Fotheringham, 1985. "Gravity and Spatial Interaction Models," Wholbk, Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University, number 07 edited by Grant I. Thrall, Fall.
    12. Peter Nijkamp & Waldemar Ratajczak, 2021. "Gravitational Analysis in Regional Science and Spatial Economics: A Vector Gradient Approach to Trade," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 44(3-4), pages 400-431, May.
    13. David L. Huff, 1963. "A Probabilistic Analysis of Shopping Center Trade Areas," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 39(1), pages 81-90.
    14. John R. Roy, 2004. "Spatial Interaction Modelling Embracing Microeconomics," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Spatial Interaction Modelling, chapter 3, pages 74-104, Springer.
    15. Reggiani, Aura & Bucci, Pietro & Russo, Giovanni & Haas, Anette & Nijkamp, Peter, 2011. "Regional labour markets and job accessibility in City Network systems in Germany," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 528-536.
    16. Gutiérrez, Javier & Cardozo, Osvaldo Daniel & García-Palomares, Juan Carlos, 2011. "Transit ridership forecasting at station level: an approach based on distance-decay weighted regression," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 1081-1092.
    17. Langford, M. & Higgs, G. & Fry, R., 2012. "Using floating catchment analysis (FCA) techniques to examine intra-urban variations in accessibility to public transport opportunities: the example of Cardiff, Wales," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 1-14.
    18. Frankena, Mark W., 1978. "A bias in estimating urban population density functions," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 35-45, January.
    19. Martínez, L. Miguel & Viegas, José Manuel, 2013. "A new approach to modelling distance-decay functions for accessibility assessment in transport studies," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 87-96.
    20. Kati Nilbe & Rein Ahas & Siiri Silm, 2014. "Evaluating the Travel Distances of Events Visitors and Regular Visitors Using Mobile Positioning Data: The Case of Estonia," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(2), pages 91-107, April.
    21. Yu Liu & Zhengwei Sui & Chaogui Kang & Yong Gao, 2014. "Uncovering Patterns of Inter-Urban Trip and Spatial Interaction from Social Media Check-In Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, January.
    22. Carey, Henry Charles, 1858. "Principle of social science," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number carey1858.
    23. Joan Carles Martori & Jordi Suriñach-Caralt, 2001. "Classical models of urban population density. The case of Barcelona Metropolitan Area," ERSA conference papers ersa01p46, European Regional Science Association.
    24. Chen Zhong & Michael Batty & Ed Manley & Jiaqiu Wang & Zijia Wang & Feng Chen & Gerhard Schmitt, 2016. "Variability in Regularity: Mining Temporal Mobility Patterns in London, Singapore and Beijing Using Smart-Card Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, February.
    25. Yang, Xiping & Fang, Zhixiang & Xu, Yang & Yin, Ling & Li, Junyi & Lu, Shiwei, 2019. "Spatial heterogeneity in spatial interaction of human movements—Insights from large-scale mobile positioning data," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 29-40.
    26. Marta C. González & César A. Hidalgo & Albert-László Barabási, 2009. "Understanding individual human mobility patterns," Nature, Nature, vol. 458(7235), pages 238-238, March.
    27. Jian Feng & Yanguang Chen, 2021. "Modeling Urban Growth and Socio-Spatial Dynamics of Hangzhou, China: 1964–2010," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-25, January.
    28. Mamun, Sha A. & Lownes, Nicholas E. & Osleeb, Jeffrey P. & Bertolaccini, Kelly, 2013. "A method to define public transit opportunity space," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 144-154.
    29. T J Fik & G F Mulligan, 1998. "Functional Form and Spatial Interaction Models," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 30(8), pages 1497-1507, August.
    30. John R. Roy, 2004. "Spatial Interaction Modelling," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-540-24807-1.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. He, Zhangyuan & Zhao, Pengjun & Xiao, Zuopeng & Huang, Xin & Li, Zhaoxiang & Kang, Tingting, 2024. "Exploring the distance decay in port hinterlands under port regionalization using truck GPS data," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    2. Jinfeng Wang & Guowei Luo & Yanjia Huang & Min Liu & Yi Wei, 2023. "Spatial Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Commuting in Central Urban Areas Using Mobile Phone Data: A Case Study of Nanning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Spencer Leitch & Zhiyuan Wei, 2024. "Improving spatial access to healthcare facilities: an integrated approach with spatial analysis and optimization modeling," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 341(2), pages 1057-1074, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang, Xiping & Fang, Zhixiang & Xu, Yang & Yin, Ling & Li, Junyi & Lu, Shiwei, 2019. "Spatial heterogeneity in spatial interaction of human movements—Insights from large-scale mobile positioning data," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 29-40.
    2. Halás, Marián & Klapka, Pavel & Kladivo, Petr, 2014. "Distance-decay functions for daily travel-to-work flows," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 107-119.
    3. He, Zhangyuan & Zhao, Pengjun & Xiao, Zuopeng & Huang, Xin & Li, Zhaoxiang & Kang, Tingting, 2024. "Exploring the distance decay in port hinterlands under port regionalization using truck GPS data," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    4. David Guerrero & Jean-Claude Thill, 2023. "Port competition in contestable hinterlands: The case of preferential relationships and barrier effects in Central Europe," Post-Print hal-04166277, HAL.
    5. Lenormand, Maxime & Bassolas, Aleix & Ramasco, José J., 2016. "Systematic comparison of trip distribution laws and models," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 158-169.
    6. Nir Kaplan & Itzhak Omer, 2022. "Multiscale Accessibility—A New Perspective of Space Structuration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, April.
    7. Chen, Yanguang, 2015. "The distance-decay function of geographical gravity model: Power law or exponential law?," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 174-189.
    8. Yeran Sun & Hongchao Fan & Ming Li & Alexander Zipf, 2016. "Identifying the city center using human travel flows generated from location-based social networking data," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 43(3), pages 480-498, May.
    9. Stanley Frederick W. T. Lim & Elliot Rabinovich & Sungho Park & Minha Hwang, 2021. "Shopping Activity at Warehouse Club Stores and Its Competitive and Network Density Implications," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(1), pages 28-46, January.
    10. Mengyao Ren & Yaoyu Lin & Meihan Jin & Zhongyuan Duan & Yongxi Gong & Yu Liu, 2020. "Examining the effect of land-use function complementarity on intra-urban spatial interactions using metro smart card records," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 1607-1629, August.
    11. Shiwei Lu & Shih-Lung Shaw & Zhixiang Fang & Xirui Zhang & Ling Yin, 2017. "Exploring the Effects of Sampling Locations for Calibrating the Huff Model Using Mobile Phone Location Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, January.
    12. Liu, Zhengying & Zhao, Pengjun & Liu, Qiyang & Cui, Yanzhe & Yang, Yuan & Liu, Juan & Li, Buhui & Li, Jingwei, 2023. "Exploring the spatial characteristics of the human mobility network in rural settings of China's Greater Bay Area," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    13. Aurélie Mercier & Stéphanie Souche‐Le Corvec & Nicolas Ovtracht, 2021. "Measure of accessibility to postal services in France: A potential spatial accessibility approach applied in an urban region," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(1), pages 227-249, February.
    14. Vladimir Marianov & H. A. Eiselt, 2016. "On agglomeration in competitive location models," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 246(1), pages 31-55, November.
    15. Oshan, Taylor M., 2020. "The spatial structure debate in spatial interaction modeling: 50 years on," OSF Preprints 42vxn, Center for Open Science.
    16. Mattia Cai, 2021. "Doubly constrained gravity models for interregional trade estimation," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(2), pages 455-474, April.
    17. M. Alonso & M. Beamonte & P. Gargallo & M. Salvador, 2014. "Labour and residential accessibility: a Bayesian analysis based on Poisson gravity models with spatial effects," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 409-439, October.
    18. Martín-Barroso, David & Núñez-Serrano, Juan A. & Velázquez, Francisco J., 2017. "Firm heterogeneity and the accessibility of manufacturing firms to labour markets," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 243-256.
    19. Chen, Xiqun (Michael) & Chen, Chuqiao & Ni, Linglin & Li, Li, 2018. "Spatial visitation prediction of on-demand ride services using the scaling law," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 508(C), pages 84-94.
    20. Chaogui Kang & Yu Liu & Diansheng Guo & Kun Qin, 2015. "A Generalized Radiation Model for Human Mobility: Spatial Scale, Searching Direction and Trip Constraint," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(11), pages 1-11, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:107:y:2023:i:c:s0966692323000248. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-transport-geography .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.