Long-Distance Work and Leisure Travel Frequencies: Ordered Probit Analysis Across Non–Distance-Based Definitions

The objective of this research was to isolate the factors influencing non–distance-based definitions of long-distance travel to help long-distance survey makers know which demographic factors they should query about in their surveys. Instead of the use of a distance-based threshold to define long-distance travel, this study included variations in purpose (e.g., work travel or leisure or personal travel), durations (e.g., overnight trips), modes (e.g., intercity rail or bus), and destinations (e.g., inter national travel) to consider which demographic, employment, commute, household, and geographic factors affected the frequency of longdistance travel. The data were from self-reported retrospective surveys collected from approximately 1,200 participants. Results from ordered probit analysis revealed that education and income generally increased most types of long-distance travel, whereas having a spouse or children decreased some types of long-distance travel. In general, limited factors had the same impact on the work and non–work travel and modes used. Factors also varied by trip type. Commute and employment factors were valuable even for non–work trip frequency estimation. The findings suggest that future data collection for long-distance travel can be tailored to address the specific definition being studied.