Characterizing Global Activity Schedule Adjustment Behavior by Using a Sequence Alignment Method

Abstract

Considerable interest has developed recently in the decision-making processes underlying activity schedule adjustment. This paper suggests a method, based on sequence alignment techniques, to measure schedule adjustment behavior and applies the method to develop a model of the factors influencing schedule adjustment, with the use of data from a recent Internet-administered survey. The results indicate that the amount of schedule modification that occurs is largely determined by characteristics of the planned schedule instead of background socioeconomic or activity-related variables. The implications of this finding for future research in this area are considered.