Suburban travelers pressed for time: Exploring the temporal implications of metropolitan commuting in Barcelona

• Published in: Journal of transport geography Vol. 65; pp. 165 - 174
• Main Authors: Delclòs-Alió, Xavier, Miralles-Guasch, Carme
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Barcelona; Colleges & universities; Commuting; Daily mobility; Metropolitan areas; Mixed methods; Mixed methods research; Mobility; Multidimensional methods; Qualitative analysis; Smartphone tracking; Studies; Suburban areas; Suburban commuting; Travel; Travel time; Barcelona Spain; Spain; Travel time; Smartphone tracking; Mixed methods; Barcelona; Suburban commuting; Daily mobility
• ISSN: 0966-6923; 1873-1236
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2017.10.016

This study explores the multiple temporal dimensions that commuting to a suburban location can have as an intensive and recurrent daily practice. Focusing on the suburban commute to a university campus in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region, a mobility survey is first combined with tracking data to explore the clock-time side of this phenomenon. The manner in which this daily practice is experienced is delved into using in-depth interviews. Results point out that intensive commuting is to be understood both considering its relation with daily travel time and its territorial context. Qualitative analysis shows how these suburban commuters are concerned for time, and presents strategies at different spatial and temporal scales. This paper provides insight to mobility studies by exploring the multidimensional nature of travel time, and to a growing mixed-methods research field by combining traditional and innovative sources.