The effects of Information and Communications Technology on transport-related social exclusion for vulnerable populations

iCHRONOS will investigate the social exclusion of vulnerable population groups with regard to accessing major daily amenities in an increasingly digitized society. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is increasingly shaping travel behaviour by providing access to an umbrella of e-activities (e-working, e-shopping, e-leisure, etc.). However, ICT may trigger the fragmentation of activities, which could lead to a change in the use of places, and travel time and patterns, and thus also to considerable differences in accessibility levels. To address these issues, an innovative modelling-oriented research design is proposed, conceptualized under the framework of the time-geography approach. Luxembourg City, which is firmly committed to rolling out the digital economy, will serve as the case study. First, a data gathering process will be carried out, focusing on integrating three data sources: GPS tracking, everyday mobility diaries and a socio-economic questionnaire. Second, the way in which ICT creates space-time fragmentation of daily activities will be investigated. Third, the impact of this space-time fragmentation on transport accessibility will be modelled. Fourth, practitioners will reflect on the usefulness of space-time fragmentation and accessibility outcomes in practice. The expected output will be three academic papers in top-tier journals, as well as attendance at international conferences across Europe.

The project outcomes will provide much-needed reflection on and understanding of the interface between technology, mobility and social inequalities. Both the outcomes and output will build on the synergies of participating institutions, as (i) the proposal is tightly embedded in their main research lines, (ii) all the required infrastructure is already in place and (iii) collaborations with renowned academics already exist. In sum, the project will greatly enhance the capacity of the applicant to achieve an independent research career in academia.