Classification of time activity pattern of urban population by season

Abstract

Time-activity pattern is a significant factor for exposure assessment models of air pollutants. Although season has been reported as one of the factors, which affects time-activity pattern, seasonal effects on time-activity pattern have not been studied in Korea. The objectives of this study were to determine the seasonal difference on time-activity pattern and to compare Similar Time Activity Groups (STAGs) by season in each urban city. A Time Use Survey of the Statistics Korea (KOSTAT) was conducted in the summer (18th to 27th July), fall (19th September to 1st October),and Winter (28th November to 7th December) of 2014. Location and activity data at every 10-minute interval were collected together with demographic information obtained by diary and questionnaire. Time activity data from Seoul (n = 3,981) and Busan (n = 2,171) were selected for time-activity pattern analysis in the urban population. Determinants of the time spent at each location in two cities were analyzed by multiple linear regression and the stepwise method. Cluster analysis was conducted for classification of STAGs. Time profiles of population at various locations were similar in three seasons in the two cities, both. The times spent at own home, other locations, workplace/school and during walks were similar over the three seasons in both Seoul and Busan populations. The most significant factors for time-activity pattern were working status, age, gender, monthly income and spouse. Season did not influence the time spent at locations in the Busan population. However, season affected the time spent at workplace/school and other locations in the Seoul population. Time-activity pattern of the Seoul/Busan populations were classified by various STAGs in summer, fall, and winter. Majority of the classified time activity patterns were similar between two cities. Matched STAGs in summer, fall, and winter accounted for 44.6 - 62.6% and 64.2 - 84.1% of the total population in Seoul and Busan populations, respectively. The seasons affected each timea ctivity pattern of the urban population slightly different, but overall there were few.