How Different Are Activities While Commuting by Train? A Case in Tokyo

Generally, travel is considered a demand derived from the desire to engage in activities at destinations and travel time is also considered a wasteful time. However, if people can engage in activities while travelling, travel time is not just a wasteful time but could be a productive time. In recent years, ICTs provide travellers with various activity opportunities while travelling. This paper examined what activities train commuters were engaging in while travelling and what factors of travel environment and passengers’ characteristics caused the difference in activities conducted and desired. Through on‐board observation and questionnaire surveys, we found that difference in travelling mode (standing, sitting in normal/high‐grade/extra‐high‐grade trains), the length of in‐vehicle time and type of work hours affected the participation rate of different types of activities. Train environment with wider personal space and more secure privacy would induce activities restricted in the current travel environment and some commuters prefer to pay extra money to obtain it.