A generic data-driven sequential clustering algorithm determining activity skeletons

Abstract

Many activity-based models start by scheduling inflexible or mandatory activities (if present), before more flexible activities. Often work and educational activities are assumed as most stringent and recognized as the only mandatory activities. According to this definition, only 45% of all schedules contains a mandatory activity (OVG single-day travel survey in Flanders, Belgium). This means 55% of schedules does not have a traditional mandatory-flexible activity structure. This research proposes a completely data-driven approach to reveal the real basic structure of individuals’ schedules, i.e. the skeleton schedule sequence. To this end, a sequential clustering algorithm was developed. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of the parameter settings was performed. The proposed method reveals a set of skeleton activity schedules and confirms the importance of work and education.