Identifying the recurring travel patterns among older people: A mobility motif analysis with smartphone track and trace data

Introduction

Understanding older people's mobility patterns and out-of-home activities is crucial for promoting their independence, active ageing and well-being. This study leverages mobility motif analysis to identify recurring travel patterns among older people and investigate how they are associated with out-of-home activity profiles.

Method

We collected continuous 12 weeks of mobility data using a smartphone Track and Trace app on 9147 journeys made by 43 participants (3612 person-days) aged 55 and above in the West Midlands Combined Authority, UK. To address self-selection and low participation rates, we matched participants with national survey data based on out-of-home activity profiles. Using network analysis, we identified distinct mobility motifs within daily travel networks.

Results

A total of 106 distinct mobility motifs were identified, with 19 key motifs representing the most recurring travel patterns, collectively accounting for 92.2 % of all daily travel networks. The distribution revealed high consistency with group profiles. Further analysis revealed inter-group variations in travel frequency, mode use, motif types, and journey purposes among the three groups.

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence-based insights for developing age-friendly urban systems and targeted interventions to enhance mobility inclusivity among older populations. The identified motifs reveal diversity in older people's travel behaviours and highlight the need for addressing mobility barriers to promote active and socially connected lifestyles, enhancing their well-being and quality of life.