Accessibility, E-shopping, and activity-travel patterns

Recent studies have examined what factors affect the adoption of E-shopping, why people adopt E-shopping, and what changes in activity-travel patterns will occur as a response to Eshopping. Few studies to date, however, have investigated the impact of the geographic context on people's E-shopping and travel behavior. This study examines the factors that influence people's E-shopping behavior using an activity-Internet diary data set collected in Columbus, Ohio (U.S.). It focuses particularly on the effect of shop accessibility and residential context on the adoption of E-shopping, the frequency of online purchases, and travel patterns. The results suggest that, as access to local shopping opportunities decreases, the Internet is more likely to be used because it eliminates the need to travel. The magnitude of this impact, however, is small. Further, the residential areas where people live also have an impact on E-shopping and travel patterns. People who live in areas with a white majority are more likely to adopt E-shopping and tend to buy online more frequently.