Cell Phone Location Data for Travel Behavior Analysis

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research Report 868: Cell Phone Location Data for Travel Behavior Analysis presents guidelines for transportation planners and travel modelers on how to evaluate the extent to which cell phone location data and associated products accurately depict travel. The report identifies whether and how these extensive data resources can be used to improve understanding of travel characteristics and the ability to model travel patterns and behavior more effectively. It also supports the evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of anonymized call detail record locations from cell phone data. The report includes guidelines for transportation practitioners and agency staff with a vested interest in developing and applying new methods of capturing travel data from cell phones to enhance travel models.