People Rarely Leave 6-Mile Circle

In a study in Europe using cellphone GPS data, researchers discovered that people rarely leave a six-mile area around where they live. GPS cellphone data is being used for a host of urban planning studies like this.

1 minute read

March 22, 2010, 6:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

The Planning Commissioners Journal looks at a handful of studies using cellphone GPS data, and discusses the merits (detailed travel information) and the drawbacks (personal privacy issues) of the technique.

"In Rome, they combined that information with GPS data from city public transportation to capture an ever-changing picture of the city's activity, from traffic jams to nightlife hotspots. The information, [MIT professor Carlo] Ratti says, 'could be useful to traffic planners, emergency planners and others.'"

FULL STORY: Tracking Cellphone Users Locations

Friday, March 19, 2010 in Planning Commissioners Journal

Social / Demographics Technology Europe GPS Cellphones

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.