Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, Greece

The limited availability of mobility data makes it challenging to model demand, especially its spatiotemporal variations. Simultaneously, traditional transport modeling tools often rely on less disaggregated approaches, leading to gaps in understanding. To overcome these limitations, this study intr...

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Main Authors: Eirini Andrinopoulou, Panagiotis G. Tzouras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3419
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author Eirini Andrinopoulou
Panagiotis G. Tzouras
author_facet Eirini Andrinopoulou
Panagiotis G. Tzouras
author_sort Eirini Andrinopoulou
collection DOAJ
description The limited availability of mobility data makes it challenging to model demand, especially its spatiotemporal variations. Simultaneously, traditional transport modeling tools often rely on less disaggregated approaches, leading to gaps in understanding. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces the spectral clustering method to uncover major demand patterns considering various transport modes. It focuses on Athens, Greece, and utilizes a set of 1347 reported trips. The study reveals six distinct trip clusters. The first group, “an evening stroll nearby”, captures short distance tours typically undertaken by walking. The second cluster, “my work is nearby but I use my car” highlights a significant trend where individuals with short commutes, less than 6 km, predominantly use private cars. The third cluster, “commuting by metro”, features long-distance trips primarily for work. The fourth cluster reveals long-distance work-related trips with private cars, favored by active residents with high income. The fifth pattern, “trips of young people”, involves midnight recreational and moderate-distance morning trips for education, with an increased usage of public transport. The sixth cluster concerns short distance tours for various activities. The findings indicate that the second cluster’s high reliance on private cars for short trips is problematic. Reducing this reliance should be a priority for policymakers.
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spelling doaj-art-c426f735b2a54bc7bb782e30abef86b92025-08-20T02:17:00ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01157341910.3390/app15073419Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, GreeceEirini Andrinopoulou0Panagiotis G. Tzouras1Department of Infrastructure and Rural Development, School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Politechneiou 9, 15780 Zografou, GreeceDepartment of Infrastructure and Rural Development, School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Politechneiou 9, 15780 Zografou, GreeceThe limited availability of mobility data makes it challenging to model demand, especially its spatiotemporal variations. Simultaneously, traditional transport modeling tools often rely on less disaggregated approaches, leading to gaps in understanding. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces the spectral clustering method to uncover major demand patterns considering various transport modes. It focuses on Athens, Greece, and utilizes a set of 1347 reported trips. The study reveals six distinct trip clusters. The first group, “an evening stroll nearby”, captures short distance tours typically undertaken by walking. The second cluster, “my work is nearby but I use my car” highlights a significant trend where individuals with short commutes, less than 6 km, predominantly use private cars. The third cluster, “commuting by metro”, features long-distance trips primarily for work. The fourth cluster reveals long-distance work-related trips with private cars, favored by active residents with high income. The fifth pattern, “trips of young people”, involves midnight recreational and moderate-distance morning trips for education, with an increased usage of public transport. The sixth cluster concerns short distance tours for various activities. The findings indicate that the second cluster’s high reliance on private cars for short trips is problematic. Reducing this reliance should be a priority for policymakers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3419spectral clusteringmode choicetravel patternurban mobilitytrip attributes
spellingShingle Eirini Andrinopoulou
Panagiotis G. Tzouras
Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, Greece
Applied Sciences
spectral clustering
mode choice
travel pattern
urban mobility
trip attributes
title Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, Greece
title_full Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, Greece
title_fullStr Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, Greece
title_full_unstemmed Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, Greece
title_short Applying Spectral Clustering to Decode Mobility Patterns in Athens, Greece
title_sort applying spectral clustering to decode mobility patterns in athens greece
topic spectral clustering
mode choice
travel pattern
urban mobility
trip attributes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3419
work_keys_str_mv AT eiriniandrinopoulou applyingspectralclusteringtodecodemobilitypatternsinathensgreece
AT panagiotisgtzouras applyingspectralclusteringtodecodemobilitypatternsinathensgreece