Data quality aspects for location-tracking in smart travel and mobility surveys

Travel surveys are well-suited to go 'smart', but success depends on respondent willingness and ability to report travel accurately. Location tracking can reduce burden and improve data quality, and supports mode and purpose prediction through contextual data.

However, privacy concerns and tracking errors—some requiring user input to correct—pose challenges. To explore feasibility, Statistics Netherlands conducted a 2018 field test with a proof-of-concept app, revealing subgroup differences but acceptable response rates. A 2022 experiment compared app-based and online surveys, with randomization across sample groups and tracking durations (one day or one week).

This paper examines data quality aspects of location tracking in smart travel and mobility surveys to guide improvements in technology and methodology.

Gootzen, Y., J. Klingwort & B. Schouten (2025). Data quality aspects for location-tracking in smart travel and mobility surveys. Discussion paper, Statistics Netherlands, The Hague/Heerlen.