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Why we travelled

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Work related journeys comprised a greater percentage of total journeys for males (30.5%) than was the case for females (20.3%). This follows the same pattern as in 2012 and 2013. However, females were nearly twice as likely as males to make a journey for the purpose of accompanying another person (17.7%). Also, over one quarter of all journeys made by females in 2014 were for the purpose of shopping. Over one in ten journeys by both males and females were for the purpose of visiting family or friends.

Distribution of
journeys by,
purpose 2014
Females
Work20.3
Education5.3
Shopping25.1
Visit family/
friends
11.1
Entertainment/
leisure/
sports
9.5
Companion/
escort journey
17.7
Other incl
eat/drink,
personal business
11
Distribution of
journeys by,
purpose 2014
Males
Work30.5
Education3.6
Shopping22.7
Visit family/
friends
10.5
Entertainment/
leisure/
sports
10.2
Companion/
escort journey
9.3
Other incl
eat/drink,
personal business
13.3
3.1 Percentage distribution of journeys by purpose and gender, 2012, 2013 and 2014

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Table 3.2 shows the distribution of journeys by degree of urbanisation. Where a person lives does not seem to have any significant effect on the reasons for making journeys. 

 

distribution of
journeys by purpose
and degree
of urbanisation
Densely populated areaIntermediate density areaThinly populated area
Work25.725.123.6
Education44.65.4
Shopping2422.924.8
To eat or drink1.721.8
Visit family / friends10.811.810
Entertainment / leisure / sports10.48.510.1
Personal business4.45.86
Companion / escort journey14.214.512.4
Other4.94.75.9
3.2 Percentage distribution of journeys by purpose and degree of urbanisation, 2012, 2013 and 2014

Table 3.3: Percentage distribution of journey purpose by distance, 2012 , 2013 and 2014
              
Purpose 2012 2013 2014Unweighted 2014 sample (journeys taken by persons aged 18 years or over)
 <2 kms2<4 kms4<6 kms6<8 kms8+ kms <2 kms2<4 kms4<6 kms6<8 kms8+ kms <2 kms2<4 kms4<6 kms6<8 kms8+ kms
  %%%%% %%%%% %%%%%
Work 13.616.818.924.532.0 16.419.122.523.432.9 15.220.321.822.633.42,222
Education 7.14.43.93.94.1 6.64.84.13.33.8 5.16.35.04.93.2336
Shopping 27.624.720.516.817.4 30.325.422.121.218.0 31.429.323.920.918.32,485
To eat or drink 4.12.22.32.51.3 3.41.91.81.91.3 2.72.02.21.11.2179
Visit family/friends 8.67.89.411.213.1 7.58.08.312.113.0 9.37.19.811.613.51,069
Entertainment/leisure/sports 6.210.612.510.48.9 8.310.712.711.69.1 8.19.313.110.39.91,019
Personal business 6.05.34.45.26.4 5.35.46.07.07.5 4.43.95.54.96.0529
Companion/escort journey 22.623.323.221.013.6 17.420.018.015.411.0 18.816.913.917.19.31,447
Other 4.34.85.04.63.3 5.04.74.44.13.5 4.94.94.86.75.2585
All purposes100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0 100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0 100.0100.0100.0100.0100.09,871
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values.

In 2014, just over 15% of all journeys of less than two kilometres were work related, while nearly one third (31.4%) were for the purpose of shopping and nearly one fifth (18.8%) were companion/escort journeys. One third of journeys of eight kilometres or more were for the purpose of work.

Table 3.4: Percentage distribution of journey purpose by duration, 2012 , 2013 and 2014
Purpose2012 2013 2014Unweighted 2014 sample (journeys taken by persons aged 18 years or over)
15 mins or less16-30 mins31-45 mins46-60 mins>60 mins 15 mins or less16-30 mins31-45 mins46-60 mins>60 mins 15 mins or less16-30 mins31-45 mins46-60 mins>60 mins
 %%%%  %%%%% %%%%%
Work17.528.540.431.925.4 19.730.340.533.526.6 20.230.141.128.128.12,222
Education4.55.16.64.34.1 4.54.45.54.06.4 4.44.56.34.93.1336
Shopping24.619.712.111.812.7 26.920.610.812.87.3 28.920.613.512.98.32,485
To eat or drink2.91.81.00.90.1 2.21.81.50.80.7 2.21.31.70.60.5179
Visit family/friends9.611.110.511.720.4 9.410.910.210.517.6 9.312.011.214.918.31,069
Entertainment/leisure/sports7.49.89.619.117.4 7.710.813.618.818.3 7.812.010.518.115.51,019
Personal business5.75.66.56.26.6 6.16.16.58.210.7 5.14.74.35.89.3529
Companion/escort journey23.714.69.78.47.7 19.511.16.94.95.6 17.89.96.24.27.71,447
Other4.13.73.65.65.5 3.94.04.56.56.9 4.45.05.210.49.2585
All purposes100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0 100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0 100.0100.0100.0100.0100.09,871
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values.

Nearly 30% of all journeys that took 15 minutes or less to complete were for the purpose of shopping while one fifth (20.2%) were work related and about 18% were companion/escort journeys. Over 28% of journeys that took more than one hour were for the purpose of work while over 18% were visiting family or friends.

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Over one quarter of journeys by car (either as a driver or passenger) for persons living outside of Dublin were for the purpose of work compared with 22.6% for Dubliners. On the other hand, nearly 40% of journeys by public transport for persons living in Dublin were work related compared with just over one fifth of journeys by people residing outside of Dublin. Nearly 30% of all journeys by walking or cycling for persons living in Dublin were for the purpose of shopping.

3.5: Percentage distribution of journeys by purpose and by mode for Dublin and all regions excluding Dublin

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In 2014, the proportion of journeys which were undertaken for work related reasons was highest amongst 18-34 year olds (31.1%).  Journeys made for the purpose of education showed a similar pattern with 10.9% of all journeys made by 18-34 year olds for this purpose. Companion/escort journeys by the 35-54 age group were twice those taken by the 18-34 year age group. Over one fifth of all journeys (20.1%) made by 35-54 year olds were companion/escort journeys. Over one quarter (26.2%) of all journeys undertaken by persons aged 55 years and over were for the purpose of visiting family or friends or for entertainment, leisure or sports.

distribution of
journeys by purpose
and age classification
18 - 3435 - 5455+All ages
Work31.128.213.125
Education10.930.64.5
Shopping eating or drinking21.723.234.425.7
Visit family
friends or entertainment
leisure
20.817.526.220.7
Personal business or
other purpose
5.17.919.710.3
Companion
escort journey
10.520.16.113.8
3.6 Percentage distribution of journeys by age classification, 2012, 2013 and 2014

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