A constant travel time budget? In search for explanations for an increase in average travel time

Recent research suggests that during the past decades the average travel time of the Dutch population has probably increased. However, different data sources show different levels of increase. Possible causes of the increase in average travel time are presented here. Increased incomes have probably resulted in an increase in both costs and benefits of travel. The increase in travel time may also be due to benefits having increased more rapidly than costs. Costs may even have decreased due to the increased comfort level of cars and increased opportunities offered to make double use of one’s time (e.g. working in a train).