Matkaaikoja

Matkaaikoja is a Finnish term referring to the total duration of a journey between two locations. It describes the time required for travel, including the planned driving or riding time as well as any transfer or waiting periods. The concept is commonly used in transport planning, timetable design and travel applications to communicate how long a trip typically takes.

Matkaaikoja can be considered in two layers: planned travel times based on schedules and routes, and actual or historical travel times measured in real time or from past data. Planned times provide an estimate used in itinerary planning and service design, while real or past times reflect variations caused by traffic, delays, transfers, and other real-world factors.

In practice, matkaaikoja underpin route planning, passenger flow analysis and accessibility assessments. They are influenced by travel mode (public transit, private vehicle, walking, cycling), number and duration of transfers, time of day and day of the week, and external conditions such as weather or incidents. Accurate travel-time estimates help users compare options, optimize waiting times and improve overall travel experience.

Data sources and standards: travel-time estimates are produced from timetable data and real-time information. Common sources include transit agencies, GPS and sensor data, and data feeds such as GTFS and GTFS-realtime. While planned matkaaikoja offer useful benchmarks, actual times can vary, so many systems present both estimated and current travel times to reflect expected conditions. See also travel time, journey time, and accessibility.