The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) recently released the findings of its Voices of the Region Survey. The survey asked area residents about their behaviors and attitudes about regional transportation, including travel during COVID-19 and post-pandemic expectations. The findings will help inform the region’s long-range transportation plan, Visualize 2045.

COG Public Engagement Specialist Karen Armendariz was part of the survey team, which also included Planners John Swanson, Stacy Cook, and Sarah Bond. 

Armendariz helped design the survey to capture the perspective of vulnerable populations, especially essential workers, as local leaders plan for the region’s COVID-19 recovery and beyond. For example, the survey found that only 21 percent of low-income respondents could telework and continue to be dependent on public transit and driving.

Armendariz coordinated focus groups as a second phase of the project to engage further with vulnerable communities. She even conducted one focus group entirely in Spanish. 

“Qualitative work can make a research project more inclusive because we are able to get more explanations and context about different issues, therefore having more opportunities to understand different perspectives and backgrounds,” said Armendariz.

Next, Armendariz is leading the effort to analyze the focus group research using qualitative research methods to paint a more complete picture of residents’ transportation needs.

MORE:
Washington Post: More biking, fewer trains: Survey examines the pandemic’s effects on mobility in the D.C. region
What DC-area commuters expect out of post-pandemic transportation options