COG and TPB staff conduct a lot of research including surveys. During the past year, we have been talking a lot about three different survey products. They were conducted at different times with different purposes, so it seems like a good time to give a quick overview about these three surveys, what they are, how they’re being used, and where you can find more information about them.
The Regional Travel Survey
What is it? The 2017/2018 COG/TPB Regional Travel Survey (RTS) is a regional household travel survey for the Washington DC region conducted approximately once every 10 years since 1968.
When was this survey administered? The RTS was conducted by the TPB from October 2017 through December 2018. The data collection period spanned over a year to capture seasonal variations in regional travel patterns.
Who were the respondents? Households in the survey region (the TPB modeled region) were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Households first completed a recruitment survey online and then completed a one-day travel diary documenting all trips by household members. About 16,000 households completed both parts of the survey, exceeding the survey goal of a representative sample of 15,000 households in the region.
What is its purpose? The RTS provides the most comprehensive picture of regional travel patterns for both work and non-work trips in the Washington region, similar to a transportation census. Part from serving as the primary input for the TPB travel demand model used to forecast regional travel demand, the RTS depicts the amount, purpose and type of daily travel in the region to help inform local and regional transportation planning decisions.
While the RTS provides the most recent and comprehensive picture of travel in the Washington metropolitan region, it reflects the region before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it does provide a useful baseline for comparison with a “new normal” after the pandemic.
Where can I find more information about this survey? More information about the Regional Travel Survey and RTS resources including the Technical Documentation, the Regional Transportation Data Clearinghouse (RTDC) Tabulations, and the Public Files are available on the RTS website.
Learn more about the Regional Travel Survey
Commuter Connections Employer Telework Survey
What is it and when was this survey administered? Commuter Connections surveyed employers in its outreach program and Federal Agencies in June 2020.
What is its purpose? The survey was conducted to examine telework experience and changes in teleworking implemented by the employers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interesting takeaways: More than half of the worksites anticipate the continuance of teleworking at a higher rate than the pre-pandemic level. Seven in ten worksites will consider implementing work hours or commute strategies after the restrictions are lifted to reduce future virus outbreaks. These strategies include flexible/staggered work hours, compressed work schedules, employee shuttles, and expanded telework. Employers have also considered implementing other virus-prevention strategies at their worksites such as social distancing strategies, mask requirements, hand sanitizer stations, more telework/virtual meetings, temperature checks, etc. 50% of employers noted significant telework issues with child and dependent care being the most prevalent. Employee isolation, spouse/partner conflict, disconnection from management, and access to equipment were also considered significant telework issues. 80% of employers said managers have reported benefits of managing remotely.
Where can I find more information about this survey? Check out a presentation given during the July 21, 2020 Commuter Connections Subcommittee meeting.
Learn more about Commuter Connections.
Voices of the Region survey
What is it? The Voices of the Region survey was a public opinion survey of residents in the region. It was the first part of a two phase series of public participation for the TPB’s long-range transportation plan, Visualize 2045.
When was this survey administered? The survey was conducted in September and October 2020.
Who were the respondents? Respondents were people living in the region chosen at random who responded to an online survey. The survey was designed to be statistically valid for the following 10 geographic areas: District of Columbia, Charles County, Frederick County (including City of Frederick), Montgomery County (including Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park), Prince George’s County (including Bowie, College Park, and Laurel), the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County (including City of Fairfax, and Falls Church), Loudoun County and the Prince William County area (including Manassas and Manassas Park). Results from the survey will be available for these 10 geographies.
What is its purpose? The survey’s purpose was to gauge public opinion about transportation in the region. The theme for the Visualize 2045 outreach has been “Visualizing our transportation future together.” With that in mind the survey had three parts. It asked about how people’s travel habits had changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and how people imagined they would travel in the future. It also asked about the current system and how it could be better in the future. And finally, it asked about forces like climate change and equity and future technology like self-driving cars. It will provide input into a range of planning activities including Visualize 2045.
Learn more about the Voices of the Region survey.