1. Passenger Mobility Task Force 21 May 2015
Round Table Discussion Item 5 of the Agenda

2. Points for discussion:
Reporting by mode of transport – all modes (based on stages) and the “main” mode
Reporting by average weekday & weekend day instead of by average day
Is the model questionnaire fit for purpose? What about medium & long distance travel?
Reference population – introducing lower age limit for children?
Clarification on breakdown categories – travel modes & travel purposes
Practical implementation of the Guidelines

3. Reporting by mode of transport :
Model questionnaire in Annex 3 is based on stages and the Eurostat recommendation is to collect mode of transport, distance and travel time for each stage and to compile indicators 2, 3 and 4 based on all modes.
Countries not yet collecting stage information should attribute the km and travel time of the whole trip to the “main” mode (mode with longest distance). Is it already current practise?
Cross-border trips starting or ending in the country of residence are to be fully included i.e. km and travel time should NOT be cut-off at the border but reflect the entire trip.

4. Average weekend and weekday:
All countries already collect data based on at least 1 weekday and 1 weekend day
Analysis presented in the SHANTI report shows very different mobility patterns during weekdays and weekends
DG MOVE would be interested in having possibility to monitor those patters separately for the policy making purposes
Eurostat recommends to compile the indicators separately for weekdays and weekends. The average day could be calculated if needed (weekday weighted by 5/7 and weekend day by 2/7) Is it feasible?

5. Is the model questionnaire fit for purpose?
Is the model questionnaire adequate for obtaining the indicators listed?
Should annex 2 and 3 be merged into one?
Is the stage-based model and the reference period proposed suitable also for the medium & long distance travel?
Or should it focus on short-distance and be complemented by additional questions like:
Number of trips > 300 km in the last 3 months, their distance, duration in days, purpose and the main mode ? What is the TF opinion on that?

6. Reference population :
Reference population – should sampling cover all ages or should we allow for a lower age limit for children?
Most countries have lower age limit: 6, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 (see summary table p. 85) and some have also upper limit at 84
SHANTI study on post-harmonisation used age 13 – 84 as common denominator for obtaining comparable results
Model questionnaire includes a question on trip companions for passenger cars (p.74)
Eurostat envisages proposing a lower age limit at the age of 14. What is TF opinion?

7. Clarification on breakdown categories
In the current version: Travel mode = Transport mode/type of transport = different vehicle types :
Passenger car (total, as driver, as passenger, shared service or taxi)
Motorcycle and moped
Bus and coach
Metro and tram
Train (total, high speed, regular, urban rail)
Aviation
Waterways (total, inland waterways, maritime)
Cycling
Walking
Other

8. Clarification on breakdown categories
Should travel modes be further simplified? E.g. “other” merged with “personal business” and “professional” with “work”?
Should we add clarifications? Dropping children to school is “education” or “escorting”? And if it’s on the way to work? Return home from shopping on the way from work is “work” or “shopping”?

9. Implementation of the Guidelines
Should anything else be corrected before first countries start implementing it?
Ideas for future improvements?
What are the main challenges to smooth practical implementation?
What kind of assistance could Eurostat offer?
Grants, individual advise to countries, information meetings?
Comments are welcome by the end of May

10. Thank you for your attention and your contributions 