1. Data Collection Methods
In Transportation Planning

2. Many data collection methods
Customer satisfaction:
Public involvement :

3. Data Collection Methods
Traffic monitoring: Loop detector data (presence, speed, vehicle class)
Used to provide historical records of use and real time information to motorists:
Traffic cameras:

4. Queen of Data Collection Methods
Travel Survey
Queen of Data Collection Methods

5. Design of a Survey It is a process with many feedback loops
Many choices depend on the reason we collect data
Data as the base inventory
Data for models and simulations
Data for public involvement
Data for monitoring change (before-after)
It is heavily influenced by time and money budgets
Heavily quantitative but qualitative emerges as potentially powerful
It reflects the designers model of society or explicit/implicit models of funding agencies

6. Richardson-Ampt-Meyburg Survey Methods for Transport Planning
Survey Process
Richardson-Ampt-Meyburg
Survey Methods for Transport Planning
Eucalyptus Press

8. Emerging Research Direction in Travel Behavior
Human Interaction
Emerging Research Direction in Travel Behavior

9. A family’s day in South Perth
Male, 40 years, full time worker, driver
A family’s day in South Perth
Female, 36 years, home duties full time, driver
Male, 6 years, primary school
Male, 5 years, primary school
Figure by Pribyl

10. Another family’s day in
Male, 47 years, full time worker, driver
Another family’s day in
South Perth
Female, 42 years, home duties full time, driver
Female, 8 years, primary school
Male, 5 years, primary school
Figure by Pribyl

11. 10 Steps to Successful Surveys (Salant & Dillman)
Understand and avoid the four kinds of error
Be specific about what information you seek and why
Choose the survey method that will work best
Decide whether and how to sample
Write good questions
Design and test the questionnaire
Assemble the necessary resources
Code, computerize and analyze the data
Present your results
Maintain perspective
Reports and presentations
Types of Error

12. Coverage Error
Occurs when the list (sampling frame) from which the sample is drawn does not include all segments of the population that we want study/model
The list used is not accurate and up-to-date

13. Sampling Error
Occurs because the survey does not cover the entire population – it is not a census
Always happens to some extent
Reduces by increasing the sample size

14. Measurement Error
Occurs when a respondent’s answer to a question is inaccurate, imprecise or in any other way unusable
These errors come from— the survey method, the questionnaire, the interviewer, and the respondent
Relatively easier for the researcher to control using statistical methods

15. Non-Response Error
Occurs when a significant number of people in the sample do not respond to the questionnaire and are different from those that do in some way (this is also named selectivity bias in models)
This is a main reason to maximize the response rate

16. Main Types of Surveys Mail surveys Telephone surveys
Face-to-face surveys
Internet surveys (immobile and mobile)

17. When to Use Mail Surveys
You have a reliable address list
The people in the population will respond accurately and completely by mail
An immediate turnaround is not required
Resources are relatively scarce but you have considerable amount of time
Examples of lists:
Driver license rolls
Membership lists
Assumes a certain level of literacy

18. When to Use Telephone Surveys
The members of the population are very likely to have telephones
The questions are relatively straightforward
Experienced help is available
A quick turnaround is important
Only about 90% of Americans have phones
Examples w/no phones: The poor, migrant workers, retired who travel a lot
You need experienced interviewers

19. When to Face-to-Face Surveys
There is no list of the population
You need to collect information from people who are not likely to respond willingly or accurately by mail or telephone
The questionnaire is complex
Well-funded projects
Experienced interviewers are available
Example of no list:
Tourists at an attraction
The homeless
Non-respondents
Illiterate
Elderly and infirm

20. Maximize the Reward for Responding
Show the respondent positive regard
Give verbal appreciation
Use a “consulting” approach
Support the respondents values
Offer tangible rewards
Make the questionnaire interesting
Consulting approach
They have the information you need
“It is not known what people like you think about this issue, so we are asking you.”

21. Minimize the Cost of Responding
Make the task appear brief
Reduce the physical and mental effort required
Eliminate chances of embarrassment
Eliminate any implication of subordination
Eliminate any direct monetary cost

22. Establish Trust With the Respondent
Provide a token of appreciation in advance
Identify with a known organization that has legitimacy
Build on other exchange relationships

23. Schedule for the next few weeks
Today (10/16/06)
Section survey type
Next week (10/23/06)
Data collection methods part 2… components of surveys.
Section broken into groups
Start writing questions
10/30/06
Issues with components, continue writing questions
10/31/06
Check for redundancy in survey (lecture)
11/3/06 (Friday)
Component due to me

24. Questions for reading about survey type
What is the Daily Reconstruction Method (or Time Use Diary)?
What are the advantages of this survey type?
What are the main categories or sections (components) of the survey?
Start thinking about how you would implement this technique in transportation (challenge: DRM in transportation setting, time use with attitudes and perceptions).
Write a 1 page MAX summary about your survey method with these questions in mind.
TO ME BY THIS FRIDAY!!!!!!!