Household Travel Survey
In 2007, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council on behalf of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, teamed with the Transportation Planning Board at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to conduct a household travel survey in both the Baltimore and Washington regions.
The two councils are entering the data analysis phase of their respective household travel surveys. The results of the travel surveys will provide insight on how, where, when, and why people travel in the region.
For more information:
Robert Berger, rberger@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1037.
The two councils are entering the data analysis phase of their respective household travel surveys. The results of the travel surveys will provide insight on how, where, when, and why people travel in the region.
Data for the BMC survey was collected from randomly selected households in the Baltimore region. Each household completed a travel diary that documented the activities of all household members on an assigned day. Demographic information was also collected.
The surveys have been stored in a database, which contains records for approximately 4,500 households, 10,000 persons, 49,000 trips, and 6,000 vehicles.
Previous household travel surveys have shown that travel activity can vary significantly by household and jurisdiction. The same diversity is likely to be reflected in the current data.
The data will allow BMC staff to look at a number of issues. They include,
- Travel Flows – County-to-county, metropolitan, intermetropolitan.
- Mode Share – Proportion of trips that involve transit, carpooling, etc.
- Commuting – Indicators such as travel time and time left home.
- Life Cycle – Household status (worker / no worker, children / no children) as a predictor of trip rates.
- Trip Chaining – Combining several errands into one trip.
The last topic, trip chaining, should reveal something about the challenges of and opportunities for increasing the attractiveness of public transit. That’s an example of how the survey results may stimulate policy development. Other policy issues that the survey data may offer a new perspective on are the mobility needs of older citizens and reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
The interconnected economies of the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas have made coordination between the two Metropolitan Planning Organizations a top priority. The large travel flows between Washington and Baltimore are only the most obvious example of that interconnectedness.
For more information:
Robert Berger, rberger@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1037.
Links within this web site:
Survey Materials: Letter, Household Questionnaire, Household Diary (all pdf)
Household Travel Survey Frequently Asked Questions
Links to other web sites:
Last Updated: 04/07/2009