Travel Preferences Subject of Survey (Metropolitan Report, v1 #2)
April 2000
Travel Preferences Subject of Survey
For 15 days in April, 1999, Resource Systems Group, Inc., conducted a Stated Preference Survey to assist BMC's Transportation Planning staff in developing a mode choice model. At 11 sites in the region, more than 600 people were asked about their most recent round trip that began and ended at home. They were then asked if they could be influenced to change their travel schedule or mode. Respondents used an interactive computer screen to record their answers.
- Nearly 90 percent reported that their last trip was between home and work.
- Half the group commuted for 35 minutes or less each way.
- Transit riders reported a mean travel time of 60 minutes. Nearly one-third of transit riders waited between 11 and 20 minutes at a station or stop.
- Three-quarters reported that they drove.
- Nearly half the drivers and one-third of the transit users left home between 7 and 9 a.m.
- Half of the drivers would drive at the same time if there were a $2 toll for peak period travel. Half would choose to leave home before 7 or after 9 a.m. rather than pay a toll.
- Of the 43 percent who drove alone, 40 percent would consider carpooling rather than pay a $2 toll for single-occupancy vehicles.
- Among the reasons for not using transit: takes too long (40 percent), need car during the day (20 percent), do not like to ride on public transit (nearly 15 percent), schedule not convenient (8 percent) and route not convenient (less than 7 percent).
Posted: April 26, 2000
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