Innovative Commuter Surveying Techniques Used in Advanced Transportation Management System Evaluation

Procedures and results associated with a unique approach for conducting commuter surveys in San Antonio, Texas, are presented. This approach was specifically developed in association with a before-and-after evaluation of Phase II of San Antonio’s advanced transportation management system (ATMS), known as TransGuide. The primary purpose of the surveys is to identify user understanding and utilization of ATMS components. The surveying approach used a geographic information system (GIS) application that would identify the appropriate group to survey on the basis of the location of the incident and the route information supplied by the survey panelists. This automated approach reduced the number of nonapplicable surveys that were distributed, was easy to use, and could identify the survey panel very quickly. Using the results of the GIS application, surveys were distributed in both paper and electronic formats. The electronic method consisted of sending via electronic mail a request to complete a survey that would guide the respondent to an on-line survey that they could use to answer the questions. The electronic survey significantly reduced the labor and materials costs associated with distributing the survey. The preliminary response rates indicate that, at a minimum, the electronic survey will provide the same response rate with a reduction in cost. Although issues concerning sample bias must be considered, the electronic survey method has the potential to be more effective and more efficient than most of the other surveying techniques commonly used in current practice.