Abstract
Most travel surveys collect information about the locations of trip origins and destinations. The process of translating the location data collected in surveys into information that can be used in transportation planning, called geocoding, historically has been difficult and error prone. Geographic information system data and tools increasingly have been used to improve the process. Described is a new approach to geocoding that was developed and used in a recent mode choice survey conducted for the Baltimore (Maryland) Metropolitan Council. This approach, in which respondents complete the geocoding process themselves, is designed for use in a computer-assisted self-interview survey. Respondents are given tools that allow them to specify a street address, a nearest intersection, a business name, or a map location to locate the place that they visited. In the Baltimore application, respondents actively used all four methods. The analysis of how the methods were used indicates that the geocoding process benefits from providing all four of these options to respondents.
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