Hi CTPP’ers—
Many of you are Census-watchers.
The post below describes upcoming, 2019 changes to what’s asked on Census ACS questionnaires. (And if you don’t like it, read to the end for details on where to send your comments…)
My view: The changes described are all improvements to questions and response categories. If you’re deep involved in SCOP or CTPP subcommittee, you’ll recognize that the updating of “journey to work” modes<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-13> – specifically varieties of public transit – is what the CTPP subcommittee wanted and asked for 3 or 4 years ago. It does take Census Bureau and US OMB a few years to get thru the whole process of adding or revising the questions asked. But they’re now in the home-stretch!
Enjoy reading!
Cheers,
Todd Graham
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 9:49 AM
To: 'census.sdc.network.list(a)census.gov' <census.sdc.network.list(a)census.gov>
Subject: Content changes proposed for the 2019 American Community Survey — and a call for comments
Content changes proposed for the 2019 American Community Survey — and a call for comments<http://sdcclearinghouse.com/2018/01/16/content-changes-proposed-for-the-201…>
The Census Bureau periodically reviews the content of the American Community Survey (ACS). One aspect is validating that the survey continues to prioritize policy and program information needs. Beyond that, the Bureau works to assess and improve how questions are asked -- including question wording, response categories, and any instructions provided -- in order to capture the most complete and accurate information.
In a notice last month, the Bureau describes final changes proposed for the 2019 American Community Survey. The specific changes and new elements have been under consideration for three years or more. And an initial batch of recommended changes was tested through the 2016 ACS content test. The complete review and revision process is documented in section II of the Census Bureau's recent notice. (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-21 )
For the 2019 ACS, the Bureau proposes question changes or new questions in nine sections of the survey:
· Telephone service<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-11>: a redesigned question to collect information on types of telephone service.
· Health insurance<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-12>: a new question on premiums paid and any subsidies received.
· Journey to work<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-13>: revised question wording and updating descriptions of three types of public transit.
· Weeks worked<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-14>: revised question instructions and revision of response levels.
· Class of worker<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-15>: revised question instructions, wording, and response categories.
· Industry and occupation<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-16>: revised question instructions and wording, in order to elicit better descriptions.
· Retirement income<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-17>: revised question instructions and wording, expanding scope of retirement income considered.
· Relationship to "person 1"<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-18>: new response categories to clearly distinguish opposite-sex spouses, same-sex spouses, opposite-sex partners, and same-sex partners.
· Race and Hispanic origin<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-20>: a streamlined, unified categorization is proposed.
At this time, the Census Bureau is seeking the final approvals for the 2019 American Community Survey -- and the Bureau invites public comment. Per the Federal Register notice:
"The public is invited to comment on all questions on the ACS; however, the Census Bureau is particularly interested in comments on the wording changes to the nine ACS questions... which are proposed to be changed based on the results of the 2016 ACS Content Test." (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726/p-24 )
If you wish to comment on the ACS, now is your chance. The easiest options for providing input are:
1. emailing the Department of Commerce (PRAcomments(a)doc.gov<mailto:PRAcomments@doc.gov>), or
2. completing the "regulations.gov" online comment form that is linked to the Federal Register notice<https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-26726>. Look for the "Submit a Formal Comment" button. Please expect that the online form will limit the length of your comments.
The deadline for comments is February 12, 2018.
--Todd Graham
For the SDC Steering Committee
I am trying to compare the size of the workforce in my city, as reported by the 2012-16 ACS, to the size reported by the 2000 CTPP Part 2 Table. While I can do a straightforward comparison of figures, I'd like to evaluate the difference taking into account the 90% margin of error.
I can use 2000 Census documentation to determine how to compute MOEs for figures reported for my community's own population, households and housing stock. However, I am not sure how to approach this problem for the workforce, since the workforce is based on a sample from a larger population, perhaps county, state or national. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Cliff Cook
Clifford Cook
Senior Planning Information Manager
Cambridge Community Development Department
344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA. 02139
[cid:image001.png@01CF4355.A65408C0] <https://www.facebook.com/CDDat344> [cid:image002.jpg@01CF4357.3478C720] <https://twitter.com/cddat344> [cid:image008.jpg@01CF4357.3478C720] <http://cddat344.tumblr.com/> [cid:image010.jpg@01CF4357.3478C720] <http://instagram.com/cddat344>
www.cambridgema.gov/CDD<http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD.aspx>
ccook(a)cambridgema.gov<mailto:ccook@cambridgema.gov>
M: 8:30-8:00 T-Th: 8:30-5:00 F: 8:30-Noon
617/349-4656
617/349-4669 FAX
617/349-4621 TTY
The Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), which
houses the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization has a
job opening for a *Transportation Planner*.
The primary responsibility of this position is to maintain and update the
Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Review of resumes and cover letters will begin on 1/22/2018. The position
is opened until filled.
Follow the link below for more information and job description on the MPC's
website:
<http://knoxmpc.org/employment/2017-12-29_Knoxville-Knox%20County%20Metropol…>
Transportation Planner
<http://knoxmpc.org/employment/2017-12-29_Knoxville-Knox%20County%20Metropol…>
--
Mike Conger, P.E.
Senior Transportation Engineer
Knoxville Regional TPO
400 Main St, Suite 403
Knoxville, TN 37902
Ph: 865-215-3813 <(865)%20215-3813>
What's the cure for a bitter winter day? Urban transportation
demographics, of course! The Census for Transportation Planning
Subcommittee, ABJ30(1) will be meeting on Monday, January 8 at 12:15
PM-1:15 PM in Liberty P in the Marriott Marquis. We will discuss
subcommittee business, get Census program updates, and there will be a
guest speaker. More information can be found at
http://www.trbcensus.com/TRB2018/.
I look forward to seeing you there!
--
Mara Kaminowitz, GISP
GIS Coordinator
.........................................................................
Baltimore Metropolitan Council
Offices @ McHenry Row
1500 Whetstone Way
Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-732-0500 ext. 1030
mkaminowitz(a)baltometro.org
www.baltometro.org
Some discussion came up at our recent conference in Kansas City about
earlier days of the program when public sector employees would get data
request from folks in various private sector industries. The CTPP Board
Training & Outreach subcommittee wanted to generate an anecdotal list from
listserv members of who they know using the data--beyond more traditional
public sector transportation planners and their consultants. This could be
some non-traditional research area at a university, some more obscure
public agency use case, or a private sector application. Knowing not only
who is using it but what they're using it for is always a plus.
Feel free to reply to the listserv or me directly.
Thanks in advance!
Ben
*Ben Gruswitz, AICP *|* Senior Planner*
Office of Long-Range Planning
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
190 N Independence Mall West, 8th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1520
215.238.2882 <http:/#> | bgruswitz(a)dvrpc.org <http:/#>
www.dvrpc.org
*Apologies for cross-postings
FHWA is establishing a new pooled fund program in support of the next
generation National Household Travel Survey (NHTS). The NextGen NHTS will
integrate passive data with household travel surveys to provide both
long-distance and local travel behavior data on an annual basis. We invite
you to come and learn more about this new pooled fund effort while at TRB:
What: NextGen NHTS Pooled Fund Program Open House
When: Monday 1/8, 1-2 pm
Where: Convention Center Conference Room 302
This pooled fund is designed to bring together agencies considering their
next household travel survey program in order to learn from each other's
experiences to date and design the NextGen NHTS. Pooled fund participants
will identify design elements and benefit from research into critical
questions about the evolution to a hybrid travel behavior data source,
including guidance for evaluating passive data opportunities and
benchmarking results.
Whether you just completed a household travel survey or are actively
researching your 2020 survey program, this pooled fund program will equip
your agency with the research and results needed to meet local and long
distance travel behavior needs on an annual basis. We hope to see you at
TRB!
For more information or to RSVP, contact:
Wenjing Pu, PhD, PE
DOT | FHWA | Office of Highway Policy Information
(202) 366-5024
wenjingpu(a)dot.gov <mailto:wenjing.pu@dot.gov>