Clara,

This is probably a topic worn out some other time, but as a pedestrian and bicycle transportation planner, I really would like to see some way to account for bike or walking trips that are substantial, like the two miles from the ferry terminal or the train station to the office.  So often biking in particular presents distance or facility barriers that require part of a trip be by another mode, and so the biking portion of the journey to work does not get reported.  I realize that it is easy to junk up the data to a point that you can't do analysis, and I don't make my living thinking of the many ways to do that, but I'd appreciate you at least thinking about how to capture those multi-mode trips.  

Thanks,
Barb

On Tue, Jul 17, 2018 at 4:02 PM, Reschovsky, Clara (OST) <clara.reschovsky@dot.gov> wrote:

CTPP community,

 

As some of you may remember, or not since it has been a while, the Census Bureau is changing the Means of Transportation question categories for public transit options in 2019.  This change is the result of a content test conducted in 2016 by the Census Bureau.  Here is the current question as it appears on the form and the new version which will be implemented in January 2019.

 

2018 Version:

cid:image002.jpg@01D41DBE.4DCAE000

 

 

2019 Version:

cid:image003.png@01D419FB.68C93710

 

So now that you see that change can happen even if it takes a long time, we have a new opportunity! 

 

Currently the Census Bureau is planning another Content Test for the American Community Survey.  US DOT has the opportunity to propose a new change to the journey-to-work questions.  At this point, we are thinking of proposing the addition of ride-hailing services to the Taxicab category in the Means of Transportation question.  The initially proposed change is from ‘Taxicab’ to ‘Taxi or ride-hailing services’.

 

The Content Test will be conducted in 2021 and any changes that are deemed successful will be implemented in 2024.  At this point, it is hard to know how technology will change in the next six years and how that will affect the ACS data, but this is a known emerging mode.  However, we need to act now to have any changes considered.

 

I am interested in hearing your input and hopefully support on this proposed change, but I must caution you on a few details.  We cannot add a specific company name (such as Uber and Lyft) to the options.  We also have very limited space available on the form, however, in consultation with the form design experts at the Census Bureau we can change Taxicab to be a two line choice like ‘Long-distance train or commuter rail’ on the 2019 form.  I know that some of you would really like to see ride-hailing as a separate option and that is unlikely to be successful because of space of the form.  If you have any thoughts on this topic, please let me know by July 31st, and for everybody, look forward to the new data detail on Means of Transportation from Census!

 

Clara

 

Clara Reschovsky

Survey Statistician

Office of Survey Programs

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

US Department of Transporation

(202) 366-2857

clara.reschovsky@dot.gov

 


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--

Barb Mee, AICP  
Transportation Planner
City of Asheville
PO Box 7148
Asheville, NC  28802
Office:  (828) 232-4540
Cell:  (828) 275-5514
www.ashevillenc.gov


Asheville is a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community and a silver level Walk Friendly Community!  Do you have questions or comments about walking or bicycling in Asheville?  Email me back, or to iwalk@ashevillenc.gov, or ibike@ashevillenc.gov, or call (828) 232-4540.