I think the challenge here is mixing mode with type of service.  While shared modes info would be great to have, how does a person respond if they take uber to work via car?  I know Taxi technically has the same issues, however it has historically been a very specific option. With ride hailing, shared modes, zipcars, it gets a bit muddied.  I would bet that Census will not make the ride hail change for this reason.  Perhaps we should be targeting the ownership/leasing questions to get at transportation services?  We could add a question or replace the time of day questions with ownership/lease/shared mode/ride hail service.

 

Heather

 

Heather M. Rose

Senior Transportation Futures Policy Analyst

FHWA, Office of Transportation Policy Studies

Heather.Rose@dot.gov

202-366-5060

 

From: ctpp-news [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of polzin cutr.usf.edu
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 4:29 PM
To: ctpp-news@chrispy.net
Subject: Re: [CTPP] Means of Transportation changes

 

It is difficult to know what might be prevalent in 2024 but given the emergence of scooters, hoover boards, etc. there may be some value in having some catchall category for electric personal mobility devices.

 

In addition, I feel strongly that the biggest improvement in the data would be to transition away from the "usual mode" language in the question. All the evidence suggests that the means of travel are becoming more diverse with individuals blending telecommuting and various travel means. Unfortunately, the American Community Service doesn't capture that richness and may under represents infrequent modes.  My preference would be to ask specifically about commuting on the most recent day one worked.

 

 

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Steven E. Polzin, PhD

Director Mobility Policy Research

Center for Urban Transportation Research

University of South Florida

4202 E. Fowler Ave., CUT100 | Tampa, FL 33620-5375 USA

813.974.9849 (o)or 813-416-7517(m) | Polzin@usf.edu | cutr.usf.edu

 

 

 

 

From: ctpp-news <ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net> On Behalf Of Reschovsky, Clara (OST)
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 4:02 PM
To: ctpp-news@chrispy.net
Subject: [CTPP] Means of Transportation changes

 

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:

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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