RE: [CTPP] 2004 ACS Data Release

I think there is a major problem in the ACS survey data for 2004 because of not including group quarters. Princeton University is in Mercer County, and a good part of its student population is housed in dorms or eating groups (fraternities), which are group quarters. Something like 40% of the work trips in Princeton Boro are walk to work, probably mostly univeristy related jobs, and students employed within the Boro. The ACS leaving out group quarters may explain part of this. I also have a problem with aggregating 5 years of data and calling it a 5 year average. NJT opened a 33 mile Light Rail line in early 2004, connecting Trenton to Camden. I noticed in the Burlington County data a big jump in "railroad" work trips, probably related to this new rail line. How does a major change in transit service get averaged with 3 other years when it is a permanent change. This applies to any region where a major change in transit service gets implemented. What about possible shifts in carpooling this year due to gas prices. A 5 year average may not be worth much. I think Dr. Zakaria raises some real issues here, especially with big error rates, and I think major changes in transit service, gas prices etc. can skew things. -----Original Message----- From: ctpp-news-bounces(a)chrispy.net [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of Thabet Zakaria Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 9:54 AM To: ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net Subject: [CTPP] 2004 ACS Data Release 2004 ACS Data Release by Thabet Zakaria dated September 12, 2005 is resubmitted in PDF.