All -
There has been substantial interest in and discussion about the next NPTS on several
listserves. Many of you want to know more about being an Add-On jurisdiction in the next
survey, including costs, timing, and any additional flexibility in the Add-on program. We
are seeking input on both the potential costs and other elements of the next survey.
Survey Costs
FHWA has let a "Request for Information" (RFI) on the potential costs of the
next NPTS. Although content and approach for the next NPTS have not been finalized, more
information is needed on potential survey costs, especially for states and MPOs who are
seriously considering the Add-on program. The approach taken in the Request for
Information is to use the content and methods of the 2001 NHTS as a strawman survey, and
to obtain separate costs for the GPS subsample, the nonresponse followup survey, and
collecting and geocoding trip origins and destinations.
The Request for Information, posted at:
http://www2.eps.gov/spg/DOT/FHWA/OAM/Reference%2DNumber%2DDTFH61%2D05%2DRFI…
If the link does not work, try:
http://www2.eps.gov/spg/DOT/FHWA/postdatePrevDays_1.html,
Click on "Request for Information for Costs of Conducting the NPTS 01" under
June 24, 2005.
The RFI will remain open for 30 days (until July 24, 2005).
Survey Design Elements
We encourage all who have questions, comments and suggestions for the next survey to
submit their input. We need to know more about:
o current data users and their experiences with the survey series,
o non-users and the reasons they don't use the data series
o modelers needs and the changes in travel demand modeling
o data needs on specialized topics in personal travel, such as walk & bike, elderly
mobility issues, etc.
There is a discussion forum called the Community of Practice where you can post questions,
suggestions etc. The URL is
http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/hcx.nsf/home?openform&Group=Househol…
If the link does not work, please try:
http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/hcx.nsf/home
Scroll to the bottom, and click on "Household Travel Data Program"
Thank you
Nanda Srinivasan (On behalf of Susan Liss, FHWA)