Southern California Association of Governments to Conduct Regional Travel Survey; Comprehensive Multi-Phase Survey to Be Completed Later This Fall

    LOS ANGELES--Feb. 26, 2001--The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is about to undertake a Southern California Regional Household Travel Survey beginning in February. This unique, comprehensive survey is designed to collect a wide array of regional travel data that will assist in regional transportation and air quality planning, allowing for development of a more demand-responsive transportation network.
    Since the last survey was conducted in 1991, many changes have taken place throughout the region. The region has seen development of new highway facilities, such as the Century Freeway, while Metrolink, Metrorail, and the consent decree to increase bus service in Los Angeles County have enhanced transit services. Recovery of the regional economy, along with an increase in the use of the Internet and telecommuting, have also altered the travel landscape of Southern California. As a result, a new survey needs to be conducted to assess the effects of these changes and to support travel behaviors and options in the first decade of the 21st Century.
    "We urge residents to contribute to this process by participating in the survey," said Jim Sims, director of Data and Information Services at SCAG. "It is important that we take these necessary steps to improve the mobility of Southern California and to ensure that our transportation network meets the needs and demands of our region's travelers."
    The importance of this endeavor is widely recognized throughout the region. Public agencies such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino Associated Governments, Ventura County Transportation Commission, and the California Air Resources Board join SCAG in co-funding this effort to determine and improve mobility within the region. Orange County and Imperial County are also involved in the project.
    NuStats, a nationally recognized research firm, has been selected by SCAG to conduct the travel survey. The survey will be conducted over two time periods: Spring 2001 and Fall 2001. The survey will encompass 26,800 households in the six-county Southern California region. Participants will be asked to keep a log of their travel activity for one weekday. Other elements of the survey will include: a 6,000 household targeted sample to capture the travel behavior of transit and toll road users; a 3,100 household weekend sample employing a 48-hour travel diary; and a 500 household sample using Global Positioning technology. The results will allow planners to determine where and when traffic is most congested -- as well as what travel modes are most used -- so that solutions can be devised to reduce traffic congestion. The survey will coincide with a statewide household travel survey being conducted by Caltrans.
    For more information, please contact Johanna Zmud of NuStats at 800/447-8287 or Paul Burke of SCAG at 213/236-7938 or view the Web site at http://www.scag.ca.gov/travelsurvey.htm.