Travel survey underway to collect data for MDOT and SEMCOG

Randomly selected households participate in travel survey

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) begin a yearlong household travel survey that will provide vital information used to set transportation priorities for the next 20 years.

Randomly selected households will receive a letter inviting household members to take part in the study, providing demographic information and keeping a travel diary.

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Some participants will be asked to participate in part of the study that will use global positioning systems (GPS) devices to collect specific route information.

Transportation agencies will use the data to better understand household travel and project citizens' future travel needs, the last survey collected by MDOT and SEMCOG in 2004-2005, and updated by MDOT in 2009.

"MI Travel Counts will paint a picture of why people travel and how they plan their daily travel activities," said State Transportation director Kirk T. Steudle. "It will provide MDOT and its transportation partners with up-to-date information to identify where to invest limited transportation resources."

"Public participation is the key to effective transportation planning," said Steudle. "These households will share information that will result in easier and safer travel, less congestion and more access and choices for every Michigan citizen."

The study will be conducted Westat, a nationally recognized research firm. The information gathered will be converted to statistical data used only for study purposes. All information will remain confidential.