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CHAPTER THREE
CURRENT STATE OF PRACTICE FOR WEB-BASED TRANSIT SURVEYS
This chapter details what was learned from, and discusses surveys are distributed relatively evenly by size, indicating
the results of, the web-based survey done for this synthe- that not just large transit agencies are conducting such sur-
sis study. The survey was completed by 36 transit profes- veys. Table 2 shows the breakdown of respondents to the
sionals (25 transit agency employees and 11 other transit synthesis survey by region and agency size and by whether
researchers). It is worth noting that this was a survey about or not they currently use web-based surveys.
surveys, or a meta-survey, which aimed to understand how
research is being conducted by transit researchers. The sur- For the most part, web-based survey use appears to be
vey has a relatively small sample and, as mentioned in specialized for many agencies as a result of coverage con-
chapter two, used convenience sampling owing to the rel- cerns and because agencies are moving into the technology
atively small number of researchers in the field and to the slowly (e.g., using the web as a tool on small, specialized
limited scope of the synthesis project. As also mentioned studies before using it on major research surveys such as
in chapter two, this survey likely has some nonresponse origindestination studies). However, there are some excep-
bias that might overstate the amount of web-based survey tions where transit agencies are using web-based survey
research currently occurring in transit. Even with these research on significant studies. In general, trends indicate
caveats, the survey provides a basis for understanding what movement toward the increased use of web-based methods,
is occurring in the transit industry with regard to transit with more than 70% of those currently not using the web
web-based surveys. This chapter describes what is and noting that they are "somewhat likely" (44%) to "very likely"
what is not happening with web-based research and ana- (28%) to begin using web-based surveys within two years.
lyzes the reasons for the current state of practice of transit
agencies and other transit researchers regarding web-based The primary reason provided in the synthesis survey in
survey research. The topics covered in this chapter include: support of the use of web-based surveys is the efficiency with
respect to time and money. Seventy percent of respondents
· Current use of web-based surveys in the transit industry; currently using web-based surveys made favorable comments
· Frequency, types, and areas of usage of transit surveys about the technology, citing its effectiveness and efficiency in
currently being conducted (web-based and not web- being able to reach certain target populations. Respondents
based); stated that they believe that web-based surveys increase
· Areas where web-based survey techniques are most response rates because they are convenient and "provide an
effective for the five types of surveys explored in this option for those who wish to use it [to] reach a certain group
synthesis (origindestination, customer satisfaction, of people." Those using web-based survey technology also
mode choice, planning, and other); and appreciate the "ability to present complicated subject matter,
· Methods being employed for web-based surveys, question design, and graphics." They value the opportunity
including advice and concerns. for "fast turn-around and cost-effectiveness." Respondents
recognize that the cost savings derived from conducting web-
CURRENT USE OF WEB-BASED SURVEYS based surveys stems not only from the efficient manner of
IN TRANSIT INDUSTRY data collection that does not require significant on-the-street
fieldwork, but also because data are brought in consistently
The use of web-based surveys is limited in the transit indus- and easily with real-time data validation providing a clean
try, although there are a significant number of respondents data set more quickly than other survey methods. One partic-
from transportation agencies and other transit professionals ipant stated, "Respondents tend to answer more questions and
using this method, which could be somewhat overstated as a work at it longer," which further improves data quality.
result of the previously mentioned limitations of the sample.
Those using the web in some form comprised 39% (14 of 36 When asked about possible disadvantages to using the tech-
completed questionnaires) of our survey sample. Agencies nology, nearly all respondents currently using web-based sur-
that responded to the survey varied in size: 40% large (more veys cited their concern over a coverage bias resulting from
than one billion passenger miles annually), 30% medium limited Internet penetration in the target population. (One
(between 75 million and one billion passenger miles annu- respondent asserted that "it [web-based surveys] can only be
ally), and 30% small (fewer than 75 million passenger miles used as an optional response mechanism because of limited
annually). Responding agencies currently using web-based penetration.") Survey respondents worry that they may not be
