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Travel options research library

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Download research and reports related to the effectiveness of efforts to reduce drive-alone trips and change travel behavior.

Download research and reports below

Human resources workshop: Moving employer based travel programs forward – audio file, April 2013

Portland-area human resource professionals and Travel Option (TO) managers discussed ways to increase walking, biking and transit commuting in our region through employer-based programs. The panel discussion included how TO program managers support HR efforts to engage employees; how TO managers can make a better case for such programs to management; and the best ways for TO managers to reach HR professionals. Other topics discussed were tax benefits, building TO membership, outreach to public transit providers and more. Sarah Angell of Swan Island TMA, and Caleb Winter from Metro, moderated the discussion. Panelists included Sally Holmes, SPHR, Boeing Portland Human Resources; Gable Hofman, Daimler Trucks North America; and Jodi Wilson, Metro.

RTO travel and awareness survey report, October 2012

EnviroMedia and DHM Research conducted a telephone research study among 581 Portland metropolitan area residents to assess awareness of RTO programs and use of travel options. Comparing results from a 2010 baseline survey, 2012 results start to track awareness of RTO programs such as employer outreach, individualized marketing and traveler information. Results show that awareness of RTO programs grew since the baseline Travel and Awareness Survey. Questions on travel options use helped RTO learn about markets for future RTO efforts. For example, the survey found that a portion of daily drivers use travel options on at least a monthly basis (32 percent walk, 16 percent use transit and 6 percent bike). Respondents who make occasional transportation trips walking, biking and taking transit said they were motivated to reduce car trips “to save money” and “to be healthier.”

Regional Travel Options program evaluation, June 2012

Regional Travel Options contracted with Nelson\Nygaard Consulting to evaluate all program efforts over the 30-month period between January, 2009 and June, 2011. The third-party evaluation looked at whether the program achieved the goals outlined in work plans and grant agreements. Programs with both high investment and quantitative data were then analyzed in further detail to estimate vehicle miles reduced (resulting in reduced air pollution) and Metro’s return during two years of investment. Lessons learned from the evaluation inform prioritization of funding and evaluation requirements in the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan Update. RTO program accomplishments for the two-year investment include 83 million vehicle miles reduced. RTO estimates this saved 4 million gallons of gas which would have cost residents $11.6 million. Residents also would have paid $0.8 million on tires and $3.7 million on maintenance. RTO estimates that annual air pollutants were reduced by 118,000 pounds of volatile organic compounds and 18,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

RTO travel and awareness survey and focus group research summary, June 2011

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. (DHM Research) conducted telephone and focus group research to assess the travel options and awareness of travel choices among residents living in the Portland-metro region. The telephone survey was conducted between October 24 and November 5, 2010. The baseline information obtained from the survey results provides Metro a valuable tool to track awareness of RTO programs such as employer outreach, individualized marketing and travel information sources. Based on telephone survey findings, subsequent focus groups were conducted with a potential market of drivers who occasionally use other non-auto modes. The focus groups were asked how they might regularly use transportation options with additional information sources or incentives.

Regional Travel Options 2007-08 program evaluation, July 2010

Regional Travel Options contracted with the Portland State University Center for Urban Studies to evaluate all program efforts over the 24-month period Jan. 1, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008. Services provided were shown in relationship to the Regional Travel Options program 5-Year Strategic Plan. The level of participation, satisfaction and the use of travel options were measured where possible. RTO objectives and connections to other regional goals were assessed where possible. Results included auto-trip reductions. Recommendations for improving data collection were made. Each RTO-partner program is detailed individually in the appendices.

Regional Travel Options 2005-06 program evaluation, July 2007

Regional Travel Options contracted with the Portland State University Center for Urban Studies to evaluate all program efforts over the 18-month period July 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2006. Services provided were shown in relationship to the Regional Travel Options program 5-Year Strategic Plan. The level of participation, satisfaction and the use of alternative travel options were measured where possible. Finally, the extent to which programs supported RTO objectives and connections to other regional goals was assessed. Results included auto-trip reductions. Recommendations for improving data collection were made. Each RTO-partner program is detailed individually in the appendices.

Regional Travel Options 2004-05 program evaluation, July 2006

Regional Travel Options contracted with the Portland State University Center for Urban Studies to evaluate all program efforts over the 2004-05 fiscal year. Services provided were shown in relationship to the Regional Travel Options program 5-year strategic plan. The level of participation, satisfaction and the use of alternative travel options were measured where possible. Finally, the extent to which programs supported RTO objectives and connections to other regional goals was assessed. Results included auto-trip reductions. Recommendations for improving data collection were made. Each RTO-partner program is detailed individually in the appendices.

Rideshare program market research and implementation plan, August 2005

The Regional Travel Options Subcommittee tasked the UrbanTrans Consultants Team, consisting of UrbanTrans, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Elham Shirazi, with conducting a comprehensive rideshare program market research and program implementation study aimed at answering five main questions regarding development and implementation of a rideshare program for the Portland metropolitan region: Where are we today? Where are the best opportunities for program growth? What is the best organizational structure for development, implementation and evaluation of the regional rideshare program? What are the programmatic considerations for success? How do we track progress toward the five-year goal? The report and technical appendices are available to download.

Metro 2040 modal targets study, evaluation of potential measures for achieving modal targets, July 2005

The report documents policies, approaches and measures to reduce drive-alone trips identified in regional and local transportation plans, evaluates the effectiveness of existing and potential measures to reduce drive-alone trips, recommends a menu of minimum requirements for local governments to meet drive-alone trip reduction requirements, and recommends future amendments to the Regional Transportation Plan. Cogan Owens Cogan, Alta Planning + Design and David Evans and Associates developed the report in conjunction with Metro and local government partners. The full report, executive summary and appendices are available to download.

Travel behavior barriers and benefits research, December 2004

A report that identifies the real and perceived barriers and benefits to changing travel for all types of trips. PRR and EcoNorthwest conducted the study in 2004 for Metro. Study research included a literature review, focus groups and a quantitative survey.

Files and related materials

• Human resources workshop: Moving employer based travel programs forward - audio file 30.3M MP3 audio | Published April 11, 2013
• RTO 2012 Travel and awareness quantitative benchmarking survey 751K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published March 26, 2013
• RTO Program Evaluation for January 1, 2009 - June 30, 2011 992K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• RTO Travel and Awareness Survey and Focus Group Research Summary, June 2011: full report with appendices 384K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published June 1, 2011
• RTO program evalutation for July 1, 2007-08: full report with appendices 775K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 2, 2010
• RTO program evaluation for July 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2006: full report with appendices 405K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 19, 2007
• RTO program evaluation for fiscal year 2004-05: full report with appendices 478K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 12, 2006
• Rideshare program market research and implementation plan study report 3.1M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published August 30, 2005
• Rideshare program market research and implementation plan study: appendix A - baseline research 2.6M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published August 30, 2005
• Rideshare program market research and implementation plan study: appendix B - market analysis 4.6M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published August 30, 2005
• Evaluation of Potential Measures for Achieving Modal Targets: Final Report 4.1M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 1, 2005
• Executive summary of Metro 2040 modal targets study 567K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 1, 2005
• Appendices of Metro 2040 modal targets study 2.3M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 1, 2005
• Travel behavior barriers and benefits reseach 327K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published December 16, 2004