American Travel Survey 3.7

The American Travel Survey app aims to streamline the administration of household travel surveys for public agencies. Participation in each survey is strictly by invitation, with participants selected from randomly chosen households that have consented to partake. The app is authored by ETC Institute, which also serves as the consulting entity conducting the travel survey. Ultimately, the data ownership resides with a local, regional, or statewide public agency, such as a Department of Transportation, whose identity is disclosed within the app and communicated in advance to each participating household.

Household members aged 18 and older (or 13 and older with adult consent) are encouraged to download and install the app, where they log in using a unique PIN representing their household. Participants then select their preferred nickname or name from a list of household members to accurately attribute trips. Prior to app installation, household members provide contact information through an online or telephone survey, enabling ETC Institute staff to reach out for any necessary clarifications or updates to the user’s trip diary during or following the data collection period.

Once logged in, the app automatically detects and records stops made by the user over a specified timeframe, usually spanning 24 hours. Users are prompted to review these stops and respond to several questions regarding each one before submitting their completed trip diary directly from the app.

Users acknowledge that while the app operates on their smartphone or tablet, their GPS location is utilized to identify and log stops, aiding in the visualization of their vehicle's travel path for enhanced stop review. Additionally, with user consent, the app accesses device accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, integrating this data within its logic engine to verify that a stop has indeed occurred. ETC Institute maintains a strong commitment to safeguarding participant privacy; details of our data privacy policy are readily available for review on our company’s website and can be accessed through a link provided in the app.