Computerized Household Activity-Scheduling Survey for Toronto, Canada, Area: Design and Assessment

Abstract

Traditional activity-travel diary surveys have for some time served as the primary source of data for understanding and modeling travel behavior. Recent changes in policy and forecasting needs have led to the development of an emerging class of activity-scheduling process surveys that focus on the underlying behavioral mechanisms that give rise to travel and condition future change. Many of these surveys involve the use of computers for data entry over multiday periods. These changes pose new challenges and opportunities for quality assessment. At this early stage it is more important than ever to document closely the quantity and quality of data provided by such surveys as well as the associated burden and experience of respondents. This study reviews existing quality standards and seeks to develop several new data-quality measures suitable to this emerging class of surveys. Data are used from a recent household activity-scheduling survey of 271 households in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A detailed description of the survey instrument is provided, along with an in-depth examination of key results that shed light on data quality. Included are results from a separate survey of 31 respondents concerning their experiences and perceptions of the survey. Overall, although the survey was generally successful in tracking both observed patterns and underlying decision processes over a multiday period within a household, it did come at a price in terms of respondent burden. On the basis of these results several new data-quality guidelines are suggested that incorporate use of activity-trip rates, scheduling-step rates, planning-time horizons, and log-in durations. Further specific suggestions for reducing respondent burden are suggested.