TRIS Turns 40: Results of a 2007 User Satisfaction Survey on the Transportation Research Information Service

Abstract

The purpose of this Transportation Research Circular is to document the results of an online survey of users of the Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) database, conducted in November 2007. To help readers fully understand the results of the survey, this circular provides background details and information on the history and evolution of TRIS, and includes information on several different versions of TRIS, as well as discussing TRIS usage patterns and enhancements over a 40-year period. When combined with the 2007 survey results, this background information provides the necessary context to understand the impetus for the creation of TRIS, how it evolved over time, and ways it could change in the future. The authors reflect on overall TRIS user satisfaction levels, changes in user demographics, and modern database user expectations. Finally, the authors discuss several opportunities for enhancing TRIS.