Travel Studies
Westat uses a wide variety of methodologies to develop, implement, and analyze regionally and nationally
representative travel studies. We have researched and developed advanced CATI, geocoding, and other geospacial analysis and
field methods for national and regional travel surveys that target a range of groups, from general regional travelers to the
elderly and persons with disabilities.
- For DOT, Westat conducted the pretest and the main survey for the 2001 National Household Travel Survey
of 160,000 persons in 70,000 households to measure both daily and long-distance travel of all household
occupants. In support of the multistage CATI survey, our GIS group provided in-house
geocoding and geospacial data for household, workplace, and trip-end locations.
- Annually since 1998, Westat has conducted the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' longitudinal
household travel survey, measuring changes in the regional travel of more than 2,000 households each
year.
- Westat is working on improving public transit options for older persons. We are studying the demographic
characteristics and functional status of the elderly and recommending a range of options, including
paratransit, for use by public transit agencies.
- For the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Westat conducted the 2002 Transportation Availability and Use
Study of Persons with Disabilities, an RDD telephone survey of more than 2,000 households to gather information on
the travel patterns, challenges, and accommodations made by persons with disabilities. We applied advanced
sampling and screening techniques to obtain random and comparable samples of persons with and without disabilities.
- For the Standard Procedures for Household Travel Surveys, Westat is assisting Louisiana State University
under a contract with the National Academy of Sciences/Transportation Research Board. Westat is developing a set of
standardized best practices for planning and conducting household travel surveys that include sampling procedures,
sample design, questionnaire items, interview procedures, and case management techniques.
For more information about the Transportation Research Area,
please send us a message.
