Research Study on the Future of Transportation
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Welcome to the TOMNET Transportation Survey. We hope you have received a copy of the survey, either through postal mail or via email message with a link to take the survey. Your response is very important and we hope you will take the time to complete the survey and offer information we seek about your attitudes and opinions on new modes of transportation. This is a legitimate university research study that is being conducted to gather information critically needed to help design and plan future transportation options. The smooth, efficient, and affordable movement of people, goods, and services is important for the economy and quality of life of our communities. The data gathered through this survey will help in the creation of a future transportation system that increases quality of life for everybody. Your response to this survey is vitally important; we are attempting to get a sample that is statistically valid and representative of the overall population. Even though the survey is long (it takes about 30-45 minutes to complete), we think you will find it interesting and fun to do.
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Your privacy is guaranteed. Your identity or individual answers to the survey will not be disclosed in any way, shape, or form. Your responses will be combined with those of other respondents to create a statistical summary that can be used for transportation planning purposes. The survey has been approved by independent Institutional Review Boards (IRB) for the conduct of research and protection of human subjects.
Please submit your completed survey by October 30, 2018 to ensure inclusion in the study findings. If, however, you are not able to provide your response by that date, please do so as soon as possible. We are happy to receive your completed survey even after this date, and will include your information in the research as soon as we are able to do so.
The world of transportation is experiencing dramatic change. There are many new mobility options including ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, bike and scooter sharing systems such as Bird and Lime, and delivery services such as UberEats, Grubhub and DoorDash. Autonomous and self-driving vehicles are under development and will be available in the near future. How do we plan for an uncertain future that is likely to be so different from conditions and mobility options available today? We can plan for the future and make sure that our transportation system serves the mobility needs of all in a safe, efficient, and economical manner by collecting data about people's attitudes, choices, opinions, and preferences.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Who is sponsoring the research study?
The research is sponsored by the US Department of Transportation, Office of Research & Technology, through its University Transportation Centers (UTC) program. This program of the US Department of Transportation provides funding to universities across the United States to conduct research and development activities, engage in technology transfer activities (move technologies from research to the marketplace), and train the next generation of transportation professionals for an industry that is experiencing rapid change. TOMNET is one such University Transportation Center.
Who is conducting this research study?
This research study is being conducted by TOMNET, a University Transportation Center led by Arizona State University (ASU) in collaboration with D-STOP, another University Transportation Center led by The University of Texas at Austin. The TOMNET UTC consortium includes Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), University of Washington, and University of South Florida as partners. Through a collaborative effort, this research study and survey is being conducted simultaneously by multiple universities involved in these two University Transportation Centers.
Where is the survey being conducted?
The survey is being conducted in all cities or metropolitan areas where the partner universities are located. This specific survey, which aims to obtain information about attitudes and opinions on new transportation technologies and services, is being conducted in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area (ASU), Greater Atlanta Metropolitan Region (Georgia Tech), Tampa Bay Area (University of South Florida), and Greater Austin Metropolitan Area (University of Texas at Austin). A slightly different survey, that is focused on how communities rely on and use transportation services in the event of natural disasters, is being conducted by the University of Washington in the Greater Seattle Metropolitan Area.
How many surveys are being conducted?
We are targeting 2,000 complete valid responses in each metropolitan area. In order to obtain 2,000 complete and valid responses in each metropolitan area, we have to send the survey by mail and e-mail to a much larger number of households or individuals. If we are able to get a good response rate, then we should be able to easily exceed our response target and have a much richer sample to conduct analysis. Therefore, we sincerely ask your cooperation and hope that you will take the time to respond to the survey. Every response counts and makes a difference in the validity of the results.
How did you get my contact information?
There are a number of companies that compile postal and e-mail address lists with complete contact information. These lists are generally compiled by combining information from a variety of sources including residential address listings, city and county records, and other databases. For this particular study, we purchased postal and e-mail address databases from the Infogroup, a highly trusted name in the industry that is utilized by many organizations for research and marketing campaigns. We provided Infogroup a list of zip codes for which we desired addresses, and Infogroup simply returned a random sample of addresses from within those zip codes. We did not have any say in the selection of households for inclusion in the study(beyond identifying zip codes). Once again, please be assured that your address and any other contact information, or personally identifiable information, is completely protected, will not be shared or disclosed, and will not be revealed in any subsequent publications, reports, or presentations.
If I did not receive an invitation, but would like to participate in the study, how can I do so?
You are most welcome to participate in the study and provide a complete survey response. If you would like to receive an invitation to participate in the study, please send a message to our Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu. She can be reached by phone at 480-727-3613. Please note that access codes are unique and cannot be transferred or re-used. Every survey participant has to get a unique access code to participate in the survey. Therefore, please contact the study coordinator to get an invitation with a unique access code.
Can I transfer or forward the survey invitation to another individual?
You may transfer or forward the invitation to another individual, as long as the individual is a member of your household. Only one response can be submitted per access code. Hence, if you have responded or intend to respond to the survey, then the invitation cannot be transferred or forwarded to another household member. However, if you do not intend to respond and there is another household member willing to respond to the survey, then you may feel free to forward the survey to that household member. Please do not forward the invitation to another household or to any individual who would not be considered a member of your household. If you know somebody who might be willing and interested to participate in the study, please have that individual contact the Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or call her at 480-727-3613.
What happens if I am not interested or willing to participate?
This is an important research study and we sincerely hope that you will participate in the study by completing the survey. However, if you are not interested, willing, or available to participate in the study, we certainly understand. There are absolutely no consequences for not participating in the study.
How can I share feedback or comments about the survey or study?
You are most welcome to provide feedback or comments about the survey and the research study on the future of transportation. Everybody is passionate about transportation and has opinions about how the transportation system can be made better. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by contacting the Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or by phone at 480-72-3613. In addition, there is space at the end of the survey to provide comments and feedback. It would be best if you can enter comments and ideas at the end of the survey.
How can I access study results and findings?
Just come back to this website in about six months, and we expect to have study results and findings published here. Again, please note that only summary statistical tabulations and charts will be prepared and shared with the community. Datasets and individual responses will not be shared under any circumstances.
Why haven't I received a gift card after providing a completed survey response?
If you have provided a complete survey response and not received a gift card within 30 days of submitting your response, it is likely that we had already received 100 complete and valid responses to the survey before we received your response. If, however, you would like to check the status of the gift card, please contact the Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or by phone at 480-727-3613.
Who can I contact for more information about this study or transportation research in general?
If you would like additional information about this study, it would be best to contact the study coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or by phone at 480-727-3613.
If you would like additional information about transportation research studies and the work being undertaken by the TOMNET University Transportation Center, please contact the following:
Sara Khoeini, TOMNET Assistant Director, sara.khoeini@asu.edu, 480-965-5047
Ram Pendyala, TOMNET Director, ram.pendyala@asu.edu, 480-727-4587
THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Your submission of the completed survey (whether online or by mail) implies that you agree to participate in this study and are 18 years or older. This research is funded by the US Department of Transportation and conducted by Arizona State University. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board for the protection of study participants. If you have any questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you may contact the Institutional Review Board, through the ASU Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, at (480) 965 6788.
Thank you for your participation. With your help, we will build a better transportation future for all.
Please submit your completed survey by October 30, 2018 to ensure inclusion in the study findings. If, however, you are not able to provide your response by that date, please do so as soon as possible. We are happy to receive your completed survey even after this date, and will include your information in the research as soon as we are able to do so.
The world of transportation is experiencing dramatic change. There are many new mobility options including ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, bike and scooter sharing systems such as Bird and Lime, and delivery services such as UberEats, Grubhub and DoorDash. Autonomous and self-driving vehicles are under development and will be available in the near future. How do we plan for an uncertain future that is likely to be so different from conditions and mobility options available today? We can plan for the future and make sure that our transportation system serves the mobility needs of all in a safe, efficient, and economical manner by collecting data about people's attitudes, choices, opinions, and preferences.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Who is sponsoring the research study?
The research is sponsored by the US Department of Transportation, Office of Research & Technology, through its University Transportation Centers (UTC) program. This program of the US Department of Transportation provides funding to universities across the United States to conduct research and development activities, engage in technology transfer activities (move technologies from research to the marketplace), and train the next generation of transportation professionals for an industry that is experiencing rapid change. TOMNET is one such University Transportation Center.
Who is conducting this research study?
This research study is being conducted by TOMNET, a University Transportation Center led by Arizona State University (ASU) in collaboration with D-STOP, another University Transportation Center led by The University of Texas at Austin. The TOMNET UTC consortium includes Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), University of Washington, and University of South Florida as partners. Through a collaborative effort, this research study and survey is being conducted simultaneously by multiple universities involved in these two University Transportation Centers.
Where is the survey being conducted?
The survey is being conducted in all cities or metropolitan areas where the partner universities are located. This specific survey, which aims to obtain information about attitudes and opinions on new transportation technologies and services, is being conducted in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area (ASU), Greater Atlanta Metropolitan Region (Georgia Tech), Tampa Bay Area (University of South Florida), and Greater Austin Metropolitan Area (University of Texas at Austin). A slightly different survey, that is focused on how communities rely on and use transportation services in the event of natural disasters, is being conducted by the University of Washington in the Greater Seattle Metropolitan Area.
How many surveys are being conducted?
We are targeting 2,000 complete valid responses in each metropolitan area. In order to obtain 2,000 complete and valid responses in each metropolitan area, we have to send the survey by mail and e-mail to a much larger number of households or individuals. If we are able to get a good response rate, then we should be able to easily exceed our response target and have a much richer sample to conduct analysis. Therefore, we sincerely ask your cooperation and hope that you will take the time to respond to the survey. Every response counts and makes a difference in the validity of the results.
How did you get my contact information?
There are a number of companies that compile postal and e-mail address lists with complete contact information. These lists are generally compiled by combining information from a variety of sources including residential address listings, city and county records, and other databases. For this particular study, we purchased postal and e-mail address databases from the Infogroup, a highly trusted name in the industry that is utilized by many organizations for research and marketing campaigns. We provided Infogroup a list of zip codes for which we desired addresses, and Infogroup simply returned a random sample of addresses from within those zip codes. We did not have any say in the selection of households for inclusion in the study(beyond identifying zip codes). Once again, please be assured that your address and any other contact information, or personally identifiable information, is completely protected, will not be shared or disclosed, and will not be revealed in any subsequent publications, reports, or presentations.
If I did not receive an invitation, but would like to participate in the study, how can I do so?
You are most welcome to participate in the study and provide a complete survey response. If you would like to receive an invitation to participate in the study, please send a message to our Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu. She can be reached by phone at 480-727-3613. Please note that access codes are unique and cannot be transferred or re-used. Every survey participant has to get a unique access code to participate in the survey. Therefore, please contact the study coordinator to get an invitation with a unique access code.
Can I transfer or forward the survey invitation to another individual?
You may transfer or forward the invitation to another individual, as long as the individual is a member of your household. Only one response can be submitted per access code. Hence, if you have responded or intend to respond to the survey, then the invitation cannot be transferred or forwarded to another household member. However, if you do not intend to respond and there is another household member willing to respond to the survey, then you may feel free to forward the survey to that household member. Please do not forward the invitation to another household or to any individual who would not be considered a member of your household. If you know somebody who might be willing and interested to participate in the study, please have that individual contact the Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or call her at 480-727-3613.
What happens if I am not interested or willing to participate?
This is an important research study and we sincerely hope that you will participate in the study by completing the survey. However, if you are not interested, willing, or available to participate in the study, we certainly understand. There are absolutely no consequences for not participating in the study.
How can I share feedback or comments about the survey or study?
You are most welcome to provide feedback or comments about the survey and the research study on the future of transportation. Everybody is passionate about transportation and has opinions about how the transportation system can be made better. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by contacting the Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or by phone at 480-72-3613. In addition, there is space at the end of the survey to provide comments and feedback. It would be best if you can enter comments and ideas at the end of the survey.
How can I access study results and findings?
Just come back to this website in about six months, and we expect to have study results and findings published here. Again, please note that only summary statistical tabulations and charts will be prepared and shared with the community. Datasets and individual responses will not be shared under any circumstances.
Why haven't I received a gift card after providing a completed survey response?
If you have provided a complete survey response and not received a gift card within 30 days of submitting your response, it is likely that we had already received 100 complete and valid responses to the survey before we received your response. If, however, you would like to check the status of the gift card, please contact the Study Coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or by phone at 480-727-3613.
Who can I contact for more information about this study or transportation research in general?
If you would like additional information about this study, it would be best to contact the study coordinator, Denise Silva, at denise.silva@asu.edu, or by phone at 480-727-3613.
If you would like additional information about transportation research studies and the work being undertaken by the TOMNET University Transportation Center, please contact the following:
Sara Khoeini, TOMNET Assistant Director, sara.khoeini@asu.edu, 480-965-5047
Ram Pendyala, TOMNET Director, ram.pendyala@asu.edu, 480-727-4587
THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Your submission of the completed survey (whether online or by mail) implies that you agree to participate in this study and are 18 years or older. This research is funded by the US Department of Transportation and conducted by Arizona State University. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board for the protection of study participants. If you have any questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you may contact the Institutional Review Board, through the ASU Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, at (480) 965 6788.
Thank you for your participation. With your help, we will build a better transportation future for all.