Book Description
Commonly, transit researchers use random digit dial (RDD) telephone methodology to study origin-destination, customer satisfaction, mode choice and for planning purposes. This approach has come under-fire in recent years with concerns about a growing cell-phone only population. Estimates of a cell-phone only population sit at seven to nine percent, likely to grow larger in the coming years (Keeter, 2006). Survey researchers and the like want to offset RDD methodology’s decline with fresh sophisticated techniques. As Internet penetration increases and technological savvy improves among the US population, researchers from all disciplines have turned their attention to Web-based survey techniques. Web-based techniques put less strain on resources, afford the researcher more rigorous control of data collection, and can reach larger audiences with very little effort. As advantageous as Web-based surveying is, limited regulatory aspects of the Internet compromise the sampling and statistical rigor researchers seek. This presentation has four objectives: discuss the advantages/disadvantages of Web-based survey techniques; provide options transportation researchers have when moving toward a Web-based approach to data collection; presents two study areas the CTA has utilized Web-based techniques; and makes suggestions for broader transit application.
