THE TRANSPORTATION ANALYST AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

THE USER OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND THE AFFECTED CITIZENS ARE VIEWED AS KEY ELEMENTS IN SYSTEM DESIGN, EVALUATION, AND FINAL OPERATION IN THE PRESENTED PHILOSOPHY OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS. THREE TRANSPORTATION SURVEYS ARE PRESENTED WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR THE DESIGN OF NEW OR IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. THEY OFFER ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE PLANNER AND DESIGN ENGINEER: (1) WHAT ARE THE TRANSPORTATION MODE CHOICES OF DEFINED POPULATIONS FOR SPECIFIC TRIP PURPOSES AND DESTINATIONS? (2) WHAT FACTORS DETERMINE THESE MODE CHOICES AND HOW ARE THEY EVALUATED BY THE INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLER? (3) WHAT DO TRAVELLERS WANT IN A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM TO MORE FULLY MEET THEIR CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED TRAVEL NEEDS? THIS INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY COMMUNICATING WITH THE CITIZEN POPULATIONS OF INTEREST BY TELEPHONE, MAIL, OR INTERVIEW. FASTER REPRESENTATIVE SURVEY TECHNIQUES ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE VALID FEEDBACK TO TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING PROCESSES. PLANNING. /AUTHOR/