NHTS Study Participants, Important Information

Thank you for agreeing to participate in the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS). The Department of Transportation conducts the NHTS about every 5 years. This important study helps us at the Department of Transportation to understand your current and future travel needs so that we can develop good programs and policies. With your help, we can continue to work to improve safety, reduce travel delays, and make sure everyone has access to affordable transportation.

Thank you for your time and help on this important study!

Frequently Asked Questions about the NHTS

• How did you get my phone number? How did you get my unlisted number?
  Your number was randomly generated from all of the possible telephone numbers in your area. We do not use telephone directories to choose telephone numbers. (Your number is still unlisted.)

• I need more information about the study before I'll answer any questions.
  The study is being conducted by the Department of Transportation to gather information about the travel experiences and concerns of people in your area. The information you provide will help in the evaluation of existing transportation systems and the assessment of future needs.

• Who can I contact for more information about the study?
  You can call our study data collection center at 1-888-817-2810. Westat, a reputable social science research company, is conducting the study on behalf of the Department of Transportation. You can view their website at http://www.westat.com.

  You can also directly contact the NHTS Team at 202-366-5021 or Adella.Santos@dot.gov.

  To learn more about how the National Household Travel Survey data is reported and used, you can visit our website at: http://nhts.ornl.gov

• How do I know you will keep this information confidential?
  We are required by law not to reveal any information other than to persons directly involved with the study. Additionally, everyone working on this study is required to sign a statement of confidentiality regarding all information provided by you. Survey results are published only as statistical totals. No individual responses or information that would permit the identification of any individual will be released or published.

• Why do you want to talk to my teenager(s)? Why do you need me to record the travel for my children?
  In order to get an accurate picture of the amount of travel in your area, it's important that we collect travel information for all household members, including children aged 5 and older.

  If you prefer, we can collect your teens travel information from you; we do not need to talk directly to your teen.

• I had a bad experience recently with someone taking a survey, why should I participate?
  We are sorry that your experience was a bad one. However, because this is an important research effort, and we have taken every measure to ensure our interviewers follow study rules and we have trained them to make your contact with us a pleasant one. By participating in the study, you will help us to learn more about travel patterns and concerns. This is your chance to be heard.

• Why do you want to know my address?
  We ask for your address so we can mail you materials that will help you track your travel. We will also be including a small cash incentive as a token of our appreciation for your participation.

• Why do you need to know how many people are in this household?
  You are part of a scientifically selected group of people who represent many more households. In order for us to collect scientifically valid data, it's important for us to know the number of people living in each household.

• Why did you choose me? Why interview me?
  You were randomly selected for this study. Your thoughts and opinions represent those of many other people in situations similar to yours. It's important that you help us with this survey because we can't replace you or your telephone number with that of someone else.

• What if I don't drive or don't travel?
  That's ok. We are interested in all types of travel experiences from people that don't travel much or at all to people that use public transportation or travel a lot. You represent a lot of other people in situations similar to yours. Your responses are very important to the success of this study.

• Do I have to do this? Do I have to answer your questions?
  It is not mandatory that you answer our questions, but your input and opinions are very important to the success of this study. You represent a lot of other people in situations similar to yours, and you are actually speaking for them as well as yourself.

• Why do you ask questions that seem to have nothing to do with travel?
  Additional information is needed to better understand how, when, where and who travels. For example, we are interested in the difference of travel behavior in men and women, different ages, races and socioeconomic status. Income questions help us understand how finances affect travel behavior while questions jobs and workplaces help us understand work related travel. Travel to work generates a large part of all the daily travel in this country. Understanding things like when, how often and how far people travel to work plays a big role in understanding national transportation problems.