ARC still accepting responses to 2019 Regional Commuter Survey

By David Pendered

Metro Atlanta commuters who received a postcard about a survey being conducted by the Atlanta Regional Commission still have time to respond and enter to win one of 50 Amazon gift cards valued at $250. The deadline is Sunday, March 31.

The deadline is Sunday, March 31 to respond to the ARC’s 2019 Regional Commuter Survey. Credit: ARC

The ARC mailed postcards regarding the 2019 Regional Commuter Survey to the homes of 150,000 commuters in the 20-county metro area. Recipients were selected at random, according to an ARC statement, which read in part:

• “Participation is an important step to help the ARC, Georgia DOT and other agencies make strategic investments that can help improve the quality of life for all metro Atlantans. We want to hear from metro Atlanta residents about their commute struggles, and this survey is how they can make their voice heard.”

Instructions are printed in both English and Spanish. Each postcard is printed with the internet address of the survey and two passwords – one password for each of two commuters in a household.

Results of the survey are to be used to determine the time of day commuters travel and their mode of preference – shared ride, bus, single occupant vehicle. Results also are to determine how familiar commuters are with the various commute options available in the region.

The ARC intends to release the full results of the survey late this summer, at some point in the third quarter of the year.

In addition, results that are specific to each of the region’s seven transportation management associations are to be provided to those associations. The notion is that each association can incorporate the results into their own efforts to provide commute options and other measures to ease the commute within their territories.

Traffic congestion is intense in areas including those near access points to Ga. 400. Credit: David Pendered

The seven TMAs in the region are:

• Perimeter Connects;
• Livable Buckhead;
• Clifton Corridor;
• Downtown Atlanta (Central Atlanta Progress);
• AERO – Airport Employee Ride Options;
• Midtown Alliance;
• ASAP (Atlantic Station).

Here’s a sampling of questions on commute travel patterns:

• “In a typical week, what type of transportation do you use on each of the weekdays (Monday-Friday) that you work?
• “How many miles is it one-way from your home to your usual work location? And how many minutes does it typically take to make this trip from home to work?
• “How long have you been using your current types or types of transportation to get to work?
• “Do any of the following public transportation operators offer service you could use for this trip?
• “Considering your work and personal schedules, how often might you be able to use a bus or train to get to work?
• “What reasons keep you from using a bus or train for your trip to work?
• “Would you say your trip to work is easier, more difficult, or about the same now as it was one year ago?”

Here is a sampling of question on travel issues and awareness of travel services:

Traffic in Midtown congests at spots including access points to the Downtown Connector. Credit: David Pendered

• “How strongly do you agree with the statement: ‘Traffic congestion is a serious problem in the Atlanta area.’ And how strongly do you agree with the statement: ‘Air quality is a serious problem in the Atlanta area.’
• “Next, consider the benefits of traveling by carpool, vanpool, bus, or train. What impact or benefit does a community or region receive when people use these types of transportation?
• “Do you recall seeing or hearing any advertising or news reports in the Atlanta region in the past year about transportation services  or information that could assist you with your travel to and from work?
• “Do you know of any programs, organizations, phone numbers, or websites in the Atlanta region that provide information or resources to help with travel to work?”