Effectiveness of Disseminating Traveler Information on Travel Time Reliability: Implement Plan and Survey Results Report
APPENDIX M. NORTH HOUSTON EXIT SURVEY QUESTIONS
Slide 1
TTR Study: Exit Questionnaire
North Houston – Round3
October 2015
Slide 2
Exit survey design goals/ considerations for reviewers
The primary purposes of the Exit Survey (following Phase 2 of the trip diaries when participants were provided with TTR information) is to collect information about if and how respondents used the TTR information they were provided and how they perceived that information. This includes information about:
- How often participants used the TTR information for different kinds of trips
- What kind of impacts the TTR information had on behavior (if any) (e.g., changes in departure time, route, mode choice)
- How satisfied participants were with various aspects of the information (e.g., clarity, ease of access, trustworthiness, overall usefulness)
- What kind of impacts the TTR had on trip experience (if any) (e.g., reduced stress, congestion avoidance, shorter trip, overall trip satisfaction)
- Perceptions of what might make the information more useful for different kinds of trips or in an unfamiliar city (or what might make participants likely to use the information in the future)
When relevant, questions in the exit survey are designed to match similar questions from the baseline survey as closely as possible.
This is intended to allow for "before" and "after" comparisons, or more specifically comparisons of how respondents typically used and perceived "other" types of information before the study versus how they typically used and perceived the TTR information during the second phase of the study. Questions from the baseline that are similar to questions in this exit survey include:
- infosource familiar/unfamiliar (baseline, slides 40-41) == ttruse_freq familiar/ unfamiliar (exit, slide 5)
- change familiar/unfamiliar (baseline, slides 48-49) == ttr_change familiar/unfamiliar (exit, slides 18-19)
- infosat (baseline, slide 50) == ttr_infosat (exit, slide 22)
- infoopinion (baseline, slide 51) == ttr_infoopinion (exit, slides 23-24)
- ynoinfo (baseline, slide 52) == ttr_ynoinfo (exit, slide 26)
Other exit survey questions focus specifically on aspects and opinions of the TTR info and do not have comparable baseline questions.
Slide 3
Exit survey overview: flow chart
Slide 4
Exit questionnaire formatting overview
This document is designed to show question wording, answer choices, and survey flow logic.
A few tips and notes to keep in mind while reviewing this document:
- Each slide represents one page in the survey. Typically there is one question per page, though in some cases a few simple questions may be asked of respondents on a single page.
- In the comments section below each slide, each question or page name is shown between [ ] square brackets (e.g., [intro]) – use these page names to help provide feedback for the survey
- The comments section below each slide may also show additional notes or shorter lists of answer options
- Slides with a gray background (such as this one) include notes, instructions for programming the survey, or longer lists of answer choices, but are not shown to survey respondents. We try to "over provide" this information for reviewer convenience.
- Text written in (start red text) red (end red text) indicates survey logic (e.g., who should see which questions) and other notes for the programmers, and are not shown to survey respondents
- Hyperlinks for pop-up descriptions, survey information pages, etc. are only active during the conduct of the study
- Text between ‹ › angle brackets indicate information displayed dynamically for each respondent (e.g., a person's typical trip purpose)
- Exact layout and formatting are not displayed. Layout is approximate (for example, showing different question types and order of multiple questions on one page). However, it is not possible to display exact formatting in this document (for example, on some slides text is smaller in order to show all the questions and survey logic on one page)
Notable Differences from Round 1
- All corridor references changed from West Houston to North Houston
- All freeway-related questions changed from Katy Freeway to North Freeway
- All toll road-related questions changed from Westpark Tollway to Hardy Toll Road
- The incentive offered changed; all relevant survey text and instructions were updated
Slide 5
Password Entry Page
Slide 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Study Overview
- What is the purpose of this study?
The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of Houston area drivers who regularly use the North Freeway, Hardy Toll Road, and other roads north of the city. We want to understand your experiences with busy travel conditions, including whether you use information to plan your trips and the decisions you make about how best to handle traffic congestion in the North Houston Study Corridor. - What is the North Houston Study Corridor?
The North Houston Study Corridor includes about 35 miles of the North Freeway (IH-45N), the Hardy Toll Road, and other roads between Conroe and downtown Houston - How do I participate in this study?
This study involves four steps:
STEP 1: Complete an initial survey about your typical experiences in the North Houston Study Corridor. This survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. To start this survey, simply visit the secure survey website: https://surveyrsg.com/northhoustonTo qualify for this study, participants must be regular drivers in the study corridor, age 18 or older, and must own and use an iPhone or an Android phone in order to install the mobile application and complete Steps 2 and 3.
STEP 2: Install the study's mobile app on your smartphone to log your trips and complete daily mini-surveys about your travel in the corridor. After completing the initial survey, instructions on how to download and install this mobile app will be emailed to you. This part of the study will last 1-2 weeks and will involve less than 5 minutes of time per day.
STEP 3: Continue using the mobile app and completing mini-surveys with access to customized trip planning resources. After the second part of the study is over, you will be given access to information about travel times on your routes in the corridor. Otherwise this part of the study is similar to Step 2, including using the mobile app to log your trips and completing daily mini-surveys for 1-2 weeks.
STEP 4: Complete an exit survey about your experiences. After completing Steps 2 and 3, you will receive an email with a link to take the exit survey. This survey will take about 15 minutes to complete.
- What will I get for participating?
After completing all parts of the study including the exit survey, qualified participants will receive $100 in cash!
Slide 7
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- Why should I participate?
As one of a small number of travelers in the Houston area invited to participate, your response represents the views of many other travelers. We can better understand how to improve your travel experiences by understanding how travelers like you use the transportation system. - How are my privacy and personal information protected?
All of your responses during this study are strictly confidential and will only be analyzed with responses from all other study participants. Your contact information and other identifying information will not be linked to your responses in any analysis or reports and will be destroyed at the conclusion of the study. All information is stored in a secure database that will only be accessed by the study administrators.
When you use the mobile application to log your trips, GPS data about where and when your vehicle travels will be captured automatically. However, to protect the privacy of your home, work, and other destinations, the first and last 30 seconds of each trip will be deleted.
For more information about how we protect our privacy, please view our privacy policy or contact us. - What if I change my mind about participating?
This study is completely voluntary, and you may choose to stop participating at any time. If you decide not to participate or to stop participating, there will be no effect on your relationship with the study sponsors and partners or the study administrators. - Who do I contact if I have questions or need help during the study?
For help on how to complete the surveys or for general questions or feedback about the study, email houstonstudy@tti.tamu.edu.
If you have questions or concerns about the study, you may also contact the Principal Investigator, Beverly Kuhn, at (979) 862-3558 or b-kuhn@tamu.edu.
For questions about your rights as a participant or concerns about the research, you may contact the Texas A&M University Human Subjects Protection Program at (979) 458-4067 or irb@tamu.edu. - Who is sponsoring this study?
This study is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Battelle Memorial Institute, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), and RSG are conducting the study on behalf of the US DOT and TxDOT.
Slide 8
Resource Systems Group, Inc. Privacy Statement
SUMMARY
© Resource Systems Group, Inc. 2015 is conducting this study for the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) in collaboration with Battelle Memorial Institute and Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).
Resource Systems Group (RSG) will never sell, trade or otherwise share any personal information collected in its surveys with any third party.
RSG will never spam you, advertise to you or otherwise contact you outside of this survey without your explicit and direct permission.
Any and all information collected during this survey will only be presented to RSG's clients as part of an aggregate sample. At no time will individual responses be connected to survey takers' personal information.
During the study, we need your name and contact information in order to reach you, but at the conclusion of the study, this information will be destroyed. Your survey responses will never be sold or shared.
PRIVACY STATEMENT IN DEPTH
We are committed to your privacy and we take it very seriously. This statement is intended to provide you with information and understanding about how Resource Systems Group (RSG) collects and safeguards personal information that is used as part of the firm's market research studies.
ABOUT RSG'S MARKET RESEARCH WORK
RSG conducts market research on behalf of both public and private sector clients using Internet, stand-alone computer, and other data collection means. Ultimately, this research allows our clients to provide you with better products and services that you use on a daily basis. These products and services range from large infrastructure, like rail service and highways, to consumer products, like magazines and cell phones.
THE INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND WHAT WE DO WITH IT
Through independently commissioned surveys, RSG may collect information such as your email address, home or work location, and a variety of demographic information (e.g., gender, age, household income) that will allow us to qualify you for a current survey, tailor survey questions, or ensure we have collected a sample that provides representation across a variety of characteristics. Once you are qualified to participate in a survey, you may be asked to provide additional demographic data, express opinions, and register preferences. The information gathered is aggregated, analyzed, and summarized on behalf of RSG's clients. This information is always presented to clients in summary fashion and never contains any personally identifiable information. Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary, and you therefore have a choice whether or not to disclose this information requested.
Slide 9
INFORMATION COLLECTED TO MAKE YOUR SURVEY EXPERIENCE MORE PLEASANT
During the course of our surveys, we may passively collect information about your Internet browser and computer settings that makes your survey experience more pleasant. In addition to making your survey experience better, we use this information, which does not identify individual users, to analyze trends, to administer the site, and to track users' movements around the site.
CHANGING OR DELETING PERSONAL INFORMATION
If your personal information changes, if you no longer desire to participate in this study, or if you have inquiries or complaints, please contact us via email at houstonstudy@tti.tamu.edu.
SECURITY
We follow generally accepted industry standards to protect the personal information submitted to us, both during transmission and once we receive it. No method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure, however. Therefore, while we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
CHANGES IN THIS PRIVACY STATEMENT
RSG reserves the right to change its privacy policy. These changes will be posted clearly on the firm's websites and other places we deem appropriate so that you are aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
We reserve the right to disclose your personally identifiable information as required by law, and when we believe that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights and/or to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process served on our website.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:
Resource Systems Group, Inc.
41 North Rio Grande St, Suite 106
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Email: houstonstudy@tti.tamu.edu
Slide 10
Thank you for your recent participation in the smartphone app portion of the North Houston Transportation Study.
This final survey is the last step to complete the study. The purpose of this survey is to help us understand how your travel experiences may have changed when you were provided with the customized Transportation Study Resource during the last two weeks of the study.
As one of a small number of Houston travelers completing this study, your input in this final survey is important. Your feedback will help the study sponsors and other agencies provide better transportation information and services in the region. Also, once you complete this final survey, you will receive $100 cash!
Your privacy will be protected. Please click here to view the privacy policy, or refer to the links at the bottom of the page for more information. You may also email houstonstudy@tti.tamu.edu with any questions or concerns. Thank you again for your continued participation!
Please click "Next" to continue.
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Slide 11
Definition and description of traveler information resources in this study
Throughout this study we have asked you about several different types of traveler information. In this final survey, we are specifically asking about two different types of information:
- Transportation Study Resource: The customized trip-planning information you were provided in the last two weeks of the study. This resource provided average historical travel time information for the study corridor.
- Other traveler information resources: Any other type of information you may have used before or during the study, including:
- Other types of trip-planning resources, such as directions or travel times from Google Maps
- Real-time travel information, such as radio reports of current congestion or traffic app notifications of collisions or other potential roadway hazards
Please click "Next" to continue.
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Slide 12
Tips for completing this survey
- To proceed through the survey and ensure that your responses are saved, please click the "Previous" and "Next" buttons at the bottom of the page. Do not use your browser's "back" and "forward" buttons as this may take you out of the survey without saving your answers.
- If you need to pause and come back later in the middle of the survey, your responses will be saved automatically and you will be able to continue from where you stopped.
- This survey may be completed on a mobile device (a smartphone or tablet computer) as well as a laptop or desktop computer.
- A few key terms and concepts are used throughout this survey (different types of information and familiar or unfamiliar trips). You can click on the links throughout the survey to see a reminder of their definitions.
Now, let's get started!
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Slide 13
During the last two weeks of this study, how often did you check the Transportation Study Resource for traveler information when planning familiar or unfamiliar trips on the North Freeway or Hardy Toll Road?
| More than once/ day | Once/ day | A few days/ week | About one day per week | Never | |
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| Familiar trips |  |
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| Unfamiliar trips | |
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(start red text) Show pop-up definition of Transportation Study Resource (see infodefinition page)
Show pop-ups for Familiar and Unfamiliar trip definitions/ examples – same as in baseline (see next page) (end red text)
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Slide 14
(start red text) Pop-up definitions for "familiar" and "unfamiliar" trips (same as baseline) (end red text)
(start red text) Familiar: (end red text)
For example, trips to familiar locations might include grocery shopping, regular errands (e.g. to the bank or the dentist), taking your kids to school, going to a friend's house, going to the gym, or any other personal destinations you regularly visit or feel comfortable finding without directions.
(start red text) Unfamiliar:(end red text)
For example, trips to unfamiliar locations might include new or infrequent errands (e.g. to the airport or to a new doctor), trips to a new restaurant, infrequent trips to a recreational destination (e.g. a concert hall), or other destinations you rarely visit or need directions or navigation assistance to find.Slide 15
During the last two weeks of this study, how often did you check other traveler information resources when planning familiar or unfamiliar trips on the North Freeway or Hardy Toll Road?
| More than once/ day | Once/ day | A few days/ week | About one day per week | Never | |
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| Familiar trips | |
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(start red text) Show pop-up definition of other types of information (see infodefinition page)
Show pop-ups for Familiar and Unfamiliar trip definitions/ examples – same as in baseline (end red text)
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Slide 16
(start red text) If used TTR study resource at all for familiar trips (end red text)
Based on what you learned from the Transportation Study Resource, how often did you change your travel plans for familiar trips on the North Freeway or Hardy Toll Road during the last two weeks of this study?
| Frequently (almost every day) | Sometimes (a few times/ week) | Rarely (once/ week or less) | Did this, but based on other info | Never did this | Not applicable | |
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| Started my trip earlier | |
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| Started my trip later | |
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| Made minor changes to my route | |
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| Changed to a toll road | |
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| Completely changed my planned route | |
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| Changed to public transit | |
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| Canceled trip or postponed to a later day | |
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| Decided to telecommute | |
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(start red text) Show pop-up definition of other types of information (see infodefinition page)
Show pop-up for Familiar trip definitions/ examples – same as in baseline (end red text)
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Slide 17
(start red text) If used TTR study resource at all for unfamiliar trips (end red text)
Based on what you learned from the Transportation Study Resource, how often did you change your travel plans for unfamiliar trips on the North Freeway or Hardy Toll Road during the last two weeks of this study?
| Frequently (almost every day) | Sometimes (a few times/ week) | Rarely (once/ week or less) | Did this, but based on other info | Never did this | Not applicable | |
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| Started my trip earlier | |
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(start red text) Show pop-up definition of other types of information (see infodefinition page)
Show pop-up for Unfamiliar trip definitions/ examples – same as in baseline (end red text)
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Slide 18
(start red text) If (ttr_infofreq_familiar › never OR ttr_infofreq_unfamiliar › never)
AND (othinfo_freq_familiar › never OR othinfo_freq_unfamiliar › never) (end red text)
Please continue thinking about the last two weeks that you participated in the study.
Compared to information from the other traveler information resources, how much impact did information from Transportation Study Resource have on your travel plans?
Travel information from the Transportation Study Resource had:
- A lot more impact than other information
- Slightly more impact than other information
- About the same impact as other information
- Slightly less impact than other information
- A lot less impact than other information
(start red text) Show pop-up definitions of Transportation Study Resource and Other resources (see infodefinition page) (end red text)
Slide 19
(start red text) If uses TTR more than never for either unfamiliar or familiar trips (end red text)
For the information you received from the Transportation Study Resource, how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Somewhat Disagree | Neutral | Somewhat Agree | Agree | Strongly Agree | Not Applicable | |
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| The Transportation Study Resource was easy to understand | |
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| Information from the Transportation Study Resource was reliable | |
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| The information from the Transportation Study Resource did NOT reduce the amount of travel time I plan for my trips | |
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| Overall, the information I received from the Transportation Study Resource was useful | |
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Slide 20
(start red text) If uses TTR more than never for either unfamiliar or familiar trips (end red text)
For the information you received from the Transportation Study Resource, how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Somewhat Disagree | Neutral | Somewhat Agree | Agree | Strongly Agree | Not Applicable | |
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| In general, information from the Transportation Study Resource helped me reduce my travel time | |
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| In general, information from the Transportation Study Resource helped me avoid congestion | |
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| Information from the Transportation Study Resource reduced the stress of my trip | |
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| Information from the Transportation Study Resource helped me plan my trips | |
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Slide 21
(start red text) If (ttr_infofreq_familiar › never OR ttr_infofreq_unfamiliar › never)
AND (othinfo_freq_familiar › never OR othinfo_freq_unfamiliar › never) (end red text)
Compared to information from the other traveler information resources, how useful was the information from the Transportation Study Resource for you?
Travel information from the Transportation Study Resource was:
- A lot more useful than other information
- Slightly more useful than other information
- About as equally useful as other information
- Slightly less useful than other information
- A lot less useful than other information
(start red text) Show pop-up definitions of Transportation Study Resource and Other resources (see infodefinition page) (end red text)
Slide 22
(start red text) If uses TTR more than never for either unfamiliar or familiar trips (end red text)
In general, how satisfied were you with the information you received from the Transportation Study Resource?
| Very Dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Somewhat Dissatisfied | Neutral | Somewhat Satisfied | Satisfied | Very Satisfied | Not Applicable | |
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| Estimated/ approximate travel time | |
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| Extra time/ recommended cushion | |
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| Recommended/ suggested departure time | |
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| Total travel time estimate for most/ majority of the time | |
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Slide 23
(start red text) If uses TTR more than never for either unfamiliar or familiar trips (end red text)
Overall, how satisfied were you with your trips on the North Freeway or Hardy Toll Road during the last two weeks of the study period?
| Very Dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Somewhat Dissatisfied | Neutral | Somewhat Satisfied | Satisfied | Very Satisfied | Not Applicable | |
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| Trips made while using the Transportation Study Resource | |
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| (start red text) [if used other sources] (end red text) Trips made while using another travel information resource | |
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| Trips made when I did not use any travel information | |
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Slide 24
(start red text) If never used info (ttrinfo_freq_fam=never AND ttrinfo_freq_unfam=never) (end red text)
Can you tell us why you did not use the Transportation Study Resource for your trips during the study?
Please select all that apply.
- The information did not seem reliable
- My schedule is generally flexible (I do not need to arrive at my destinations at a specific time)
- I am familiar with traffic conditions/travel times on the North Freeway/ Hardy Toll Road
- I did not have time to check the information
- Accessing information was difficult or inconvenient
- The information was not detailed enough
- The information was not available for my entire route
- The information was difficult to understand
- I prefer the other types of traveler information I normally use
- I never use any types of traveler information
- Other, please specify:
(start red text) Randomize statements (end red text)
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Slide 25
(start red text) Ask everyone (end red text)
How likely are you to use travel information resources (like the Transportation Study Resource) for the following types of trips in the future?
| Very unlikely | Unlikely | Somewhat Unlikely | Neutral | Somewhat Likely | Likely | Very Likely | Not Applicable | |
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| Commuting trips | |
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| Familiar personal trips | |
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| Trips in an unfamiliar city | |
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Show pop-up for Familiar/ Unfamiliar trip definitions/ examples – same as in baseline (end red text)
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Slide 26
If you plan to use travel information for trips in the future, how do you prefer to receive this information?
Please select all that apply.
- Through a smartphone app
- On a website
- Through a phone number (e.g. 511)
- Through email or text message alerts
- Other, please specify:
- I do not plan to travel information in the future
(start red text) Randomize statements – anchor "Other" and "do not plan to use" at bottom (end red text)
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Slide 27
Optional: Do you have any suggestions for improving travel information, other types of traveler information, or travel experiences on the North Freeway or Hardy Toll Road?
(start red text) Optional text box entry (end red text) |
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Slide 28
Would you be willing to participate in future studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Transportation, or other study sponsors?
An important part of improving the transportation system is gathering feedback from residents such as yourself. If you say "Yes" you may be contacted in the future to invite you to another study, but your response does not impact your participation in this study.
Yes
No
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Slide 29
Thank you! Your responses have been successfully submitted.
Congratulations, you have completed the North Houston Transportation Study!
We will provide information in a separate email with instructions on how to receive your $100 cash.
In the meantime, please email houstonstudy@tti.tamu.edu if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you again for helping to improve traveler information resources and transportation in the Houston region!
