SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: How Fast is a Fast Train? Comparing Attitudes and Preferences for Improved Passenger Rail Service among Urban Areas in the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor
Project Number: 161003
Principal Investigator:
Curtis Morgan
(979) 458-1683
P.I. Affiliation: Texas A&M University
Project Monitor:
Tom Shelton
Senior Program Manager
Streamlined Project Delivery Team
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Transportation Department
616 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX 76011
(817) 704-5633
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/09
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/10
Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal: $46,000
Estimated Cost - Total Planned: $46,000
Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
The objective of this study is to conduct a survey of residents in urban areas of varying size that are located along the federally-designated South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor to identify the attitudes, perceptions, and expectations for improved passenger rail service in their community. Comparison of the survey findings between the different-sized urban areas will inform planning efforts and ensure appropriate levels of investment in improved intercity passenger rail along this and other federally-designated high-speed rail corridors.
Project Objectives:
The objective of this study is to conduct a survey of residents in urban areas of varying size that are located along the federally-designated South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor to identify the attitudes, perceptions, and expectations for improved passenger rail service in their community. Comparison of the survey findings between the different-sized urban areas will inform planning efforts and ensure appropriate levels of investment in improved intercity passenger rail along this and other federally-designated high-speed rail corridors.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Literature Review
Task 1 of this project will consist of a review of literature associated with the project topics. It is anticipated that the literature review will include past feasibility studies of proposed high-speed passenger rail service in the United States as well as preference studies for international high-speed passenger rail lines currently in operation. Research on the design of consumer preference studies for transportation will also be reviewed to aid in the design of the survey instrument for this research. The findings from Task 1 will be reported in the final project report and will also be used to guide subsequent project tasks.
Task 2: Experimental Design
The primary objective of this project is to compare the attitudes and preferences for improved rail service among urban areas of differing size along the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor. Task 2 of this project will select up to three urban areas along the Corridor that will be targeted for study. Selection of the urban areas will be based upon population, although other factors may be considered if there is evidence to do so from the Task 1 findings. Special care will be taken to ensure that the urban areas selected for study conform to standard definitions of urban area size established by federal or state agencies. Once the target urban areas have been selected, strategies for survey promotion will be developed, including media advertising, outreach to stakeholder groups, or other methods identified in literature. This would also include the selection of incentives for participation, if appropriate.
Task 3: Design of Survey Instrument
Task 3 of this project will develop the survey instrument to be used in this research study. The survey to be used in the proposed research is expected to consist of four parts. First, the respondent will be asked to identify his or her current patterns of intercity travel including travel mode, travel frequency, and trip purpose. Second, the respondent will be asked to provide a level of agreement with a series of attitudinal statements related to the potential development of improved intercity passenger rail service in his or her community. Third, the respondent will be asked to consider several alternative scenarios of improved intercity passenger rail service and select the scenario that they would most prefer. Finally, demographic information on the respondent will be gathered to ensure that the data are a representative sample of the entire community. The survey will be computer-based and utilize design and data processing methods already developed at TTI. A complete test of the survey instrument will be undertaken and the necessary changes made. Once the survey instrument and data collection methods have been developed (Task 2), an application will be submitted to the Texas A&M University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for approval.
Task 4: Data Collection
Once IRB approves the research study and survey instrument, the data collection plan developed in Tasks 2 and 3 will be executed in Task 4. This task may include travel to the target urban areas to meet with stakeholder groups or promote participation in the research study. Special care will be taken to ensure that the survey participants are a representative sample of the target urban area population (see Task 5).
Task 5: Field Reconnaissance
One drawback of computer-based survey instruments is that those without access to the appropriate technology are unable to participate in the research study. Collectively, these persons, which are part of the target population, are systematically under-represented in the research unless certain measures are taken. As the survey data are received, project researchers will determine if any field work will be necessary to collect survey responses from groups that are under-represented in the sample. This field work may include outreach to certain groups (via postcard mailing, for example) or travel to the target urban area to connect with under-represented segments of the population. Appropriate methods for determining under-representation and corrective actions will identified in the literature as needed.
Task 6: Data Analysis
Task 6 of this project will consist of a full analysis of the travel survey data set. It is anticipated that the data analysis will include the current intercity travel patterns of the survey respondents, the attitudes and preferences for improved passenger rail service of these respondents, and their demographic profile. Common statistical methods will be used to identify significant differences among responses from the small, medium, and large urban areas.
Task 7: Final Report
Task 7 of this project will consist of the development and writing of a final technical report of project activities. In addition to the final report, a presentation detailing the activities and results of the project will be developed and presented to project stakeholders, if desired. A similar presentation for communicating the research outcomes to non-stakeholder audiences at conferences, seminars, or professional meetings will also be developed.
Index Terms: