This week marks the launch of a critical tool in transportation planning for the SEMCOG region as well as the entire State of Michigan. MI Travel Counts is an intensive study of how, when, where, and why people travel in and around the region. To ensure the required number of responses for this survey, 600,000 households (randomly selected) will receive requests to participate.
Participating residents are asked to log their travel, helping us understand regional transportation patterns. Results will help to reveal how travel patterns have evolved (such as increase in work from home, greater options for micromobility, etc.) and how the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and SEMCOG can plan for transportation improvements in the future.
Beginning now, invitations will be mailed to residents’ home addresses, with postcards following approximately one week later as a reminder to participate. Residents are selected at random based on their home addresses to ensure accurate representation of Southeast Michigan. In total, we hope to collect travel data from 9,600 households throughout SEMCOG’s seven counties.
Why You Should Participate (if asked)
Real human perspectives will help us understand how local roads, highways, public transportation, bike lanes, and sidewalks are used today, and how they can be improved to make travel better in the future. Residents’ input will have a big influence because only a limited number of households have been invited to participate in the survey. The participation from the residents of your community ensures that households in your community are represented in local and statewide transportation plans. Participation is voluntary.
How much time does it take to participate?
It takes about 10 minutes to sign up for the survey. Only one household member completes the initial sign-up survey for the study. Households log their travel for seven days in a smartphone app or report for one day travel, online or phone call. It takes about five to 10 minutes each day to report.
What does a household get for participating?
A household will receive a gift card once all members of the household have reported their travel and completed their surveys. Once a household is signed up, all household members need to participate in the survey to be eligible for gift cards. If the household chooses to participate using the smartphone app (rMove®), each participating adult will receive a gift card. Households that report their travel online or by calling in will receive a single gift card.
How are survey results used?
Each resident’s responses, combined with those of their neighbors and other respondents, helps paint a picture of travel behaviors in each community and across the region. This picture helps planners understand how changes to transportation infrastructure may influence things like commute times and access to important activities.
How is personal privacy protected?
We are committed to protecting the confidentiality, integrity and security of personal information and take this responsibility seriously. Data is used for community and regional transportation planning purposes only. We will not disclose or share personal information we collect, except as required by law.
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