What is the quality of travel data for underrepresented, marginalized populations? The issues go deeper than creating slicker algorithms: In a world with deep-rooted systemic inequity, transportation professionals must understand contextual factors and approach data collection with sensitivity. Data from travel surveys are used to inform investments and craft urban policies. It is critical that hard-to-reach populations—such as low-income, minority, and transit-dependent people—have their travel behavior accurately reflected. This study explored the current limitations and opportunities in household travel survey methods. 

The research team linked the 2010 Decennial Census population and housing data to an apparent stratified random sample of 6,107 household responses to the 2011 Oregon Household Activity Survey (OHAS) in the Portland metropolitan area. They found that the 2011 OHAS consistently over-represented white households and underrepresented Nonwhite households in the greater Portland area. Researchers found evidence that the OHAS survey methods lack social, cultural, and linguistic applicability for Black, Indigenous and other people of color, as well as low-income populations. Marginalized groups face significant barriers to completing household travel surveys: mistrust of the government; concerns about personal privacy; language difficulties; issues with the construction of the survey questions themselves; and time constraints.

The study offers transportation professionals strategies centered around five themes to improve data collection efforts: increase transparency; protect data and privacy; community engagement; language use; and seeking out alternatives to the one-day travel diary.

I work in a small-medium size MPO in the midwest and we are trying to improve the way we collect and incorporate all public input. This report is helping to inform a grant we are applying for to develop some of our own outreach and data analysis practices related to underrepresented populations.
-Champaign County RPC

Learn more about Developing Data, Models, and Tools to Enhance Transportation Equity, led by Amy Lubitow of Portland State University.