An Emerging Transportation Vision for 2025
Results of Recent Outreach Activities
presented to
VTrans2025 Policy Committee
March 18, 2004
Presented by
Bob Stanley
Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
John Martin
SIR Research, Inc.
Transportation leadership you can trust.
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
OBJECTIVE
Create a meaningful and effective future vision for
transportation in the Commonwealth that can be shared
and embraced by all
Meaningful
Reflects shared perspectives
Effective
Provides a clear linkage to goals,
objectives and measures of progress
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
CONTEXT
Widely shared concerns about transportation planning
and investment
Commitment by the Administration through VTrans2025
Early vision statements too broad, vague
Desire to incorporate more descriptive characteristics of
the future system and how it will be developed
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
OUTREACH
FOCUS
12 Regional meetings in ’01
Issues
8 Citizen Forums in ’03
Goals/Values
6 Stakeholder Discussions in ’03
Needs
Statewide Survey in ’04
Visions
Policy Responses
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
SYNTHESIS: General Sentiments
Widespread recognition that the transportation system
and decision-making process needs attention
A “business-as-usual” approach is no longer acceptable
Wide-ranging views and opinions from Citizen Forums
and Stakeholder Discussions within and across regions
More consistently held sentiments among survey
respondents
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
SYNTHESIS: Strong Convergence on Key Topics
Concern over congestion
Reluctance to impact the environment
Receptivity to taxing…if funds go to transportation
Importance of “program delivery” as a goal
Importance of “economic competitiveness” as a goal
Need to better define and balance state, regional priorities
Strong emphasis on non-highway improvements
Need for more, better communication in decision-making
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
SYNTHESIS: Diverging Interests…to be Reconciled
Resource/funding issues are a strong stakeholder focus
Safety and job access are a stronger survey focus
Connectivity/intermodalism are a stronger stakeholder focus
Least important among survey respondents
Extreme variation among stakeholders on goals
Even support for goals among survey respondents
Safety ranked highly in survey; ranked lowest by stakeholders
Environment/quality of life ranked highly by survey respondents
Of lesser importance by stakeholders
Transportation needs vary across regions:
Stronger focus on non-highway modes in larger areas
Stronger focus on roads in small areas
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
IMPLICATIONS OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Expectation of action on transportation issues
Approaches to planning, decision-making have to change
Geographic regions have varying views and needs
Better communication is a key to addressing, reconciling
opinions within and across regions
Documentation of consequences to…
Build a common understanding as a basis for action…
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
VTrans Statewide Survey
2004 Telephone Study
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Study Objectives
Assess residents’ appreciation,
ratings and prioritization of VTrans
Stakeholders’…
• Values
• Goals
• Visions
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
VTRANS 2025
Methodology
Telephone interviews among 1212 Virginians 18
years of age or older
Interviewing conducted between February 9 and
March 2, 2004
Introduced as a study on the future of Virginia
transportation, conducted on behalf of Virginia’s
Secretary of Transportation
Maximum statistical error of +/- 2.8% for total
sample
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Before we examine how residents
feel about the stake holder's
values, goals, and visions,
let’s
put “transportation issues” into
perspective
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
How Residents View
Virginia’s Current
Transportation System
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
There Is Room For Improvement
Only Half View Virginia’s Current
Transportation System As Excellent Or Good
State of Virginia
7%
Local Area 6%
0%
42%
37%
38%
20%
Excellent
12%
34%
40%
Good
60%
21%
80%
Fair
100%
Poor
Overall, how would you rate the current transportation system when traveling
around the State of Virginia? ….your own local area?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
But, These Ratings Vary
By Virginia’s Many
Different Audiences…
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Mode of Travel Affects Perspective And Rating
Mass Transit/Public Transportation Users View Local transportation Systems More Favorably
Local Area 6%
38%
44%
63%
Mass Transit/Public
Transportation
Most Often
16%
47%
22%
15%
42%
Drive Most Often 5%
0%
37%
20%
Excellent
35%
40%
21%
60%
Good
80%
Fair
100%
Poor
Overall, how would you rate the current transportation system when traveling
around your own local area?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
A Resident’s Location Affects Their
Perspective And Rating
NOVA
4%
33%
Norfolk/VA Beach
4%
35%
35%
28%
40%
21%
30%
Hampton/Newport News
3%
27%
41%
29%
59%
Richmond/Petersburg
10%
Small Metro
7%
Small Urban
4%
Rural
49%
49%
35%
9%
0%
13%
32%
11%
40%
43%
20%
27%
19%
27%
40%
Excellent
60%
Good
Fair
19%
80%
100%
Poor
Overall, how would you rate the current transportation system when
traveling around your own local area?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Road Congestion and Safety
Are Top Concerns Statewide
Chart reflects only those ratings indicating “concern,” ratings of 4 or 5
66%
62%
Road Congestion
60%
58%
Get Around Safe & Easy
55%
53%
Get to or Perform Job
51%
51%
Public Investment
50%
50%
Transportation Choices
42%
47%
Non-Work Trips
42%
42%
Transporation Connections
0%
20%
40%
Local Area
60%
80%
100%
State of Virginia
I’d like to know how much of a concern different transportation issues are to the entire state of
Virginia/your local area. Using a 1 to 5 scale, Where ‘1’ means it’s “no concern at all” and ‘5’ means it
is a “major concern,” how much of a concern is (selected issue)?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Virginians Place Highest Priority On Roads and
Highways When Apportioning Transportation Funds
Based on a budget of $10
Roads & Highways
3.1
Public Transportation
2.2
Sidewalks/Bike Paths
1.2
Freight
1.2
Airports
1.2
Ports
1.0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Imagine you have a $10 budget to spend on all transportation needs. You may assign as much as
you want to any need, but you only Have $10 to spend among all of them. I would like for you to
tell me how you would distribute the $10 among these six services or needs.
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Majority Want Expanded or Improved Public
Transportation, Highways and Roads.
But Feel It Is Only Necessary to Maintain Other
Transportation Systems
100%
80%
68%
63%
53%
43%
60%
40%
30%
35%
64%
57%
36%
31%
63%
28%
20%
0%
Public
Transportation
Roads &
Highways
Sidewalk &
Bicycle Paths
Freight &
Services &
Facilities
Airport Facilities
Expanding & Improving
Port Service &
Facilities
Maintaining
Should Virginia spend more money on maintaining or should Virginia spend
more on expanding and improving (transportation service)?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Many Agree To Pay More In Favor Of
Transportation Improvements
Safer Transportation Even If Pay More
44%
Pay More for Improved Access to
Underserved Pop.
40%
More Convenient Roads/Less Congestion
Though Pay More
39%
0%
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
20%
40%
44%
39%
40%
Disagree Somewhat
9%
8% 6%
12%
60%
6%
80%
9%
100%
Disagree Strongly
I’m going to read you a list of statements on transportation. For each one, please tell
me to what extent you agree or disagree with the Statement, where you agree
strongly, agree somewhat, disagree somewhat, or disagree strongly
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Support For Tax Increases Is Strong If
Guarantees Could Be Made To Spend Funds
Solely On Transportation-Related Projects
Support Tax
Increases If
Transporation Funds
Spent Solely on
Transportation
43%
0%
Agree Strongly
20%
Agree Somewhat
35%
40%
60%
Disagree Somewhat
10%
80%
11%
100%
Disagree Strongly
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Protection of The Environment and Safety
Are Citizens’ Number One Priority
Chart reflects only those ratings indicating “importance,” ratings of 4 or 5
Protection of Environment
73%
Enhanced Safety
73%
Move Easier & Faster
69%
Special Needs of Challenged Population
68%
61%
Services & Facilities That Support Business
58%
Wider Range of Options
Better Connections
56%
Cost to Local Government
56%
Cost of Services to Citizen
55%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Thinking about your own local area’s current transportation needs, how important is
(selected issue) to your local area? We’ll use a 1 to 5 scale where ‘1’ is “not at all
important” and ‘5’ is “very important”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Virginia Residents May Want More
Involvement In Transportation Planning
In the past,
transportation
decision-makers
have adequately
considered citizen
viewpoints in the
development of
transportation plans
44%
10%
0%
Agree Strongly
38%
20%
Agree Somewhat
26%
40%
60%
Disagree Somewhat
18%
80%
100%
Disagree Strongly
How much do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Summary
The State of Current Transportation System
Current citizen ratings of Virginia’s Transportation system has
room for improvement
Road congestion and safety are top concerns
Residents want available money spent on public
transportation, roads and highways
Residents willing to pay taxes if funds are guaranteed to go to
specific improvements
But protecting the environment and enhancing safety take
precedence over other outcomes
Many believe decision-makers haven’t adequately considered
citizen viewpoints
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
2004 VTrans’ Study Objectives
Assess residents’ appreciation,
ratings and prioritization of VTrans
Stakeholders’…
• Values
• Goals
• Alternative Vision
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Transportation Values
Perceived Transportation Needs That Will Guide the
Development of Virginia’s Long-Term Transportation Plan
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
9 Transportation Values
Protection of the environment, such as reducing air and water pollution, or
protecting open space
Ability to move around easier and faster by reducing traffic congestion,
reducing travel time, or increasing speed
Enhanced transportation safety, such as lowering accident rates
Special needs of transportation-challenged populations, such as the
disabled, elderly, or lower income individuals
Wider range of options, including but not limited to more frequent public
transportation service, High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, or park and ride lots
Transportation services
business and industry
and facilities that support growth of local
Better connections among different types of available transportation choices
Cost of transportation services to you - implies you personally pay more
Cost to your local government to subsidize transportation facilities and services
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Importance of Transportation Values
Mean Ratings
Mean
Rank
Safety/Security
4.1
1
Protect Environment
4.1
1
Move Easier & Faster
4.0
2
Special Needs
4.0
2
Support Business
3.8
3
Cost to Govt.
3.7
4
Wider Range of Options
3.6
5
Better Connections
3.6
5
Cost to Citizens
3.6
5
Thinking about your own local area’s current transportation needs, how important is (selected
issue) to your local area?
We’ll Use a 1 to 5 scale, where ‘1’ is not at all important” and ‘5’ is “very important.”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
All Values Are Widely Shared. The Greatest Importance Is
Placed On Safety and Environmental Protection
Chart reflects only those ratings indicating “importance,” ratings of 4 or 5
Rank
Enhanced Safety
53%
20%
1
Protection of Environment
53%
20%
1
Move Easier & Faster
48%
Special Needs of Challenged Population
46%
Services & Facilities That Support Business
22%
39%
Wider Range of Options
35%
Better Connections
35%
Cost to Local Government
33%
Cost of Services to Citizen
20%
3
22%
23%
21%
Ratings of '5'
4
Ratings of '4'
4
4
23%
37%
0%
2
2
21%
5
18%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Thinking about your own local area’s current transportation needs, how important is
(selected issue) to your local area?
We’ll Use a 1 to 5 scale, where ‘1’ is not at all important” and ‘5’ is “very important.”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Disabled Virginians
Have A Unique Perspective On The
Alternative Values
Compared to the the population in general,
disabled Virginians place greater importance on:
• Special needs of transportationchallenged populations
• Wider range of options
• Better connections
Define disable: Do you have a disability that makes
transportation a challenge for you?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Minorities
Have A Unique Perspective On The
Alternative Values
Compared to whites, minorities are more likely to
place importance on:
• Special needs of transportation-challenged
populations
• Transportation services/facilities that
support growth of local business &
industry
• Wider range of options
• Better connections
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Regional Perspective
Tidewater
Most importance is
placed on safety
Northern Virginia
Most importance is
placed on environmental
protection
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Relative Importance of Each Value
Varies By Audience Perspective
Ranked in order of extreme importance
Examples Of Different Perspectives
NOVA
Richmond
Petersburg
Rural
Areas
Public
Transit
Auto
Depend
Disabled
Minority
White
Safety/Security
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
Protect
Environment
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
Move Easier &
Faster
1
4
6
4
2
4
4
3
Special Needs
5
2
3
2
3
2
3
4
Support
Business
6
7
4
3
4
8
6
5
Wider Range of
Options
4
7
8
6
6
9
8
6
Better
Connections
5
6
7
3
6
5
6
7
Cost to Govt.
7
8
7
5
7
7
7
8
Cost to Citizens
6
5
5
3
5
6
5
6
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Take Away On Values
When it comes to transportation
planning, enhanced safety and
protecting the environment resonate with
most Virginians
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Transportation Goals
Goals That Will Guide the Development of Virginia’s
Long-Term Transportation Plan
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
6 Transportation Goals
Provide a transportation system that…
Safety & Security: ensures safe, secure transportation for people and
goods
System Efficiency: maintains and preserves Virginia’s existing
services and facilities, using state-of-the-art technologies and strategies
Mobility: presents users with expanded travel choices and assures easy
connections between transportation services and facilities
Economic Competitiveness: improves Virginia’s ability to attract
and retain business, jobs, and improve access to economic opportunity
Quality of Life: enhances Virginia’s quality of life and the character of
our communities
Program Delivery: where transportation decisions maximize benefits
and projects are completed on time and on budget
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Importance of Transportation Goals
Mean Ratings
Mean
Rank
Safe & Secure
4.4
1
Program Delivery
4.4
1
Quality of Life
4.3
2
Economic
Competitive
4.3
2
Mobility
4.1
3
System Efficiency
4.1
3
There are six major goals that will guide the development of Virginia’s long-term transportation plan.
Please rate each on a 1 to 5 scale with how important each goal is to you, with ‘1’ being “not at all
important” and ‘5’ being “very important”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
All Of The Goals Are Almost Equally Important.
There Is No Statistical Difference Between 4 Out Of The 6 Goals
Chart reflects only those ratings indicating “importance,” ratings of 4 or 5
Safety & Security
61%
23%
1
Program Delivery
60%
23%
1
1
58%
Quality of Life
Economic Competitiveness
25%
0%
1 or 2
57%
47%
Mobility
System Efficiency
25%
30%
20%
2
28%
2
45%
40%
Ratings of '5'
60%
80%
100%
Ratings of '4'
There are six major goals that will guide the development of Virginia’s long-term transportation plan.
Please rate each on a 1 to 5 scale with how important each goal is to you, with ‘1’ being “not at all
important” and ‘5’ being “very important”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
24% of Residents Did Not Rate Any Differences
Between The Alternative Goals
%
Percent Who Gave Same Rating To All Of the Values
or All Of The Goals or All Of The Visions
7%
9 Values
24%
6 Goals
10%
4 Visions
But even when these respondents are taken
out of the total, overall ratings still close
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Relative Importance of Each Goal
Varies By Audience Perspective
Ranked in order of extreme importance
Examples Of Different Perspectives
NOVA
Richmond
Petersburg
Rural
Areas*
Public
Transit
Auto
Depend
Disabled*
Minority
White
Safe &
Secure
1
1
2
2
1
3
1
1
Program
Delivery
1
2
4
3
2
4
2
1
Quality of
Life
2
2
3
4
3
1
3
2
Economic
Competitive
4
2
1
1
4
2
1
3
Mobility
3
3
6
3
5
5
4
5
System
Efficiency
5
4
5
5
6
6
5
4
*can differentiate between all 6
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
What Happens To The Goals When
Residents Are Forced To Make
Tradeoffs in Developing An Ideal
Transportation Plan?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Applying Statistical Modeling
Conjoint Analysis
Virginians value the transportation options they currently
have. Reductions in transportation options would be
undesirable.
Transportation projects that result in reduced safety are
not acceptable tradeoffs for system efficiency, mobility,
economic competitiveness or any other concern.
Virginians hesitate to impact the environment in favor of
transportation improvements
• They would sacrifice more congestion
Concerns about economic competitiveness exist, but they
are less relevant to Virginians’ support of transportation
projects than are other issues.
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Take Away On Goals
Safety & security, quality of life, and doing
the job on time and on budget are the
goals that resonate.
Threats to safety, the environment , and
quality of life are more important than
promises of transportations
improvements.
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Transportation Visions
Alternative Visions For Virginia’s
Long-Term Transportation Plan
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Transportation Visions
Status Quo: Continue to plan and invest in transportation
needs the same what it has always been done
Opportunistic: Continue to plan and invest in
transportation needs the same way it has always been done, but
attempt to get additional funding that may dictate project choices
Strategic: Make targeted investments by focusing attention
on projects felt to be most critical to state and regional priorities
Fully Integrated: Increasing the level in investment to
expand and fully connect transportation systems and services to
assure ease in travel
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Support For Transportation Vision
Mean Ratings
Strategic
Fully Integrated
Opportunistic
Status Quo
Mean
3.9
3.9
3.3
2.7
Rank
1
1
2
3
There are six major goals that will guide the development of Virginia’s long-term transportation plan.
Please rate each on a 1 to 5 scale with how important each goal is to you, with ‘1’ being “not at all
important” and ‘5’ being “very important”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Virginians Support A More Strategic
And Fully Integrated Approach To
Transportation Planning
Chart reflects only those ratings indicating “support,” ratings of 4 or 5
Rank
Strategic
32%
36%
1
Fully Integrated
33%
33%
1
2
21%
22%
Opportunistic
Ratings of '5'
12%
Status Quo
0%
12%
20%
3
Ratings of '4'
40%
60%
80%
100%
Virginia’s long-term transportation plan can be approached from different perspectives. I would like you
to rate each approach on a 1 to 5 Scale on how much you support each vision statement; ‘1’ is “do not
support” and ‘5’ is “totally support”’
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Relative Importance Of Each
Vision Varies Only A Little By
Audience Perspective
Ranked in order of extreme importance
Examples Of Different Perspectives
NOVA
Richmond
Petersburg
Rural
Areas
Public
Transit
Auto
Depend
Disabled
Minorities
White
Strategic
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
Fully
Integrated
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
Opportunistic
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Status Quo
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
The Take Away On Visions
Virginians support a strategic and
fully-integrated approaches…
just not the status quo.
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Overall Conclusions
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Overall Conclusions
Virginians value the transportation options they currently
have, but do not rate them highly. Reductions in
transportation options would be undesirable.
Virginian support paying higher taxes for improvements.
But want to know funding is going to specific projects,
and the projects come in on budget, not necessarily on
time.
They prefer improvement to roads, highways, and public
transit over other transportation network infrastructure
(rail and ports, and air).
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Overall Conclusions
Enhanced safety & security and protecting the
environment are the values that resonate the most.
Safety & security, quality of life, and doing the job
on time and on budget are the goals that most
support.
Virginians support a more strategic and fullyintegrated approach to planning rather than the
status quo.
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Back to Bob
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
THE EMERGING VISION…
Give meaning to “being the best…”
Build on commonly-held themes
A start:
“Virginians wish to provide the highest quality travel
experience for all residents and visitors, businesses
and industries…on the best network of facilities and
services available anywhere.
It is our vision that…
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
Findings of Research
…that travel – for people and goods – throughout
the Commonwealth of Virginia is safe and
unimpeded, whether across town or across the
state;
Safety is number 1
transportation goal
…that improvements in transportation serve to
balance and enhance economic opportunity while
protecting environmental quality and the quality of
life in Virginia’s communities;
The most
important issue -protect
environment and
quality of life
…that transportation improvements respect and
reflect the varied needs of Virginia’s diverse
communities and regions; and
Needs are varied
and can be clearly
differentiated
…that travel choices are widely available,
appropriate to the nature of the trip and the scale of
the need;
Not critically
important
…that investments in transportation are adequate to
meet current and future needs;
Need more
investment and
will pay for it if
designated
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Results of Recent Outreach
Findings of Research
…transportation decisions are guided by
sustained, informed involvement of Virginia’s
community leaders and citizens using state-of-theart techniques, tools and technologies;
…that the continued development of Virginia’s
communities be guided by and linked to protecting
and enhancing operation of the overall
transportation network; and
…that full accountability for and enduring trust be
the hall mark of transportation planning and
investment decisions throughout the
Commonwealth.
44% don’t agree
that decisionmakers have
considered
residents’
viewpoints
No survey
finding related
to issue
Want to know $
go to designated
project…and
more important
to be within
budget than on
time
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
“Virginians wish to provide the
highest quality travel
experience for all residents
and visitors, businesses and
industries…on the best
network of facilities and
services available anywhere.”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Additional Cross Tabulations As
Requested By The VTrans
Committee
Overall, Small Urban And Rural Virginians Do Not
Share The Same Concerns Over Transportation Issues
Chart reflects only those ratings of “concern”, ratings of 4 or 5
Road Congestion
Get Around Safely & Easily
Get To or Perform Job
Public Investment
Transportation Choices
Non-Work Trips
Transportation Connections
0%
20%
40%
Rural Areas
Small Urban
Small Metro
Hampton/Newport News
Norfolk/VA Beach
Major Metro (NOVA)
60%
80%
100%
Richmond/Petersburg
I’d like to know how much of a concern different transportation issues are to you in your own local area.
Using a 1 to 5 scale, where’1’ means it’s “no concern at all” and ‘5’ means it is a “major concern,”
how much of a concern is (selected issue)?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Increased Public Transportation Is The Number
One Transportation Alternative Facing Virginia
Unaided Responses
More Access to Public Transportation
23%
12% 11%
Improve Road Conditions
Reduce Congestion
9%
Add More Lanes/Widen Roads
9%
More Bus Routes
Expand Metro/Rail Services
Not Enough Roads/Highways
Completion of Road Projects
Better Public Transportation
12%
10%
6%
Better Roads/Highways
Accessible Trans. For Challenged Pop.
22%
4%
State of
Virginia
4%
3%
6%
6%
4%
5%
3%
7%
3%
3%
2%
Other Responses
None in Particular
0%
14%
Local Area
17%
4%
13%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Thinking about transportation needs, what would you say are the biggest transportation needs
facing the entire state of Virginia/you local area?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Though Most Virginians
Currently Drive Their Own
Vehicle Most Often, Almost Two
Thirds Say They Would Like To
Be Able To Use Other Modes Of
Transportation More Often
In The Future
Public Transportation Is The Number One
Mode Of Transportation Virginians Would Like
To Be Able To Use More Often
31%
Bus/Metro Bus
29%
Commuter Train/Light Train/Rail
17%
Metro/Subway/Metro Rail
8%
Carpooling
Bicycle
6%
Airplanes
5%
3%
Mass Transit
Public Transportation (unspecified)
1%
Other Responses
2%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
What mode of transportation would you like to be able to use more often in the future?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Lack Of Availability Prevents Virginians From
Using Other Modes Of Transportation
Not Available
52%
13%
Inconvenient Location
9%
Doesn't Go Where Needed
6%
Too Expensive
5%
Schedule Not Convenient
Takes Too Much Time
3%
Safety Issues
3%
Prefer to Use Own Vehicle
3%
Parking
2%
9%
Other Responses
4%
Nothing in Particular
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
What prevents you from using this mode of transportation now?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Small Metropolitan Areas Are More Likely To
Support Tax Increases To Spend On
Transportation-related Projects
79%
NOVA
81%
Norfolk/VA Beach
Hampton/Newport
News
78%
73%
Richmond/Petersburg
86%
Small Metro
77%
Small Urban
73%
Rural
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
How much do you agree or disagree with this statement: I would support tax increases if I knew that funds
Raised for transportation projects are guaranteed to be spent only on transportation-related projects
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Three Quarters Consider Environmental
Protection Important
While some groups express less concern for the
environment than others:
• Older Virginians are less likely to place importance on
protecting the environment (67% of those 55 or older vs.
75% who are younger)
• Fewer men find environmental concerns important (70% vs.
75% of females)
• A below average number of those in small urban and rural
areas find environmental protection important (58% in small
urban areas and 68% in rural areas vs. an average of 73%)
Thinking about your local area’s current transportation needs, how important is Protection of the
Environment, such as reducing air and water pollution, or protecting open space?
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Environmental Concerns
Though the majority would not accept an unfavorable
impact to the environment in order to boost local
economy, some groups are more willing to accept an
unfavorable environmental impact than others
• Younger Virginians, those 18 – 44, would more likely accept
this to boost local economy (37% vs. 31% who are older)
• Males would be more willing than females to accept an
environmental impact (39% vs. 30%)
• Rural Virginians would accept an unfavorable impact to the
environment more so than those in other areas
(41% vs. 28% - 38%)
Agreement with this statement: In order to boost local economy, I would accept an unfavorable
impact to the environment
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Importance Of Transportation Goals Differ
Among Regions
Chart reflects only those ratings indicating “importance,” ratings of 4 or 5
Safety & Security
Program Delivery
Quality of Life
Economic
Competitiveness
System Efficiency
Mobility
0%
Rural Areas
Hampton/Newport News
20%
Small Urban
Norfolk/VA Beach
40%
60%
Small Metro
Major Metro (NOVA)
80%
100%
Richmond/Petersburg
. There are six major goals that will guide the development of Virginia's long-term transportation plan.
Please rate each on a 1 to 5 scale with how important each goal is to you,
with ‘1’ being “not at all important” and ‘5’ being “very important.”
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Importance Of The Goals
Goal
Importance Index
based on ratings of “very important”
Safety and Security
111
Program Delivery
109
Quality of Life
105
Economic Competitiveness
104
Mobility
85
System Efficiency
82
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
What Happens To The Goals
Measurement When Residents
Are Forced To Make Tradeoffs
In Developing An Ideal
Transportation Plan?
Goals Take On A Different Level Of Importance When
Presented As Part Of A Total Transportation Plan
Negative values simply means that threats to any of these things make the investment less
attractive. For example, threats to quality of life are most problematic
Goals
Beta Weights
Quality of Life
-.148
Mobility
-.123
Safety & Security
-.112
System Efficiency
-.100
Economic Competitiveness
-.085
Program Delivery
-.073
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Insights Into Program Delivery
Bringing projects in on budget is more important than
bringing projects in on time
Coming in on time had NO effect on rating transportation
plans. Virginians were simply unresponsive to this item
when rating various transportation plans.
Desire to bring projects in on budget may be a direct
result of recent media coverage on transportation funding
Because of the length of time it normally takes to
complete a project, few people have a sense that there is
a problem with timely completion
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.
Support For Transportation Visions Is Similar
In All Parts Of The State
Chart reflects only those ratings indicating “support,” ratings of 4 or 5
Strategic
Fully Integrated
Opportunistic
Status Quo
0%
20%
40%
60%
Rural Areas
Small Urban
Small Metro
Hampton/Newport News
Norfolk/VA Beach
Major Metro (NOVA)
80%
100%
Richmond/Petersburg
Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.