NCHRP Project 08-36
Proposed Research Problem Statement
1. Title
Commuting in America IV (CIA4): Tabulation Preparation and Web Development
2. Background
AASHTO’s CTPP Oversight Board has determined that the timing is right for the
development of CIA4. To this end, the board has allocated $150,000 to the necessary
writing, research, and analysis of preparing CIA4. However, given the substantial changes
made in the fundamental source materials by the Census Bureau, additional funding is
required for: a) data analysis (including necessary software and tabulations preparation); and
b) web development and dissemination. Given its position within AASHTO, it is essential for
SCOP to play a lead role in the development of the CIA4 series and subsequent
institutionalization within AASHTO. This research proposal builds upon a conversation of
SCOP leadership in March 2011 about developing products seen as useful to SCOP
members. Thus, the activities proposed in this research are both necessary and appropriate
for SCOP to undertake.
This proposed NCHRP 08-36 project will be leveraged with $150,000 allocated by the
CTPP Oversight Board for the writing and associated research and analysis needed to
produce the CIA4 products.
3. Statement of Urgency
Given the amount of time that has passed since CIA3 was published, it is essential to start the
research and analysis needed for CIA4. The data available from the CTPP Program (1- and 3year tabulations) will be used as the basis for this analysis. Early products from development
of CIA4 will play an important role in transportation policy development for AASHTO.
4. Project Objective(s)
The primary objective of this research is to support the development of CIA4. A fundamental
change to CIA4 will be a series of reports published on a regular basis via the web rather than
a singular report. To that end, the NCHRP 08-36 funds would be used to:
1. Conduct data analysis; and
2. Develop a web dissemination platform.
5. Relationship to Existing Body of Knowledge
The new American Community Survey and CTPP structure creates a new basic structure for
national and state level data development for commuting behavior information. This work
will provide continuity in the series.
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6. List of Anticipated Work Tasks
Task 1: Data Analysis
a. Public Use Micro Data Sample (PUMS) aggregates that will permit excel formatting
manipulation and analysis.
b. Mapping and graphing of flow data that may be highly pertinent1
c. Assemble treatments and comparisons to Census data identified as rural (with all its
varying meanings) including micropolitan areas, rural portions of metropolitan
statistical areas, etc.
d. Other special tabulations as required.
e. Additionally:
i. It is expected, given weaknesses in Census-provided statistical summaries and
disclosure constraints, that greater use will need to be made of the PUMS2 files
and PUMA geography in 1, 3 and 5 year formats as required. These are large
complex files with millions of records that need to be codified and summarized to
ease analysis and exposition. Careful structuring of controls and control totals is
essential.
ii. Current Census provision of flows data (flows show the origin and the destination
of Journey to Work trips in aggregated units of geography, typically counties).
These counties must be aggregated into metropolitan statistics areas (MSA) or
Combined areas (CSA) for effective comparison between metropolitan areas by
area size groups.3 Moreover, linkage to changes in past MSA county
complements, may be critical to examining trends effectively. This could include
treatment of central cities and urbanized areas as well at some stage.
iii. Beyond the above two areas of concern it is anticipated that additional areas of
need will arise including but not limited to the use of NHTS extended data sets,
the Consumer Expenditure Surveys, the DHUD Housing Survey, etc.
Task 2 Development of Web Dissemination Platform
It is anticipated that CIA4 will differ from previous versions by being released as a series
of smaller topic reports hosted on the web with accompanying down-loadable tables that
can be customized by the user to import national analyses to their area of interest. The
CIA website will insure that CIA4 will remain a relevant and timely living product.
7. Estimate of Funds Needed
Task 1
Task 2
Data Analysis
Web Dissemination Platform
TOTAL
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$50,000
$75,000
$125,000
See Figure 3-6 in Commuting in America III e.g.
PUMS: Public Use Microdata Sample; PUMA: Public Use Microdata Areas.
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/data_documentation/public_use_microdata_sample/
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See Tables 3-6 and 3-7 in Commuting in America III
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8. Estimate of Time Needed to Complete the Research
This work will be completed within 15 Months
9. Name, Affiliation and Contact Information of Submitter(s)
Deb Miller
Kansas DOT
Chair, Standing Committee on Planning
10. Date of Submittal
April 1, 2011
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