The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), along with other state agencies, is conducting a survey of California residents’ travel behavior. The California Household Travel survey will help transportation planners ensure improved access to jobs, air quality, and quality of life in each region of the state.

“We need to look ahead to a time when California will add millions of new residents and vehicles to our state transportation system,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Based on this research, we can make decisions that will lead to a better place to call home.”

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The comprehensive survey is a partnership among Caltrans, the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, and local transportation planning agencies and is intended to inform decision-makers on ways to improve the travel options available to Californians.

Efforts are already underway to contact a random sample of households to participate, and after an initial household interview, respondents receive diaries and are asked trip-related questions including where and when they travel and how they get to and from their destinations. Approximately 57,000 households around the state are expected to complete the survey. In addition, a small sample of households who choose to participate will be provided with a global positioning systems (GPS) or on-board diagnostic devices to record their vehicle movements.

All Californians who are contacted are urged to participate. The survey will continue through February 2013.

For additional information, visit http://www.californiatravelsurvey.com.