U-PASS Reports

1996-97 U-PASS Results

Mode Choice

Since 1980, the University has periodically conducted mode choice surveys to track changes in faculty, staff and student commute behavior. Prior to the U-PASS program, these surveys were conducted during autumn quarter using a mail-out questionnaire. Since the start of the U-PASS program, the University and Metro have worked together to conduct a U-PASS telephone survey during winter quarter (1992 and 1994). In addition, the state Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law requires that the University survey its employees every other year starting in 1994. A single survey was conducted in the fall of 1996 to both monitor mode choice changes and fulfill CTR requirements.

The findings from the 1996 survey are similar to those from previous years: the most significant changes in commute mode choice occurred in the categories of driving alone and bus riders. Please note that the wording of the mode choice question was different in 1989 and 1996: in 1989 respondents were asked about their mode choice in a typical week whereas the 1996 survey question asked respondents about their actual commute modes in the week previous to the survey.

All sectors of the campus community have shared in the shift from SOV use to transit use. Among students, SOV use has decreased from 25 percent to just 15 percent and transit use has increased from 21 percent to 34 percent. Faculty and staff also have participated in the shift away from SOV use to transit use.

Campus Mode Choice† Faculty Staff Students Mode 19891 19962 1989 1996 1989 1996 Drive Alone 60% 57% 44% 40% 25% 15% Transit 11% 19% 25% 32% 21% 34% Carpool/Vanpool 11% 12% 15% 16% 9% 11% Bicycle 9% 8% 6% 6% 10% 9% Walk 7% 3% 6% 5% 31% 30% Other 2% 1% 4% 1% 4% 1% †Mode choice percentages are based on the number of trips taken by an individual over a one week period. Percentages cannot be applied directly to the population. 1 1989 Mail-Out Transportation Survey, mode question based on a typical commute week. 2 1996 U-PASS Telephone Survey, mode question based on previous commute week.