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New Ways of Collecting Individual Travel Information Evaluation of data collection and recruitment methods

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The overall purpose of the project is to conduct a demonstration study that shows how two data collection methods that have been developed to collect travel survey data perform in the field, and how they perform compared with traditional TSs (i.e., postal questionnaires and/or telephone interviews). The project is also intended to provide a better understanding of the ways in which different recruitment methods of respondents can be used so that future TSs can be more cost effective. The two collection methods tested consist of a mobile app and an online questionnaire with a map to assist the respondents to identify travel destinations. Three recruitment methods were used, i.e., recruitment via random sampling, a web panel, and crowdsourcing. The portion of the random sample that received an online questionnaire was divided into two groups. Half the group was given no incentive, while the other half received a gift card worth SEK 100 after answering the questioner. Those who were recruited via a web panel and were to use the mobile app were rewarded in the form of a gift card worth SEK 100 if, at minimum, they made corrections to trips made on one day registered in the mobile app. A nonresponse analysis was performed of the random sample for both the online questionnaire and the mobile app. Cost estimates for each collection method and recruitment method were also performed, as were uncertainty estimates.
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... CAWI was introduced in mobility surveys in the early 21st century [36] to improve response rates by addressing population groups that are more inclined to use technology [41]. In comparison to paper questionnaires, online questionnaires offer advantages regarding the collection of responses (submitted with the questionnaire, do not have to be manually entered into a database), the accessibility of addresses (maps can be used to indicate locations directly), and implausibility prevention by logistics implemented in the questionnaire [42]. Moreover, based on earlier answers, only relevant questions can be shown to the participants, thus making the questionnaire easier to use [42]. ...
... In comparison to paper questionnaires, online questionnaires offer advantages regarding the collection of responses (submitted with the questionnaire, do not have to be manually entered into a database), the accessibility of addresses (maps can be used to indicate locations directly), and implausibility prevention by logistics implemented in the questionnaire [42]. Moreover, based on earlier answers, only relevant questions can be shown to the participants, thus making the questionnaire easier to use [42]. Additionally, providing answers via common web browsers and smartphones can be helpful regarding accessibility, e.g., for people with impaired vision. ...
... Within the last decade, mobility research has evolved with a new, automated way of accessing travel information using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements [43]. With the rise of smartphone use, apps have been used to retrieve mobility data and to generate travel diaries by combining various sensor data (e.g., location and acceleration) [36,42]. Apart from correction by the user, some of the apps offer the implementation of questionnaires that collect information about the respondent's attitude towards certain aspects of mobility. ...
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... For one participant (P9), however, two full months of data was lost due to technical problems with the app, and this data was not replaced. For a more detailed description and analysis of the TravelVU app as a travel logging method, see for example Eriksson et al. [14]. ...
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  • A Allström
  • G Gidofalvi
  • I Kristoffersson
  • A C Prelipcean
  • C Rydergren
  • Y Susilo
  • J Widell
Allström, A., Gidofalvi, G., Kristoffersson, I., Prelipcean, A.C., Rydergren, C., Susilo, Y. & Widell, J. (2016). Experiences from smartphone based travel data collection -System development and evaluation. Final report from the SPOT project. Version 1.0.