Transportation Council Releases Driver Survey Results

Transportation Council Releases Driver Survey Results

ALBANY, NY January 21, 2025 – To support the Transportation Council’s transportation demand management (TDM) and planning programs, a survey of 800 Capital Region residents was undertaken in 2024 to gain insight as to their travel choices. Demographic data shows that over 70% of the region’s residents drive a single occupant vehicle (SOV) alone on a regular basis. The Driver Mode Shift Survey intended to identify factors that impact SOV driver travel decisions, common traits of SOV drivers who are most likely to shift their travel behaviors, and what factors are most likely to motivate those SOV drivers to make other travel choices, such as walking, biking, transit, carpooling, vanpooling, or skipping the trip entirely by telecommuting, trip chaining, or receiving services online (telemedicine).

Survey results showed that Capital Region residents are drivers, and they are driving a lot. A majority (56%) report driving 5-7 days a week and are driving, either alone or with others, for most of their trips: for commuting, shopping, recreation, daycare, worship, and health care. On the other hand, a majority of residents are utilizing delivery services for food and packages, but very few understand the impacts of these services on traffic and the environment.

A majority (61%) of workers and students say that, to the best of their knowledge, their employer/school does not offer commuter benefits to encourage alternative modes of transportation. Although 42% of drivers indicated they are not interested in changing their behavior, the majority of drivers are more open to mode shift, either because they are attracted to transit or active modes or because they are frustrated with challenges associated with driving. Of the market segments identified, a group labeled “Active Aspirers” (12%), is the most promising target for mode shift and transportation demand management programs. This group does not enjoy driving as much as people in other groups and would gladly cut down their car, truck, or van use if they could.

Learn more about the survey and the results in the final report, Stuck in Drive: Mode Shift in the Capital Region.