November 25, 2025
DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force held a virtual meeting focused on how household travel surveys inform regional transportation planning and forecasting.
On October 28, 2025, DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force (PPTF) held a virtual meeting focused on how household travel surveys inform regional transportation planning and forecasting. The meeting featured presentations from Matt Gates, Associate Director of Travel Trends and Forecasts at DVRPC; Nick Jones, Vice President of Data Management at the ETC Institute; and David Heller, Program Manager, Regional Planning and Systems Performance, at the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO).
Matt Gates opened the session with an overview of DVRPC’s upcoming Household Travel Survey, a comprehensive effort conducted approximately every 10 to 12 years in accordance with federal guidance. The last survey, completed between 2012 and 2013, gathered data from 9,500 households across the region. The next round, anticipated to collect data from 10,000 to 12,000 households, will provide updated insights into how residents travel throughout Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.
Gates explained that the survey will collect data on household demographics, vehicles, trips, and travel behavior to inform DVRPC’s travel demand models, which estimate future traffic volumes, transit ridership, and regional travel patterns. This information supports long-range planning and project selection. The survey will also gather details on vehicle availability, e-bike and carshare memberships, online delivery habits, commuting frequency, and use of advanced vehicle technologies. Respondents can participate via a mobile app or other methods, ensuring accessibility, though the survey will not capture data on visitors or rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.
Nick Jones from the ETC Institute discussed his organization’s role in building the data collection tools and recruiting a representative sample of households across the study area. He explained how ETC ensures that survey participants reflect the region’s diversity in geography, income, and travel characteristics. Jones also shared details about survey dashboards, participation logistics, and success measures for ensuring accurate and equitable data collection.
David Heller of SJTPO provided a perspective on how both agencies will use the survey results to inform regional planning decisions. He outlined the timeline for data collection and analysis, and how the findings will guide future studies and transportation investments in South Jersey and Greater Philadelphia.
Gates concluded the meeting with a look at post-COVID travel trends, highlighting shifts in commuting patterns, transit ridership, household vehicle ownership, and remote work rates. He also shared data on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), noting that while driving activity has rebounded, travel behavior has not returned to pre-pandemic conditions.
Following the panel discussion, audience members participated in a Q&A session. The session addressed topics including the inclusion of e-bikes and micromobility in the survey, participant support through a call center, and how demographic data informs analysis of travel patterns. Panelists explained the use of random sampling to ensure representation, outreach to raise awareness, and how new app-based tools improve accessibility. They also discussed post-COVID travel and congestion trends, as well as how DVRPC incorporates freight data to better understand infrastructure impacts.
The Public Participation Task Force would like to thank our presenters for participating in this community-centered discussion. The recording of this meeting and presentation materials are available on the PPTF webpage.
If you are interested in becoming a PPTF member, submit an application by December 21, 2025. For questions, email Lillian Drake at ldrake@dvrpc.org.