Projects

How do Marylanders travel on a daily basis?

Using innovative tools to learn how Maryland residents travel

Challenge

Maryland residents’ travel patterns have changed over the past decade. The causes of those changes are quickly evolving due to the rise of navigation apps, on-demand ride-hailing services, telecommuting, and more. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) need to understand how these technologies have changed residents’ travel behaviors. The Maryland Household Travel Survey (MHTS) is key to discovering this information.

Capturing travel behaviors from 7,500 households across Maryland in an age of declining response rates and increasing web-based surveys requires innovative survey tools. That’s why MDOT turned to Westat to conduct the MHTS.

Solution

Westat’s survey support system includes real-time geocoding, an interactive smartphone app, a multimodal reminder system, and machine learning-enhanced survey questions.

Westat provides information through

  • Real-time reports
  • On-demand data access
  • Data across different demographics and geographies

Results

Information on how, when, where, and why people travel allows modelers to project current challenges and future transportation needs. The data will inform future major infrastructure investments.

Insights

Deep Dive with Our Experts

view all insights
  • Perspective

    Diverse Journeys: Westat Women in Leadership

    March 2024

    In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the remarkable women leaders at Westat. Their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and insights have helped…

  • Perspective

    Spotlight on Maternal Mental Health

    March 2024

    Mental health conditions are the most common complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies mental health…

  • Perspective

    Access to Birthing-Friendly Facilities for Maternal Care

    February 2024

    Preventable maternal mortality in the U.S. has grown considerably and spurred the federal government into action, most noticeably with the development of the White House…

Projects

Keep Reading

view all projects

How can we help?

We welcome messages from job seekers, collaborators, and potential clients and partners.

Get in Contact

Want to work with us?

You’ll be in great company.

Explore Careers
Back to Top