Pilot Testing a GPS Panel for Evaluating TravelSmart

Abstract

TravelSmart initiatives are an important element of the national program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars. In this paper, the authors report on the design of a long-term panel for evaluating the effects of TravelSmart initiatives, and report on a pilot test of the methodology, using a combination of GPS surveys and collection of odometer readings from participating panel members. Two tests are documented, in one of which respondents provided data for one week, using portable GPS devices, while respondents in the second survey carried devices for four weeks. The results of the tests are compared, and conclusions drawn on the ideal period of measurement. We also speculate on the sample size requirements.