Typically in an evaluation study, several types of data might be required. They can be matched up to the research subject as follows:
Information | Data |
Current mobility options | Trip data from current journeys (ie frequency of trips, mode of travel, journey purpose etc.) |
| Car availability |
| Access to public transport |
Profile the population of potential rail users | Demographic data (age, gender) |
| Home location |
| Occupation |
| Socio-economic data |
| Modal split (the proportion of people using different modes of transport in the study area) |
Attitudes towards mobility | Preferences towards different travel modes |
| Attitudinal data (attitudes towards certain aspects of rail travel, and alternatives) |
Understanding where respondents are on the behavioural change scale | Current stage of behaviour change to new mobility option (for example are they thinking about trying rail travel? Or have they tried rail travel and currently deciding whether to continue? |
Understanding barriers to travel behavioural change | Perceived barriers to rail travel (such as not being able to carry luggage and equipment to the station) |
| Actual barriers to rail travel (such as where the station is in relation to home) |
An important consideration when selecting a type of data to collect is the outputs and outlets for the findings of the evaluation. Be trustworthy, and the right choice of data will help.