DATELINE - Design and Application of a Travel Survey for European Long-distance Trips Based on an International Network of Expertise
Overview
Background & policy context:
Following a decade of discussions about the possibilities of conducting a coordinated European long-distance travel survey, DATELINE commenced in April 2000. Having developed the appropriate methodology agreed by all 15 EU Member States, and having completed the survey design and questionnaire, the project has now concluded its most significant stage, namely the empirical phase of data collection - the fieldwork.
The DATELINE project presents concepts, methods and potential for implementing a homogenous European travel survey of long-distance mobility in all the member States of the European Union, based upon an international network of expertise. This is in response to the need for passenger transport statistics at the European level, for which no high quality database is currently available.
Objectives:
The project's four specific objectives have been to:
- Develop a survey design for long-distance passenger travel to be applied in all Member States addressing the needs of the respondent and implement the state-of-the-art in travel behaviour surveys;
- Implement these surveys in all Member States;
- Create a database providing answers to planning related issues and provide input for analysis; and
- Integrate this database in both a national context and in the Eurostat statistical programme.
Methodology:
During the first nine months of the project, the concepts, overall methodology and sampling methodology were developed and a survey network has been established in all EU countries. The following survey lasted one year, so that all seasons have been covered.
Database building has been concurrent with data collection and data analysis commenced during the autumn of 2002.
The logistical processes and requirements that were necessary in order to prepare the Europe-wide survey were considerable. Questionnaires had to be printed and Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) systems were programmed. In addition, each country agreed to use its own customised announcement letter, bearing the official signature and logo of its national Ministry of Transport or statistical office.
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