Transportation

Regional Travel Survey

The TPB’s once-in-a-decade Regional Travel Survey (RTS) helps paint a detailed picture of the daily travel patterns of people who call this region home. The survey, which has been conducted approximately every ten years since 1968, collects demographic and travel information from a randomly-selected representative sample of households in the region and adjacent areas. It is the primary source of observed data used to estimate, calibrate, and validate the regional travel demand model, which is used for the travel forecasting and air quality conformity analysis of the region's long-range transportation plan. The survey data are also used to analyze travel trends and for other key program activities. 

The initial results of the 2017/2018 RTS were made available in a series of presentations, TPB staff have prepared tabulations that provide insights on travel patterns in the region. The Regional Transportation Data Clearinghouse (RTDC) RTS Tabulations are an online resource for the RTS data to be used by practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders. In addition, staff conducted in-depth analysis and developed a series of responses to thought-provoking questions offered by regional stakeholders.

Plans are currently underway for the 2026 RTS, which will be the region’s first post-pandemic survey.  More information about this survey can be found here.

To request a copy of the 2017/2018 RTS data files please complete the data request form.

News & Multimedia

  • Silver_Spring_BeyondDC_Flickr_1280
    News

    Gen3 Model: A new lens for understanding travel

    September 25, 2026

    The TPB recently released a new travel demand forecasting model, the Gen3 model, that will make it easier for planners across our region to understand how and...

  • DC_travel_taxi_Pierre_Gaunaurd_1280_960
    News

    TPB's Regional Travel Survey launches in spring 2026

    March 11, 2026

    The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) will conduct its comprehensive household travel survey, the Regional Travel Survey (RTS) in...

  • RegTravelSurvey_Logo-01_(002)
    News

    Regional Travel Survey (RTS) In-Depth Analysis

    September 28, 2021

    The TPB’s household travel survey, the Regional Travel Survey (RTS), collected detailed demographic and travel behavior information from about 16,000 randomly...

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