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

  • RegTravelSurvey_Logo-01_(002)
    News

    A few initial results from the TPB's once-a-decade Regional Travel Survey

    November 20, 2019

    TPB staff have reached a milestone by completing data collection for the once-in-a-decade Regional Travel Survey. The survey gathered detailed demographic and...

  • Ahead_Virginia_by_Christopher_Connell_cropped_600
    News

    Once-in-a-decade Regional Travel Survey kicks off

    October 10, 2017

    By this time next year, approximately 15,000 randomly selected households across the National Capital Region and neighboring jurisdictions will have...

  • News

    Significant Increase in Transit Commuting Over Last Decade

    May 15, 2013

    Transportation Planning Board analysis also shows changes in driving, carpooling, biking, walking, and working from home in the metropolitan Washington region.

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