11

Drive Less. Save More.in

Bend/Eugene/Medford

January 2009

2222

Survey Methodology

Sample– 309 interviews among a representative sample

of adult residents in the Bend, Eugene/ Springfield and Medford zip code areas

Method– Telephone interviews conducted January 26-28, 2009

Sampling error– Plus or minus 6% at the 95% confidence level

33

Major Issue Concerns: Jobs

4%

2%

2%

42%

2%

2%

2%

2%

3%

24%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

J obs/ unemployment

The economy

Lack of police/ public safety

Drugs

Traffic and congestion

Housing foreclosures

Growth and development/ too much

Affordable housing

Crime

Education/ public schools

“What, in your opinion is the most important problem facing people in your area?” (Q1)

44

Major Issue Concern: Region

  All BendEugene/

Springfield Medford

Jobs/unemployment 42% 47% 33% 54%

The economy 24% 25% 27% 18%

Lack of police/public safety 4% -- 8%   --

Drugs 3% --  3% 4%

Traffic and congestion 2% --  3% 3%

Housing foreclosures 2% 2% 2% 2%

Growth and development/too much 2% 4% 2% -- 

Affordable housing 2% 8% --  1%

Crime 2% --  3% -- 

Education/public schools 2% 1% 2% 2%

55

“How would you rate the transportation system in your area? By that I mean roads, public transportation, sidewalks, bike ways and transportation services in general.” (Q2)

Rating the Local Transportation System

8%

33% 32%

13%10%

5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Excellent Good Average Belowaverage

Poor Don’tknow

66

Rating the Local Transportation System: Region

24%

30%

40%

54%

31%

12%

31%34%

29%

64%

22%

10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Bend Eugene/ Springfield Medford Portland

Excellent/ goodAverageBelow average/ poor

77

Leading Transportation Problem: Congestion

9%

3%

34%

11%

12%

6%

6%

7%

11%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Congestion

Lack of bus service

Road construction

Lack of certainty about how long it will take to getthere by car

Lack of bike ways

Lack of certainty about how long it will take to getthere by bus

Lack of sidewalks

Other

Don’t know

“Thinking now from a personal standpoint, which one of the following is the biggest problem for you when getting from one place to another in your area?” (Q3)

88

Leading Transportation Problem: Region

  All BendEugene/

Springfield Medford

Congestion 34% 35% 31% 33%

Lack of bus service 11% 15% 9% 10%

Road construction 9% 3% 8% 18%

Lack of certainty about how long it will take to get there by car 7% 9% 7% 8%

Lack of bike ways 6% 8% 5% 5%

Lack of certainty about how long it will take to get there by bus 6% 4% 9% 4%

Lack of sidewalks 3% 5% 3% 3%

Other 12% 14% 11% 14%

Don’t know 11% 7% 17% 5%

99

Solving Transportation Problems

14%

6%

3%

22%

9%

4%

7%

8%

9%

18%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Widen or improve existing roads and highways

More or different bus routes

More people riding with others in carpools orvanpools

More people using their cars less often

More bike lanes

More new roads

More people driving during non-rush hours

More sidewalks and crosswalk signals

Other

Don’t know

“Which one of the following do you believe would be most helpful in addressing the transportation problem you are most concerned about?” (Q4)

1010

Solving Transportation Problems: Key Subgroups - 1

-------Region-------

  All BendEugene/

Springfield Medford

Widen or improve existing roads and highways 22% 24% 23% 20%

More or different bus routes 18% 25% 15% 20%

More people riding with others in carpools or vanpools 14% 12% 14% 15%

More people using their cars less often 9% 11% 8% 7%

More bike lanes 8% 11% 6% 8%

More new roads 7% 4% 7% 9%

More people driving during non-rush hours 6% 2% 7% 7%

More sidewalks and crosswalk signals 4% 4% 4% 4%

Other 9% 6% 10% 9%

Don’t know 3% 3% 5% 4%

1111

Solving Transportation Problems: Key Subgroups - 2

--Marital status-- --Local transportation ratings--

  All Single MarriedExcellent/

good Average

Below average/

poor

Widen or improve existing roads and highways 22% 14% 28% 23% 25% 19%

More or different bus routes 18% 21% 16% 16% 17% 29%

More people riding with others in carpools or vanpools 14% 13% 14% 14% 17% 9%

More people using their cars less often 9% 12% 7% 15% 6% 5%

More bike lanes 8% 10% 6% 5% 9% 12%

More new roads 7% 6% 8% 4% 10% 8%

More people driving during non-rush hours 6% 5% 7% 10% 3% 3%

More sidewalks and crosswalk signals 4% 5% 3% 4% 5% 2%

Other 9% 10% 8% 9% 4% 10%

Don’t know 3% 5% 3% 2% 4% 3%

1212

“How tolerable is traffic congestion along the roads you travel in your community during rush hours, very tolerable, somewhat tolerable, somewhat intolerable, or not tolerable at all?” (Q5)

Rush Hour Traffic Congestion

63%

34%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Very/ somewhat tolerable Somewhat intolerable/ nottolerable at all

1313

Rush Hour Traffic Congestion: Key Subgroups

 Very/somewhat

tolerable

Somewhat intolerable/not tolerable at all

Net very/somewhat tolerable

All 63% 34% +29%

Region      

Bend 72% 26% +46%

Eugene/Springfield 62% 35% +27%

Medford 61% 38% +23%

Age      

18-34 52% 45% +7%

35-64 70% 27% +43%

65+ 45% 51% -6%

Local transportation rating      

Excellent/good 75% 24% +51%

Average 59% 41% +18%

Below average/poor 52% 45% +7%

1414

“Over the past six months, have you thought about taking fewer single person car trips?” (Q6)

Yes, have thought about

it, 59%

No, have not thought about

it, 38%

Don't know, 2%

Reducing Single Person Car Trips?

1515

Reducing Single Person Car Trips: Region

67%

31%

60%

38%

54%

43%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Bend Eugene/ Springfield Medford

Yes, have thought about it

No, have not thought about it/ don't know

1616

Reasons for Taking Fewer Single Person Car Trips?

7%

8%

7%

6%

5%

2%

2%

2%

47%

2%

3%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Gas prices/ save money/ save money on gas

Save/ conserve gas

Drive as little as possible/ reduce number of trips

Better air quality/ environment/ less pollution

Considered, but not practical

Carpool/ have carpooled/ like to drive with others

Walk/ would rather walk

Pre-plan/ combine trips

Use my bike

Less congestion/ fewer cars on road

Can't carpool, need car for work

IF YES, THOUGHT ABOUT TAKING FEWER TRIPS IN Q6: “Why do you say that?” (Q7, N=183)

1717

Reasons for Not Taking Fewer Single Person Car Trips?

9%

2%

2%

2%

11%

7%

7%

6%

5%4%

3%

3%

13%

3%

6%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20%

Don't drive/ use car much

Drive to work/ need car for work

Only drive when necessary/ already reduce trips

No one to carpool/ ride with

Currently carpool

People have free will

Don't drive/ no car/ rely on others for rides

Inconvenience/ hassle

Saving gas/ saving gas money

Getting too old to travel alone

Have to/ want to drive alone

Disabled/ do not drive anymore

Too time consuming

Close to work/ destination

Ride my bike

IF NO IN Q6: “Why do you say that?” (Q8, N=119)

1818

“In your opinion, how important is it for people to reduce the number of single person car trips they take, very important, fairly important, not too important or not important at all?” (Q9)

Most Believe It is Important to Reduce Single Person Car Trips

48%

32%

80%

8% 8% 4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Very important Fairly important Total very/ fairlyimportant

Not tooimportant

Not importantat all

Don’t know

1919

Reducing Single Person Car Trips: Key Subgroups (% Very Important)

  % Very important

All 48%

Region  

Bend 49%

Eugene/Springfield 51%

Medford 38%

Gender  

Men 42%

Women 54%

Education

12 years or less 45%

13-15 years 38%

16 years 52%

17 years or more 55%

Length of residence

Less than 20 years 53%

20 years or more 42%

2020

Major Benefit of Reducing Single Person Car Trips

16%

2%

1%

23%

1%

1%

1%

4%

4%

10%

17%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Save money/ save money on gas/ lower gas prices

Save/ conserve gas/ reduce dependence on fossil fuels

Less pollution/ cleaner air/ help environment/ ecology

Less congestion/ fewer cars on road

Better use of time

Exercise more/ walking/ biking

Reduces car trips as a whole

Decrease wear and tear of vehicles

Improved safety/ fewer accidents

Conserve energy

Change of lifestyle

“What, in your opinion, is the major benefit to you personally of reducing the number of single person car trips you take?” (Q10)

2121

Major Benefit of Reducing Single Person Car Trips: Key Subgroups

-------Region------- -----Gender/age-----

  All BendEugene/

Springfield MedfordMen 18-54

Men 55+

Women 18-54

Women 55+

Save money/save money on gas/lower gas prices 23% 31% 19% 24% 27% 27% 15% 23%

Save/conserve gas/reduce dependence on fossil fuels 17% 19% 19% 14% 17% 6% 29% 15%

Less pollution/cleaner air/help environment/ecology 16% 15% 16% 18% 16% 6% 23% 17%

Less congestion/fewer cars on road 10% 9% 9% 11% 10% 16% 8% 6%

Better use of time 4% 4% 4% 4% 5% 6% 3% 2%

Exercise more/walking/biking 4% 4% 4% 2% 5% 5% 2% 3%

Reduces car trips as a whole 2% 1% 4% 1% 1% 5% 3% 3%

2222

Reducing One Single Car Trip a Week Less Difficult than

Reducing One a Day

27%

70%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Difficult Not difficult

“How difficult would it be for you to take one less single person car trip a week?” (Q11)

42%

54%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Difficult Not difficult

“How difficult would it be for you to take one less single person car trip a day?” (Q12)

2323

Reducing One Single Car Trip:Key Subgroups

(% Not Difficult at All)

 Not difficult at all to reduce

one a week (Q11)Not difficult at all to reduce

one a day (Q12)

All 41% 29%

Age    

18-44 34% 23%

45-64 43% 29%

65+ 47% 43%

Education    

0-12 years 52% 32%

13 years or more 38% 29%

Income    

Less than $35K 50% 32%

$35K or more 36% 27%

2424

Why is It Difficult to Take One Less Car Trip a Day?

6%

5%

3%

34%

2%

2%

3%

3%

5%

5%

6%

23%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

I have to get to work

I only take necessary trips

Don't have anyone to carpool with

School/ take kids to school

The bus stop is far away/ bus not convenient

I have errands to run

I do not want to be restricted

It is not convenient/ not possible

We work in different locations

Walking is not an option

I do not drive

Have to go to the grocery store

IF VERY/FAIRLY DIFFICULT IN Q12: “Why do you say that?” (Q13, N=131)

2525

Combining Errands/Trip Chaining Most Preferred Option to Reduce

Single Car Trips

14%

2%

37%

6%

11%

12%

18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Combining errands or tripchaining to reduce car trips

Carpool with others

Bicycle

Walk

Public transit such as bus

Other

Don’t know

“Which of the following options would you be most likely to choose if you took fewer single person car trips?” (Q14)

2626

Most Preferred Option to Reduce Single Car Trips: Key Subgroups - 1

-----Region----- -----Age-----

  All BendEugene/

Springfield Medford 18-64 65+

Combining errands or trip chaining to reduce car trips 37% 44% 32% 45% 40% 27%

Carpool with others 18% 22% 13% 20% 15% 35%

Bicycle 14% 20% 14% 6% 16% 1%

Walk 12% 8% 13% 10% 12% 11%

Public transit such as bus 11% 4% 17% 10% 10% 15%

2727

Most Preferred Option to Reduce Single Car Trips: Key Subgroups - 2

-----Gender/age----- ---Education---

  AllMen 18-54 Men 55+

Women 18-54

Women 55+

0-12 years

13 years or more

Combining errands or trip chaining to reduce car trips 37% 29% 46% 41% 38% 28% 40%

Carpool with others 18% 17% 13% 12% 26% 30% 15%

Bicycle 14% 22% 10% 12% 8% 12% 14%

Walk 12% 12% 12% 15% 8% 13% 12%

Public transit such as bus 11% 13% 8% 12% 10% 7% 13%

2828

Current Perceptions About the Benefits of Reducing Single Person Car Trips

“Please tell me if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.”

88%

88%

86%

60%

8%

9%

12%

35%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Reducing several single person car trips a weekcan save me money (Q16)

Reducing single person car trips is a way for meto help reduce air pollution (Q15)

Reducing several single person car trips a weekby combining errands is easy. I just have to thinkabout where I need to go and plan accordingly

(Q17)

Reducing several single person car trips a weekgives me more time for doing other things I want

to do (Q18)

Agree

Disagree

2929

Financing Transportation Improvement Projects

15%

8%

28%

7%

21%

5%

17%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

I ncreasing the gas tax

I ncreasing vehicle registration fees

Creating a mileage tax, which would charge drivers forthe number of miles they drive

Creating tolls for roads and/ or bridges

Unwilling to support additional funding

Other

Don’t know

“In light of the limited public funding available for transportation improvement projects, which one of the following funding options would you be most supportive of to address transportation needs in

your area?” (Q19)

3030

Financing Transportation Improvement Projects:

Key Subgroups - 1

-----Region-----

  All BendEugene/

Springfield Medford

Increasing the gas tax 28% 24% 29% 28%

Increasing vehicle registration fees 17% 21% 13% 16%

Creating a mileage tax, which would charge drivers for the number of miles they drive 15% 13% 18% 10%

Creating tolls for roads and/or bridges 5% 6% 5% 5%

Unwilling to support additional funding 21% 21% 19% 28%

3131

Financing Transportation Improvement Projects:

Key Subgroups - 2

---Age--- -----Education-----

  All 18-34 35+0-12 years

13-15 years

16 years

17 years or

more

Increasing the gas tax 28% 18% 30% 13% 28% 33% 34%

Increasing vehicle registration fees 17% 20% 16% 17% 22% 15% 12%

Creating a mileage tax, which would charge drivers for the number of miles they drive 15% 15% 15% 11% 8% 18% 22%

Creating tolls for roads and/or bridges 5% 14% 3% 7% 6% 4% 3%

Unwilling to support additional funding 21% 17% 21% 30% 20% 20% 11%

3232

“Please tell me which of the following you think will best address your area’s transportation needs. Build more roads and expand public transportation services to meet growing demand on

our transportation system. Decrease the demand on our transportation system by encouraging the public to reduce

car trips.” (Q20)

Build Roads/Expand Transit or Decrease Demand?

37%

10%

50%

0%

20%

40%

60%

Build more roads andexpand transportation

services

Don’t know Decrease demand byencouraging the public to

reduce car trips

3333

Most Likely to Favor Decreasing Demand

College graduates $75K or more annual household income Lived in the area for less than 20 years Bend area residents

3434

Summary & Highlights – 1: Transportation Overview

Congestion is the leading transportation related concern in the Bend, Eugene and Medford areas today– However, 63% say traffic during rush hour is

tolerable, while 34% say it is intolerable

In the Eugene/Springfield and Medford areas, road improvements are viewed as more helpful than transit improvements in addressing transportation problems. In the Bend area, roads and transit improvements are viewed as equally helpful

3535

Summary & Highlights – 2:Reducing Single Person Car Trips

Approximately six-in-ten residents of all three areas have considered taking fewer single person car trips in the past six months, and fully eight-in-ten believe it is important to take fewer trips– Gas prices is the leading reason respondents have considered

fewer trips– Gas prices, followed by desire to reduce dependence on fossil

fuels and reduce pollution are perceived to be the leading global benefits of reducing single person car trips

– Fully 70% of respondents say it would not be difficult for them to take one fewer single person car trip a week

– Combining errands/trip chaining is the most likely alternative to single person car trips