ICAR Research Data Repository for Knowledge Management

From the documentation: "The National Personal Transportation Study (NPTS) compiles national data on the nature and characteristics of travel in the United States. It addresses a broad range of travel in the United States, providing data on all personal trips by all purposes and all modes of transportation. When the 1983 study is used in conjunction with previous NPTS studies, it is possible to track, over time, both travel and the characteristics that contribute to travel for the entire nation. NPTS data may be used to describe current travel patterns and, given projects of demographic change, it is a valuable trend analysis tool to forecast future travel demand.

"Information from a sample was collected monthly, between February 1983 and January 1984 about all trips taken during a designated 24-hour period (travel day). Additional detail was collected about trips of 75 miles or further (one-way) that were taken during the preceding 14-day period (travel period) including the 24-hour travel day. The information consists of trips and travel by purpose, mode, trip length, day-of-week, time-of-day, vehicle used, and vehicle occupancy. Data about long trips include the date on which the trip started and ended."

Each person over the age of 14 was asked to report all trips (excluding bicycling and walking trips) they (including household members between the ages of 5 and 13 years) had taken during the designated 24 hour "travel day", as well as trips of 75 miles and longer (one-way distance from home to farthest point on the trip) taken during the 14-day "travel period" ending on the "travel day".