Massachusetts has become known in recent years for congested roads and public transit woes but both problems are in the public policy spotlight and continue to receive attention from elected officials.
BOSTON (SHNS) – As Gov. Maura Healey’s administration explores potential new transportation revenues, it has also launched a statewide travel study that it is billing as “the first comprehensive statewide data collection project in over 10 years.”
Massachusetts has become known in recent years for congested roads and public transit woes but both problems are in the public policy spotlight and continue to receive attention from elected officials.
Households across Massachusetts will be randomly selected to participate in the study. If selected, residents will then have a chance to “share information about their travel behavior and help inform the future of transportation planning and service delivery.”
The results will inform state capital investment, service delivery, and transportation planning decisions, the state transportation department said Tuesday.
“If chosen, household members will be able to complete a short travel diary and questionnaire that asks about various trip purposes, and travel modes taken. Once complete, every participating household member will receive a gift card for use at select retailers,” MassDOT said.
In January, Healey signed an executive order creating a Transportation Funding Task Force to examine the state’s transportation system and make recommendations for a “long-term, sustainable transportation finance plan that can support safely and reliably support road, rail and transit systems throughout our state.”
The task force is chaired by Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt and must file its recommendations by Dec. 31.