National Travel Survey

Key facts

Survey coverage: Great Britain
Set Sample size: 5,796
Response Rate: 65%
Type of survey: Face-to-face interview + 1 week diary

Why is the survey carried out?

The National Travel Survey (NTS) is a continuous survey on personal travel. It provides the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) with data to answer a variety of policy and transport research questions. The survey has been running on an ad hoc basis since 1965 and continuously since 1988.

How is the survey done?

The annual sample size is set at 5,796 private addresses in Great Britain (from the year 2000). The addresses are drawn from the Postcode Address File (a comprehensive list of all delivery points - postal addresses - in Great Britain).

A distinctive feature of the NTS is a travel diary which all sampled household members keep for seven consecutive days. The survey switched to computer assisted interviewing (CAI) in 1994 for the main interview. Respondents continue to complete a paper travel diary which the interviewers then input into a specially written program that checks the data.

SSD conducts all processes up to the production of a fully edited data file and the publication of an annual technical report.

Where can the results be found?

Statisticians at DTLR analyse the results and in November 1998 published a report Focus on Personal Travel, 1998 edition, covering three years of the survey from 1995 to 1997. This can be obtained from The Stationery Office, price £29.50.

DTLR also publish free bulletins on topic-based subjects which can be obtained by telephoning +44(0)20 7890 3079.

The National Travel Survey Technical Report which contains details of the sample and how the survey was carried out is published annually, priced £10. To obtain a copy phone +44(0)20 7533 5500

For more information about SSD or the surveys we carry out contact:
SSD Project Support Branch Tel: +44 (0)20 7533 5500 or e-mail: ssdpsb@ons.gov.uk

This page last revised: Monday, 29 October 2001