The Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has launched the 2008 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS).  This survey has been conducted since1969 by the FHWA and it is the nation’s official inventory of daily travel. The NHTS is has been the nation’s flagship survey to quantify the travel behavior of the American public. The survey has provided the nation with authoritative data on travel by all modes of transportation, for all travel purposes, and all travel distances.  The NHTS series provide vital data on American passenger travel and can be used to examine the relationship among social and demographic change, land development patterns, and transportation planning. The series is an essential tool for understanding travel behavior and transportation planning issues.

An FAQ for participants of the 2008 NHTS is available at FHWA.

The Quick Start Guide has the information you need to get started or reacquainted with the NHTS/NPTS. The Guide contains a short introduction and links to published data and training materials.

Use the Online Analysis Tool to build customized data tabulations quickly and easily.

The FHWA's NHTS "Community of Exchange " provides a forum where an open exchange of information and knowledge of transportation issues can take place. Users are encouraged to share their "best practices" as well as news related to the NHTS. Participation is open to everyone.

How can I use NHTS data?

Typical uses of NHTS data

States and MPOs have the unique opportunity to purchase samples of the household travel survey being conducted in 2008. These additional samples, along with random national samples collected in your area, will be compiled into a cleaned geocoded database for ready application to local planning and forecasting. Trips of ALL lengths, for ALL purposes, and for ALL modes will be collected. To join the Add-On program, please click here.

Deliverables:

• Edited, weighted data
• O-D geocodes for all trip purposes and modes
• Odometer readings
• Transit, walk, bike trips
• Documentation and User’s Guide
• Web-based retrieval system

Benefits:

• No contracting or oversight hassles.
• Economies of scale.
• Contractors coordinated centrally
• SP&R and PL funds can be used
• High data quality/low risk
• Consistent Local and National data.
• Data on demand

Some applications by our previous Add-Ons and others:

• Inputs to Travel Demand Forecasting – The Wisconsin Experience
• Air Quality Analysis – The New York Experience
• Auto availability Modeling – The Baltimore Case Study
• Trip Chaining
• Use of NPTS in a Small MPO Context
• Special Studies – Some Ideas