Question 1

Who is conducting this survey?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to make transportation-related updates in your area. In order to do this, they need travel information from their residents.
 
TxDOT hired ETC Institute (ETC), a market research firm who focuses heavily on transportation-related research. ETC has a set of mobile apps and online tools it has branded as the "American Travel Survey". These tools, along with our U.S.-based call center interviewers, collect household travel survey data for transportation planning organizations all over the United States.
 
ETC has collected household travel survey data for TxDOT for nearly 20 years.

Question 2

Where are you currently conducting household travel surveys?

Accepted Answer

Currently ETC Institute is conducting household travel surveys on the behalf of TxDOT in the following areas:
 • Rio Grande Valley
 • Grayson County

Question 3

Who is paying my incentive?

Accepted Answer

ETC Institute will pay your incentive. The agencies sponsoring the survey DOES NOT have anything to do with your incentive.
 
Below is the incentive disclaimer for the household survey projects that ETC Institute conducts for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
 
"TxDOT contracts with third-parties to collect data on the travel practices of Texans on TxDOT facilities. These third-party parties may offer rewards to promote the collection of travel survey data. TxDOT is not affiliated with any of these reward programs and is not responsible for the distribution of any rewards."

Question 4

What types of travel do you want to know about?

Accepted Answer

You will be asked to keep track of every type of travel, including walking, bicycling, automobile, ride share, public transit, etc. Any type of travel that takes you from point A to point B.

Question 5

Are you going to sell my data?

Accepted Answer

We don't sell your personal data. ETC Institute gets paid by City, County, and State government agencies to conduct survey research. We also work with public agencies like Departments of Transportation and public transit agencies. They pay us to do research. We ask you questions and present the findings to them. They then make decisions based on the collected data that make your community better because now they know they have the information they need. If you want to read our full privacy policy, look for the black bar at the top of the website. You are never under any obligation to participate in the survey.

Question 6

How do I participate in this household travel survey?

Accepted Answer

We have an in-house programming team that has specifically developed mobile apps and web-based tools for collecting household travel survey data.
 
However, if you prefer a less high-tech option, we've got you covered there as well. We can provide the survey to you via mail or one of our in-house Kansas-based call center employees can give you a call and do the survey right over the phone. 
 
So, to answer your question, the survey is available:
1. Online
2. Over the phone with our call center
3. Via mail (paper surveys with free mailback option)
4. Mobile app

Question 7

How do I receive my incentive?

Accepted Answer

The American Travel Survey team has partnered with XOXODay. What does that mean? Well, XOXODay is one of the largest suppliers of online Visa debit and electronic gift cards in the US. So, 5-10 business days after your household successfully completes the household travel survey you will receive an email that contains a voucher. You click on that voucher and it will take you to xoxoday.com where you can select from around 100 different gift card options including a Visa debit card option. You even have the opportunity to donate your reward amount to charity.

Important: Participation is limited to one completed survey per household. Incentives are limited to one payment per household; duplicate or multiple submissions will not be compensated.
 
Also, we typically email our incentives out once a week. So, you won't need to wait very long once you've completed your survey. If you don't see it in your email inbox check your spam or junk folder. If you ever have any issues, or need us to resend your incentive, just let us know and we will be happy to help.

Question 8

How many people has ETC Institute surveyed?

Accepted Answer

In the last 10 years, ETC Institute has surveyed over 3,200,000 people in more than 1,000 communities. Our research has laid the foundation for billions of dollars in new public investments for communities just like yours. In fact, considering how many people we've surveyed, we've likely already contributed to improvements in your city.

Have Questions?