The Texas Transportation Poll
Statewide Survey
Traffic congestion in Texas continues to worsen each year, but that’s not changing how the vast majority of Texans feel about their cars and trucks. This and a variety of other insights come from the Texas Transportation Poll, which examines the travel behaviors and opinions of registered voters in Texas. The study was conducted in May and June by the Transportation Policy Research Center of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
The poll findings say a lot about what Texans think about transportation solutions, funding, and more.
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Texans really depend on
their cars and trucks.
9 of 10
own or lease a personal vehicle.
To make a non-recreational trip during during the last 30 days
prior to the survey,
1/3
reported walking
1/4
used public transit
1 in 10
used a bicycle
They’re feeling the squeeze of traffic gridlock and higher gas prices.
3/4 of Texans
say they’re feeling the pain of traffic congestion where they live.
A majority view congestion as a byproduct of the
state’s growing population
and expanding economy.
Because of higher fuel prices,
3 out of 5
have tried to drive less; the younger the respondent, the more likely he or she was to limit driving due to high fuel prices.
They lack a general understanding of how transportation is funded.
Fewer than 1%
of respondents know the correct amount of the motor fuels tax.
Nearly
50%
incorrectly think that the state’s motor fuels tax is a sales tax (a percentage based on the overall price of a gallon),
while it is actually a flat tax that does not change,
regardless of the price.
They support spending more on solutions,
but they don’t agree on just how to do that.
$ $ $
Nearly 2/3
of respondents said they support
increased funding for transportation statewide,
and the strongest support came from those with higher levels of education and those who use transportation options other than a personal auto.
A majority also said they support increased
funding for public transportation;
this was particularly true for those with higher levels of education and higher incomes.
Of the options they were offered, respondents were most supportive of
dedicating the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation needs;
they were least supportive of
raising the vehicle registration fee from $65 to $115.
From a list of 15 different ways to improve transportation in the state,
&
better traffic signal timing
clearing accidents more quickly
were the most popular ideas ...
From that same list of 15 different ways to improve transportation in the state,
building more toll roads
was the least popular idea.
The survey’s total sample size was
more than 5,000
The margin of error was
+/- 1.5%
TTI will repeat the survey every 2 years to
measure possible changes in the travel choices
and attitudes of registered voters in Texas.
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