Washington County Transportation Funding Options Online Survey SUMMARY REPORT

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1 Washington County Transportation Funding Options Online Survey SUMMARY REPORT Davis, Hibbitts, & Midghall, Inc. (DHM Research) conducted an online survey of Washington County residents using panel members of Westside Voices and Opt-In. The objective of the survey was to gauge residents opinions on priorities and funding for transportation maintenance and improvements. Several questions are benchmarked against results from an April 2013 scientific telephone survey of 400 registered voters in Washington County (TSP). Research Design: Between July 16 and July 22, 2013, DHM Research invited members of Westside Voices and Opt In to participate in the online survey. A total of 940 residents participated in the 6- minute survey (Westside Voices N=411; Opt-In N=529). *It s worth noting that the member profiles of both the Westside Voices and Opt-In panels are skewed toward those older in age and with higher educational attainment. In addition, the Westside Voices panel is skewed towards females and Caucasians. However, our other research often shows panel studies with similar results when compared with scientific surveys on key issues like transportation. However, panel and online surveys may find slightly more respondents rating issues on extreme ends of the scale both negative and positive ends than those over the telephone. Half of residents say they are aware of the deteriorating condition of roads in Washington County (Q6). Forty-nine percent (49%) are very or somewhat aware that the average road rating in the Washington County system has declined significantly over the past decade and is projected to decline even further because current gas taxes are not sufficient to pay for all needed maintenance. However, the other half (50%) of residents remain unaware of the situation, with three in 10 (28%) saying they are not at all aware. Residents ages are more likely to be aware of the deteriorating condition of Washington County roads (55%) than those ages (43%), as are men (54%) compared to women (45%). 1

2 Residents place highest priority on maintenance of existing roads and technology to improve traffic flow (Q1-Q5). Asked to rank the importance of five possible transportation improvements on a 0 to 10 scale (0=not at all important; 10=very important) eight in 10 (79%) residents give ratings of eight, nine, or 10 to maintain existing roads and highways, while seven in 10 (70%) give high ratings to use technology to improve traffic flow. The mean scores for both possible transportation improvements are well above the overall average for all combined ratings (7.4) at 8.7 and 8.3, respectively. Results are very similar to findings from the scientific Transportation System Plan (TSP) study conducted in April (In Chart 2 you can see the surveys respective means side by side.) Maintenance and technology were the two most important improvements, and the general ranking order of priorities is very similar for both surveys. Our other research often shows panel studies with similar results when compared with scientific surveys on key issues like transportation. However, panel and online surveys may find slightly more respondents rating issues on extreme ends of the scale both negative and positive ends than those over the telephone. This effect was observed when comparing these two transportation surveys, as the gap between individual mean responses and the overall mean of all combined responses was larger for the panel survey than for the telephone survey (TSP), indicating larger divergences on the extreme ends of the rating scale for the panel survey. The importance of maintaining existing roads is highest among residents age 65+ (89% score of ), Republicans (89%), and those with incomes above $100K (84%). Additionally, residents who say they are aware (very/somewhat) of deteriorating road conditions in Washington County (Q6) are more likely to assign high importance to maintenance of existing roads (83%) compared to those who say they are not aware (75%). The importance of using technology to improve traffic flow is highest among residents ages (75%) and men (74%). 2

3 Comments expressing support for a county vehicle registration fee center on funding for infrastructure maintenance and targeting of those who actually use the roads (Q12). Functioning roads are important to the livability of our county. As a car owner, I am using the roads in Washington County. Therefore I should help pay to maintain them. I do not have any difficulty paying more when licensing my vehicles in order to maintain/improve the road conditions. Our fees are very low in comparison with other states. People who use the roads should help pay for construction and maintenance through county vehicle registration fees. We need to maintain our roads before even more costly refurbishment is needed. It's a smaller hit to the wallet every two years. We need to maintain infrastructure, encourage biking and walking, and implement technologically advanced forms of transportation. A flat fee includes all types of vehicles, covering losses to the county in gas taxes from higher MPG vehicles. Comments expressing concern about a county vehicle registration fee center on perceived government waste and mismanagement of funds, high taxes and inability to account for vehicle weight and mileage (Q13). I do not believe a county vehicle registration fee would be a good idea. We have too many taxes and fees right now! A flat fee doesn't account for the increased wear caused by vehicle weight and mileage driven. The tax would fail to collect from bike and public transit riders who utilize infrastructure too. It affects vehicles without any way to assess how much they are driven, and does NOT affect vehicles from out of the county. Eliminate the use of studded tires altogether! That is what causes most of the road damage. Don't even think about asking for more money until you get rid of the studded tires. I don't believe it's a good idea. We need to make better use of the funds we do have, cut administrative costs, and prioritize projects needing the most attention now. Increased fees are problematic, especially for lower-income people, who need their vehicle to get to work/family, but for whom the fee may be prohibitive. 3

4 Maintaining roads before it costs more for improvements resonates strongest with residents, even over reducing congestion or ensuring fast response time for public safety (Q7-Q11). With additional funding, residents give the highest importance to roads are maintained before it will cost more for improvements (82% eight, nine, or 10 ratings on a 0 to 10 scale; mean score of 8.7). These results match findings from the April 2013 Transportation System Plan (TSP) scientific survey, in which 80% agreed (strongly/somewhat) with the statement, the longer we wait to make transportation improvements, the more it will cost, the highest level of agreement among any of the agree/disagree statements in that survey. Residents ages (86% score of ), college graduates (87%), and those making above $100K (90%) assign the highest importance to maintaining roads before it will cost more for improvements. Notably, this is also the highest priority for residents who are aware of deteriorating road conditions in Washington County. 4

5 In a final open-ended question, residents were asked if they had anything else they would like to share with the county (Q14). Several respondents appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback to their decisionmakers: Thank you for letting me take the surveys. It feels like you actually care about what the public thinks. Thanks for checking with your residents! I enjoy living in this county, and want to support its quality of life. Common concerns included a desire for better alternative transportation options, including bicycle lanes, sidewalks and improved transit service: We need safe bicycle routes to get us from one Washington County suburb to another. Washington County needs to be more proactive on public transportation. We cannot build a sustainable future in this county if transportation priorities are built around the automobile. Sidewalk gaps, especially near MAX stations and bus stops, should be filled in without waiting for development of the adjoining lots. People will avoid using public transportation if they can t walk to and from the stations and stops safely. Others expressed general support for the county: I am proud of our county. I feel it is well run and has good internal controls (please don't let us down on this). It s a great place to live. We want to keep it that way! Love living here. Times are tough; you guys are doing a good job. I don t feel you waste my money. I am happy to see the county taking the problems with our roads seriously. Poor road condition and congestion is seriously impacting the quality of life in Washington County. 5