Hot Topics in Transit Research

Making wavesThe pros and cons of creating online research panels for transitWhat is an online research panel? An online research panel is a community of pre-screened respondents who have expressed a willingness to undertake ongoing market research.

Why use a research panel?Super Bowl Champions!Go Seahawks!Your football team will win the Super Bowl!

Why use a research panel if you dont have a football team?

They are flexibleYou can collect survey results quickly and cheaplyThey show your agency is listening

LimitationsBuilding and maintaining a panel can be costlyNot necessarily quantitative resultsCan attract panel members with agendas

The budgetDevelopment: $37,000Passive recruitment: $3,500Active recruitment:$20,000Monthly maintenance: $8,500

On board postersSocial mediaRider materials

Passive recruitingActive recruiting

We approached riders at stops, stations and on-board to join the panel

IncentivesWe offered two airline tickets as an incentive to sign up for Sound Waves

(Yes, our lawyers approved it.)

Where we are todayThe panel currently has 1,450 members The panel includes large groups representing nearly all bus routes and rail.

Obligatory charts & graphs(You are not obligated to pay attention)Demographics

Modes of transit

Where the panelist come from

How did they hear about the panel?

End of obligatory charts & graphs(You can now pay attention again)Panel web site: Soundwavespanel.org

SoundOff

SoundOffs are one-question surveys offered every other week to help keep the panel engaged.Survey topics

Rider attitudes.Customer satisfaction.Message developmentAwareness of transit issuesInput on planningEvaluation of agency actions

Panel research goalsEngage panel members with regular surveys and/or SoundOffs every couple of weeks.Focus on content which provides recommendations that can be acted on.Make members feel that they are helping make important service decisions that improve their rider experience

Questions?21