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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email



Listening to our customers:
Decisions based on objective, sound input

Whether your work place is in the public or private sector, it’s always insightful and productive to reflect on the quality of your efforts. That is why the transportation department joins virtually every major public agency and private business in conducting annual performance reviews.

It is less common, but still very valuable, to consider how your clients would rate your performance and service. Determining how to best address their needs and concerns is predicated not on the volume or volatility of letters that reach our mailroom, but on scientific sampling and measurable input from our constituents… by listening carefully to their feedback.

In that context, opinion surveys are valuable tools that help us shape our perceptions of the past and our vision for the future. They provide contrasting views of the transportation system – a practical view of our day-to-day operations and vision-based view that projects into the future.

A recent national survey conducted by Northwest Research Group for the Federal Highway Administration included perceptions that Idahoans have about their transportation system. The results will be very beneficial as we plan for the immediate and long-range future.

Idaho citizens are satisfied with the system we help operate, but there are areas in which improvement clearly is needed. The overall rating for Idaho’s system, based on a telephone survey of 600 users of the state system, is a C-plus. Citizens gave the highest marks to the condition of our bridges – 20 percent awarded an A rating.

We can learn much from the survey:

– 98 percent of all Idahoans have access to a car that they use on almost a daily basis
– 48 percent are engaged in non-recreational walking
– 36 percent use bicycles (recreational and non-recreational)
– 5 percent take advantage of public transportation
– On average, Idaho travelers drive 12,596 miles annually, which is slightly less than the national average
– 97 percent use the transportation system to shop or run personal errands; 80 percent use the system for recreation, 74 percent use it to connect with friends and family and 59 percent use it for commuting to work
– 45 percent of the respondents indicate they are very satisfied with the system’s ability to meet their commuting needs
– Highway and roadway safety are rated the most important characteristics of a transportation system, followed by pedestrian safety and mobility, planning for future transportation needs and bridge conditions
– Residents of the most urbanized and fastest growing districts (1 and 3) tend to rate the system lower than users in more rural districts
– Two-thirds of all Idahoans believe they have the ability to travel when and where they want; 62 percent believe they can do so safely
– Idahoans are most likely to support projects that add capacity to the system
– Providing transportation alternatives is more important to serve individuals without cars than it is to reduce congestion
– Idahoans show a clear preference for building transportation systems to accommodate growth

The survey confirms what we have learned from past interactions with citizens of Idaho as we seek to refine and transform the system. Public input indicates that we are headed in the right direction, that we’re asking the right questions and that we’re focusing on the right improvements.

It also indicates that we still have progress to make and that our future will be very challenging.