Surveys will be issued to residents across Red Deer to learn about their travelling habits in order to prepare for future city planning.
The City of Red Deer has hired R.A. Malatest Associates Ltd. to randomly select households to participate in the Household Travel Survey.
Participants began receiving letters or phone calls earlier this week inviting them to be a part of the study.
The survey will give transportation planners a better understanding of where people are going and how they get there, whether by car, bicycle, transit or on foot.
“The more information we have about the types of choices people are making when travelling, helps us predict how they might travel in the future,” said Niki Burkinshaw, transportation engineer with the City of Red Deer.
“That allows us to make improvements to those corridors that need it.”
The survey is part of the city’s transportation model which Burkinshaw said they are always trying to improve.
“We’re looking at how growth areas are going to develop in the city, we look at the existing traffic patterns now and that helps us project future traffic patterns. It also identifies other areas that need to be addressed,” said Burkinshaw.
The city hopes 850 households will participate in the survey.
“It is voluntary, but we really do hope they choose to take part because it really helps us make better informed decisions. They (R.A Malatest Associates Ltd.) will continue to send out invitations until they reach that number,” said Burkinshaw.
For more information about the survey or the transportation model contact Burkinshaw at 403-342-8158.
jonathan.guignard@www.reddeeradvocate.com