Workshop Synthesis: Rethinking the Fundamentals of Travel Surveys

The objective of the workshop was to bring together researchers and practitioners to critically examine whether the conceptual and methodological foundations of travel surveys remain adequate in light of evolving societal, technological, and behavioral contexts. Discussions were organized around three main themes: (1) the basic concepts and phenomena being captured in surveys, such as the definition of a “trip” or a “household,” (2) sampling and recruitment strategies to ensure representativeness and equity, and (3) survey administration and longitudinal approaches, including challenges of respondent fatigue and data harmonization. This synthesis captures key insights from the papers presented, the thematic discussions, and collaborative group work, culminating in recommendations for future research directions.