Official Statistics

National Travel Attitudes Study (NTAS) Wave 9: notes and methodology

Published 18 January 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-travel-attitudes-study-wave-9/national-travel-attitudes-study-ntas-wave-9-notes-and-methodology

This page contains information on the methodology used to conduct the survey, and information on the strengths and weaknesses of the data.

Methodology

The National Travel Attitudes Study (NTAS) collects data on the attitudes of individuals aged 16 and over across England. Individuals who have completed the National Travel Survey (NTS) and have consented to taking part in the NTAS panel, are contacted with an offer of completing a wave of NTAS questions. The NTAS is a random probability sample with respondents drawn from the NTS, and responses are weighted to take account of the mode of delivery, and to reflect the population. Initial contact is via letter and email, and by SMS text message (where the information is available). If no response is received within 2 weeks, this is pursued via a telephone call.

National Travel Survey

The National Travel Survey (NTS) is a household survey designed to monitor long-term trends in personal travel and to inform the development of policy. It is the primary source of data on personal travel patterns by residents of England within Great Britain. It began in 1965 as the first national travel survey in the world and has been running continuously since 1988.

The survey collects information on how, why, when and where people travel as well as factors affecting travel (for example car availability and driving licence holding). Respondents are drawn by a probability sample based on post codes across England. The NTAS uses NTS respondents who have consented to completing further surveys. This allows a link to be drawn between a respondent’s travel behaviour and their travel attitudes, as long as the sample size is sufficient for the comparison to be drawn. More information on the NTS can be found on the National Travel Survey page.

Statistics relating to travel in England can be found in the main NTS publication including:

Strengths and weaknesses of the data

The respondents to the National Travel Attitudes Study (NTAS) are drawn from those who completed the National Travel Survey (NTS). This allows us to directly compare attitudes towards travel and transport revealed by the NTAS, to the travel behaviour identified during the NTS. This also reduces the number of demographic questions that need to be asked, resulting in a shorter survey than if it were asked of a random selection of the public. The NTAS data relates only to respondents aged 16 and over in England.

Sample size

Wave 9 of the NTAS survey was offered to individuals who had completed the NTS in 2022 and agreed to be contacted for further studies. In total, 2,011 individuals completed the Wave 9 questionnaire.

Method of delivery

Individuals who choose to partake in the NTAS survey are directed to an online form. If the survey is not completed online within 2 weeks, a follow-up call is initiated and the interview can be conducted by telephone. The NTAS offers an incentive in the form of a voucher for individuals who complete the survey.

Users and uses of the data

These statistics are used both inside and outside government to aid decision-making, including:

  • to provide general background to sector trends, and to inform the development and evaluation of policy, and to inform decision making

  • in the development or testing of transport and environmental models and forecasts

  • in market analysis by transport consultants and businesses

  • to respond to requests for information from Parliament, members of the public and international organisations

We welcome any feedback on these statistics to National Travel Survey.

Background notes

These statistics are official statistics. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics. The web tables and charts give further detail of the key results presented in this statistical release. They are available at the statistics on public attitudes towards transport page.

A Technical Report which outlines the technical information related to the survey in more detail, including the sample design, fieldwork, and information on the weighting approach, was released for Wave 1.

To hear more about DfT statistical publications as they are released, follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at DfTstats.

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Contact details

National Travel Survey statistics

To hear more about DfT statistical publications as they are released, follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at DfTstats.

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