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A minute of your time: The impact of survey recruitment method and interview location on the value of travel time

Author

Listed:
  • Askill H. Halse

    (Institute of Transport Economics (TØI))

  • Stefan Flügel

    (Institute of Transport Economics (TØI))

  • Marco Kouwenhoven

    (Significance)

  • Gerard Jong

    (Significance)

  • Hanne B. Sundfør

    (Institute of Transport Economics (TØI))

  • Nina Hulleberg

    (Institute of Transport Economics (TØI))

  • Guri N. Jordbakke

    (Institute of Transport Economics (TØI))

  • Henrik Lindhjem

    (Menon Centre for Environmental and Resource Economics
    Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA))

Abstract

Web-based stated preference (SP) surveys are widely used to estimate values of travel time (VTT) for cost–benefit analysis, often with internet panels as the source of recruitment. The recruitment method could potentially bias the results because (1) those who frequently participate in surveys may have a lower opportunity cost of time and (2) people who answer the survey at home or in the office may answer differently because the choice situation is less salient to them. In this paper, we investigate both mechanisms using data from a VTT choice experiment study where respondents were recruited from an internet panel, an alternative email register or on-board/on the station. Within all three groups, some complete the survey while making an actual trip. We find that respondents who were recruited from the internet panel or report being members of a panel have a significantly lower VTT, suggesting that internet panels are less representative in this respect compared to other recruitment methods. We also find that those who answer while traveling have a higher VTT, possibly because the benefits of saving travel time are more salient to them than to those who answer while not traveling.

Suggested Citation

  • Askill H. Halse & Stefan Flügel & Marco Kouwenhoven & Gerard Jong & Hanne B. Sundfør & Nina Hulleberg & Guri N. Jordbakke & Henrik Lindhjem, 2023. "A minute of your time: The impact of survey recruitment method and interview location on the value of travel time," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(5), pages 1553-1584, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:transp:v:50:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s11116-022-10287-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11116-022-10287-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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