MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	An Assessment of Regional Road User Needs in Three Rural States
Authors:	Jill Hough, Gary Hegland, and Crystal Bahe
University:	North Dakota State University
Publication Date:	Apr 2003
Report #:	MPC-03-140
Project #:	MPC-154
TRID #:	00942598
Keywords:	attitudes, commuters, customer satisfaction, decision making, delivery service, farming, financing, infrastructure, law enforcement, needs assessment, operations, programming (planning), public participation, regulations, rural areas, surveys, travelers

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a study on direct assessment of rural user needs in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The objective was to assess rural road users and providers perceptions of rural road needs. Different rural road user groups were identified to obtain a representative sample of perceptions. User groups targeted in the study included commuters, delivery services, mail carriers, school bus drivers and farmers. An attitudinal survey was developed and administered to these groups. The survey yielded a good return rate in each of the states, suggesting that more road users are becoming aware of road management and finance issues.