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The fourteenth annual Omnibus Survey was conducted via the Minnesota State Survey (MSS'97) during the months of October, November and December of 1997. This annual study is comprised of a variety of topics, as submitted by separate state agencies. The MSS '97 investigated the following issues: quality of life, environment, organizational awareness (for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency), community-based planning, transportation, volunteerism, nonprofit organizations, the University of Minnesota, telecommuting and drunk driving. Response rate for the 800 telephone interviews was 65% which was consistent with last year, and compares reasonably well with other Omnibus social surveys. The sample for this study consisted of households selected randomly from all Minnesota telephone exchanges. All households in the state (with telephones) had an equal chance to be called, as did each adult member within the household. This year's transportation questions focused on satisfaction issues requested by the Mn/DOT Family of Measures office. Seven specific questions were asked that will be tracked for purposes of the Agency Performance Report (APR). New information was gathered as well, around Minnesota residents' ability to predict their trip time to work, along with similar questions regarding other 'trip to work' data. This report also includes information about telecommuting and the public's interest in being involved in project planning decisions for transportation related issues.

In 1989, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, (Mn/DOT) contracted with the University of Minnesota Center For Survey Research for a survey of public attitudes and opinions about highway construction and safety related issues. The survey was part of a statewide "omnibus" survey, where agencies define and pay for questions that are of special interest to them. In addition to highway construction and safety questions, the 1989 survey included questions on: significant problems in Minnesota, Twin cities attractions, public education, business practices, nonprofit organizations, drunk driving, gambling, bicycle use, Minnesota grown food products and food inspection. Mn/DOT participated in the survey to obtain information on public satisfaction with several highway construction and safety related issues. Survey respondents were asked questions about: -How much driving they did through highway construction areas during the summer of 1989. - How satisfied they were with driving through highway construction work areas. - What was it that made then feel dissatisfied about driving or riding through highway construction work areas. - How safe they felt while driving or riding through highway construction areas. - Whether there was anything about driving or riding through construction zones that made them feel unsafe. - How they preferred to learn about upcoming highway construction projects. This report summarizes the results obtained from a random survey of 804 households in Minnesota. It summarizes how the survey was designed and describes what demographic variables were found to most influence public attitudes and opinions. The Metropolitan Council also participated in a 1989 metropolitan area omnibus survey. This report includes a summary of specific Metropolitan Council survey findings that have applicability to transportation.

Each year, the University of Minnesota's Center for Survey Research conducts a statewide and metropolitan public opinion telephone survey. Approximately 800 households from throughout the state participated in the survey. Survey results are expected to be approximately within plus or minus 35% of what could be found for surveying the population as a whole. This years survey contains questions asked in past surveys, thus enabling Mn/DOT to see how public response to the same issues has changed over time. Graphical comparisons are presented to show relative trends between years. A statistically significant change in attitudes and opinions is assumed to be present only when responses reflect a 10% or greater change from past surveys. Differences of less than 10% between any given response are insignificant. All demographic variables discussed in the report are statistically significant and do represent trends in the demographic sub-groups. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has participated in the University's annual survey on a regular basis since 1988. This year, Mn/DOTs questions focused on the general directions of public opinion regarding highway maintenance and highway construction project announcements. The questions asked this year were an exact repeat of general satisfaction, maintenance, and construction management questions asked in 1988 and 1990.

In 1988, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) contracted with the University of Minnesota Center For Survey Research for a survey of public attitudes on transportation. The survey was part of a statewide "omnibus" survey, where agencies define and pay for questions that are of special interest to them. Other topics in the 1988 statewide omnibus survey were quality of life, environment, transportation, attractions, aging and education. Mn/DOT participated in the survey to obtain general information on public satisfaction with several transportation issues currently facing the department. These issues included: - The condition of Minnesota's roads. - The amount of work being done to improve Minnesota's highway system. - The safety of Minnesota's roads. - The time it takes to travel to the places you want to go. - Driving through highway construction work areas. This report summarizes the results obtained from the random survey of 1,209 households in Minnesota on each of the questions identified above. It describes how the survey was designed and what demographic variables were found to most influence public satisfaction.

The 1995 Minnesota State Survey (MSS'95) was the twelfth annual omnibus survey of adults, age 18 and over, who reside in Minnesota. The Department of Transportation participates in the study by asking questions which will assist in determining areas where more detailed informational needs might be required. A total of 803 telephone interviews were completed for the MSS'95. The overall response rate was 70%. This compares reasonably well with other omnibus social surveys which generally have response rates of 70% to 75%. Transportation questions concerned satisfaction with the time it takes to travel, interest in becoming involved in transportation funding decisions, satisfaction with the opportunity to be involved in that decision making process, and the best way to be informed about opportunities for such involvement. A second set of questions focused on telecommuting and commuting. These questions were also asked in a separate survey in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, in addition to the statewide survey. Participants were asked how often they telecommuted from home, or a satellite location. Results were compared to 1994 on a statewide basis, and to 1993 for the Twin City metro area. Employees were also asked the distance and travel time (one way) to their normal workplace. Additional questions were about attitudes toward allowing artwork on freeway noise walls in the metro area, the reasons for that opinion, and whether the artwork, if allowed should be place on the freeway side or the neighborhood side of the noise walls.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Mn/DOT has contracted with the University of Minnesota in partnership with their Omnibus survey. The theme of this years survey is transportation and air quality. More automobile traffic and congestion can increase the severity of air quality problems in Minnesota. With the importance of clean air and the effects of vehicle emissions and congestion on air quality, timely information on the public's attitude toward different transportation actions which can influence air quality are more important. Responses to this years survey appear to generally support state transportation programs which will encourage higher vehicle occupancy rates and encourage more transit and carpool usage.

The 1996 Minnesota State Survey (MS S '96) was the thirteenth annual omnibus survey of adults, age 18 and over, who reside in Minnesota. Data collection was conducted from October to December 1996 by the Minnesota Center for Survey Research at the University of Minnesota. MSS is an "omnibus" survey, where individual organizations define and pay for those questions which are of special interest to them. The ten topics in the survey were quality of life, transportation, community, environment, organizational awareness, fishing, employment, the iron mining industry, organ donation, and ethic images. The Department of Transportation participates in the study by asking questions concerning transportation which will assist in determining areas where more detailed informational needs might be required.

The 1992-1993 Statewide Omnibus Survey focused on transportation funding and satisfaction. Results show satisfaction with the amount of work being done to improve Minnesota's highway system and satisfaction that Minnesota's most important transportation needs are currently being met. In addition, an overwhelming majority of respondents felt that the same or more money should be spent on funding of Minnesota's highways and transit bus service throughout Minnesota.

Each year, the University of Minnesota's Center for Survey Research conducts a statewide and metropolitan public opinion telephone survey. A total of 806 households from throughout the state participated in the survey. Survey results are approximately within plus or minus 3.5% of what could be found by surveying the population as a whole. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has participated in the University's annual survey on a regular basis since 1988. This year, Mn/DOT's questions focused on the general directions of public opinion regarding overall satisfaction, snow and ice removal, and construction areas. The questions asked this year were a repeat of similar questions asked in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1994 to determine any changes in opinions.