Traffic Survey

I received a traffic survey in the mail. Massachusetts is doing some sort of survey to gather info on traffic patterns.

I thought about this long and hard. I'm a private person and don't really like to let on too much about myself, particularly to the government. Then again, without my help, I can picture the state deciding to build a billion-dollar superhighway to connect far-flung towns that have nothing to do with one another, such as Monroe and Carver.

The survey wanted me to record all the place I went yesterday, how I traveled and what I did there on the assigned travel day. I was asked to carry the diary with me during the day, beginning at 3 a.m. (or when I wake up). It defined a "place" as "any location I travel to, no matter how long I stay there." If I ride the bus or train, to record the bus stop or meeting place.

Then I had to put in a code for the activities I did there, a "main activity" and an "other activity."

I needed to let them know how I paid for my fare (if using public transportation), which household vehicle I used, the exact address and nearest cross-streets to the location, whether I used an HOV lane, how much I paid out of pocket that was not reimbursed by an employer and which toll roads I used. Then I had to do that again for every other location.

I decided yesterday was a good day to stay home.