Comparative analysis of survey methods for the purpose of understanding of the use intention after the bus route network restructuring and usefulness of the depth interviews

A case study for the bus route network restructuring plan in Mito

Abstract

Survey methods related a way of willingness to use a public transit have some of advantages and disadvantages for data collection. Depth interview (DI), which is one of the survey method to discover user's willingness, is a way to communicate one-on-one with users. This study aims to compare the advantages and disadvantages of among DI, questionnaire survey and group interview (GI), and reveal the effectiveness of DI. Research participants answered willingness to use a bus after route network restructuring in three methods, and the policy and procedure of DI were proposed based on the replies change with difference types of survey method. The results of this study derived the following: (1) DI is the best method for discovering true intention; (2) DI can compensate for the disadvantages of the GI and questionnaire; (3) DI should be conduct after GI.