Seattle Commute Surveys are live, Monday, October 9, 2023, and will close on Friday, November 3, 2023. Surveys are only required for sites that have been notified by City of Seattle and Commute Seattle; this includes new sites completing their baseline survey as well as sites needing to re-survey due to inadequate response in Fall 2022.
Survey Training
The training scheduled on 9/14 is cancelled due to delays in the development of WSDOT’s new survey tool. SDOT and/or Commute Seattle will reach out to worksites directly with the next steps.
In partnership with WSDOT, we’re launching a brand new Commute Survey tool in 2023! RideAmigos will be a new provider for all CTR and TMP surveys.
What is the survey link?
The WSDOT survey link is:
How We Can Help
Commute Seattle has a team of experts to help you administer the 2023 Seattle Commute Survey to employees. Schedule a free consultation for 1:1 support, preview the survey questions below, and advertise the survey with our marketing toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the survey?
Large employers (100+ employees) and large buildings (with a Transportation Management Program requirement) in Seattle are required to administer a survey of their employees and tenants every two years to understand commute behavior its impact on traffic mitigation, air quality, and fossil fuel consumption.
The survey measures commute behavior in two ways:
- Vehicle miles traveled per person (VMT) and
- Drive-alone trips for the population surveyed.
Tracking commute behavior provides valuable data for employers and properties, including:
- Current employee/tenant commute behavior
- Emissions generated by trips to/from a worksite
- Insight into employee/tenant travel needs to better tailor programs and offerings
Instead of the survey, certain employers can provide equivalent data from other records or surveys, but this must be pre-approved by SDOT and WSDOT.
2) How will I administer the survey?
This year WSDOT presents an improved survey tool developed and operated using RideAmigos platform. The new CTR tool is online, mobile friendly, secure, and easy to access. It can also be translated, and a paper survey method will likely be available for Fall 2024 surveys.
3) But, why do we have to survey? What is the point?
Commute Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) are aware that there has been a drastic shift in travel behaviors since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, this work is more important than ever as our climate changes. Collecting data on a city-wide level provides decision makers and planners with the information they need to make changes that increase the quality of life in our region. Don’t miss this chance to give your organization a voice in Seattle’s transportation future!
4) Why am I being asked to survey in an off-cycle year?
There are a few reasons why you may be asked to participate in the Fall 2023 survey:
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For large Seattle employers affected by the Commute Trip Reduction Law, a baseline or first the survey must be completed within 90 days of becoming a CTR-affected employer. After a baseline survey, employers execute an employee survey every two years along with other major Seattle employers.
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For new developments or newly TMP-affected properties, a baseline or first survey must be completed within a defined time frame per the master use permit.
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If an employer or property did not meet the required response rate in 2022.
5) What are the survey questions?
Available in September.
6) When does the survey open? And, for how long is it available?
The survey will be live Monday, October 9, 2023, and will close on Friday, November 3, 2023. People can take the survey throughout the available window.
7) What is the minimum survey response rate?
The City of Seattle requires that worksites achieve a 50% response rate.
8) Who should take the survey? What about remote or hybrid workers?
All Seattle-based employees should take the survey, remote workers included! The more people who complete the survey, the easier it is to achieve a significant response rate. Remember, remote work can significantly reduce drive-alone rates and vehicle miles traveled!
Even before the pandemic and explosion of telework, WSDOT and SDOT had a long standing practice of including remote workers in the survey.
What if employees are required to drive-for work? Exemptions are available by request for people that are required to drive for work or that are on-call workers may be exempt from the survey. Contact us to learn more about exemptions.
9) Will there be marketing materials provided to communicate the survey to our employees or tenants?
Yes! Commute Seattle offers a communication and marketing toolkit with templates like a poster, digital ad, and e-mail communication to help you spread the word. Toolkit will be available soon!