Design and implementation of a survey of people parking at curbside meters

A practical procedure for planning and implementing a survey of the public to obtain relevant information for municipal decision-makers is illustrated with a study of motor vehicle parking at curbside meters. Principal components are: the definition of the problem; the development of a questionnaire in consultation with the politicians and their advisors; the design of a sampling plan to reflect the breadth of potential responses from the public, and the cost of obtaining interviews; the use of machine-readable forms to reduce the sources of error, and to facilitate the monitoring of interviewer performance; and the application of statistical analysis, using standard computer programs to obtain quickly and accurately the results that are most meaningful to the ultimate decision-makers. The conclusions and recommendations from the survey may be applicable to other cities.