Neighborhood Business District Access Intercept Survey

To support and better understand the purpose and patterns of travel by visitors in various neighborhood business districts, SDOT and OED partnered with six (6) neighborhood business districts to conduct a survey of visitors to these districts. SDOT contracted a market and opinion research firm, to conduct this sidewalk survey and analyze the results.  Survey results provide local chambers and city departments with data to better understand:

• How often people visit neighborhood business districts
• The purpose of their visit
• What modes people use to access these districts
• What factors affect their mode choice
• What improvements would support their patronage

Approximately 1,400 intercept surveys were completed  in six (6) commercial neighborhoods districts throughout the City (Admiral, Ballard, Capitol Hill, Columbia City, Fremont and Othello) between September 29 and October 16, 2011. Survey results concluded in part that:

• Most residents (61%+) either walk or take transit to get to neighborhood districts
• Most residents identified their local neighborhood district as their primary neighborhood for shopping and dining
• Convenience is the top reason for choosing a particular mode of travel
• Discretionary activities (dining/socializing rather than grocery shopping) make up a significant amount of visits

This survey provides business districts valuable information to better understand customer behavior and ensure that business development strategies and transportation access needs for patrons are based on real information rather than perceptions.

"From this survey we were able to gauge important patterns of customers in the district, including how long they were staying, and what other services they were looking for," said Shelley Morrison, chairman of the marketing committee of the Columbia City Business Association. "We will use this data to improve our marketing and business attraction efforts. It's the kind of research we couldn't afford to do on our own, but is greatly beneficial, especially when we can compare ourselves to other neighborhoods."

Form more information, contact Ann Sutphin, 206-684-8374