Abstract

The Kentucky Transportation Center, with the assistance of the University of Kentucky’s Survey Research Center, administered a telephone survey to 1,221 licensed drivers throughout the state to gauge their opinion of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) maintenance activities. Survey respondents were distributed throughout KYTC’s 12 highway districts. The survey focused on five areas of highway maintenance: roadside features, pavement surfaces, shoulders, drainage and signs/markings. Respondents indicated they were most satisfied with the current maintenance of signs, guardrail, and striping. Pavement surfaces and potholes, and shoulders and roadway drainage, received the lowest rankings — given that the driving public is very attuned to the smoothness of roadways and readily detects problems, this result was expected. The survey also asked respondents about to specify what level of maintenance they desired for each category. Results for these questions were practically identical across the entire state, with respondents expressing a desire that roads and road features be maintained in very good to excellent condition. There were no differences between items relating to pavement surfaces or safety items. Researchers compared the 2016 survey results to the findings of a 2010 survey. There were few differences between the surveys, and in general the results mirrored each other very closely. New questions added in 2016 asked drivers about their primary sources of travel information. Drivers reported using smartphone apps to obtain travel directions and road conditions, but that traditional media outlets (e.g., television, radio) remain critical sources of information.

Report Date

5-2016

Report Number

KTC-16-10/SPR16-530-1F

Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.13023/ktc.rr.2016.10

Notes

© 2018 University of Kentucky, Kentucky Transportation Center

Information may not be used, reproduced, or republished without KTC’s written consent.

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Transportation Center, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the United States Department of Transportation, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The inclusion of manufacturer names or trade names is for identification purposes and should not be considered an endorsement.

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