KAET-ASU Poll

CONTACT: EMBARGOED UNTIL:
Dr. Bruce Merrill (480)-965-7051 Tuesday, July 24, 2001

KAET POLL:
TRAFFIC SEEN AS SERIOUS PROBLEM;
MOST OPPOSE TRANSPORTATION TAX PROPOSAL

The statewide telephone poll of 410 registered voters was conducted by

KAET-TV and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication at Arizona State University between July 12 and July 15, 2001.

When asked an open-ended question to find out what people think should be done to reduce traffic, about one-third of those with an opinion said either roads and freeways should be widened (19%) or new freeways (13%) should be built. The other top responses were to build light rail (12%); increase the number of buses and bus riders (11%); synchronize traffic signals (7%) and increase carpooling (4%).

Even though traffic is considered a serious problem, voters in Arizona did not support a proposal to increase the state sales tax three-quarters of one percent and phase-in a 13-cent increase in the price of gasoline to build a statewide transportation system. Fifty-eight percent (58%) were opposed to that proposal, thirty-five percent (35%) supported it and seven percent (7%) said they did not have an opinion. Voters over 60 years of age were particularly opposed (69%) to the proposal.

About eleven percent (11%) of the registered voters in Arizona carpool to work; eleven percent (11%) living in Maricopa County also carpool. The poll also found that only about five percent (5%) of registered voters both statewide and in Maricopa County ride the bus to work.

(Data is divided into statewide and Maricopa County results only. The sample sizes for other counties were too small to allow generalization.)

Q1: Is traffic in the area where you live a very serious problem, somewhat of a problem, or not much of a problem?

Q2: IF RESPONDENT FELT TRAFFIC IS VERY OR SOMEWHAT SERIOUS WE ASKED: What do you think should be done to reduce traffic where you live?

Q3: It has been suggested that it will take an additional $20 billion over the next 20 years to provide an adequate transportation system in Arizona. Would you support or oppose increasing the state sales tax three-quarters of one percent and phasing-in a 13-cent increase in the price of a gallon of gasoline in order to fund a better statewide transportation system?

Q4: Do you work outside the home? IF YES: How long does it take you to get to where you work? (Median in minutes)

Q5: IF WORK OUTSIDE HOME: Do you or does anyone in your household carpool to work?

Q6: IF WORK OUTSIDE HOME: Do you or does anyone in your household ride the bus to work on a regular basis?

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.8%. Forty-four percent (44%) of those interviewed were Republican, 40 percent Democrat and 16 percent Independent or "others". Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 16 percent in Pima and 25 percent in other Arizona counties.

KAET-TV is a part of Arizona State University