Travel Survey for Northern Ireland 2005 - 2007

The seventh Travel Survey for Northern Ireland has now been produced covering the period 2005 - 2007. Previous Surveys reported on the years 1999 - 2001, 2000 - 2002, 2001 - 2003 2002-2004, 2003 - 2005 and 2004 - 2006

The Travel Survey for Northern Ireland is based on the methodology used for the National Travel Survey in Great Britain. It is the only source of information on how, over Northern Ireland as a whole, people as individuals or family groups use different forms of transport to meet their travel needs. It is, and will continue to be, an important source for many years to come and will provide information to influence government policy, set objectives and monitor performance in relation to transport and travel in Northern Ireland.

The main survey in Northern Ireland began as a continuous survey in March 1999 and has been running since then on a monthly basis. The methodology to carry out the survey is explained in the Travel Survey for Northern Ireland, Technical Report 2005 - 2007.

This year's reports (PDF Format) can be viewed by clicking the relevant link below:-

Previous years' reports (PDF Format) are also available:-

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Comparison between all seven Travel Surveys shows only small changes in the figures presented. This is largely as expected, as the figures presented are three-year rolling averages. In addition, especially when investigating small changes, the accuracy of the survey (sampling errors) should be borne in mind (see Technical Report 2005 - 2007). The Travel Survey for Northern Ireland will continue to be produced on an annual basis, but it may be some time before statistically significant changes are observed.

Key points for the Travel Survey for Northern Ireland 2005 - 2007 are given below:-

Car travel made up over four fifths (81%) of the total distance travelled.
On average, each person in Northern Ireland walked 144 miles per year, just over 2% of the total distance travelled.
Children under 16 made just over six in ten, (62%) of their trips as car passengers, with most of the rest on foot, (23%).
Women made 18% of their trips on foot, compared to 15% for men.
Just under one quarter, (23%), of trips were made for leisure purposes, just over one fifth(21%) were made for shopping, 16% for commuting and business and 14% for personal business.
The number of people travelling to work by car in Belfast fell from 67% in 2004 - 2006 to 59% in this survey period. At the same time, those using the bus rose from 10 to 12% and those walking rose from 16 to 21%.

Trends regarding continuing car dependency have emerged. Over the period 1999 - 2001 to 2005 - 2007, the following changes have been observed: