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Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Comprehensive
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Announces a Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey
The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) announced the return of its vehicle inventory and use survey (VIUS) after nearly 20 years. The VIUS has been the principal data source on the physical and operational characteristics of the U.S. truck population. Its primary goal is to gain an understanding nationally and statewide of how trucks are being utilized for various goods transport. The 2021 VIUS is being conducted in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Energy and the U.S. Census Bureau to better understand the characteristics and use of vehicles on our nation’s roads. The data will be used to guide investments in our nation’s infrastructure and vehicle technologies and parts, and to evaluate truck safety needs, emissions estimates and conservation practices.
The 2021 VIUS will collect data from 150,000 vehicle owners of class 1 through 8 trucks, which includes pickups, SUVs, minivans, light vans, straight trucks and truck tractors. Dependent on what type of vehicle a selected driver owns, they will receive either the heavyvehicle or light-vehicle questionnaire. The survey will be conducted through October 2022 and will collect information on the selected vehicle’s 2021 activity, uses and physical characteristics. Vehicles from all sectors of the economy, households and states will be included. BTS plans to release the results in the fall of 2023.
The VIUS will collect data on:
• Vehicle safety technologies, such as collision warning, parking assist and vehicle-to-vehicle communications
• Vehicle fuel types, including alternative fuel sources
• Vehicle maintenance and level of repairs • Uses of vehicles, including frequency of use, their capabilities, how far they travel and why they travel • Miles traveled and fuel economy by weight, type, configuration and age of vehicle • Axle configurations, trailers hauled and operating weight • Equipment added after manufacture of the chassis
• Business versus personal use and types of economic activity served • Commodities carried
• And much more
Current VIUS estimates are of critical importance to federal agencies, state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, businesses and drivers alike.
Results from the survey will:
Provide statistics for:
• Vehicle size and weight studies • Tracking the deployment of driver-assistance technology • Input to freight demand models and air quality models • Role of motor vehicles in the economy • Fuel efficiency of the nation’s truck fleet • Analyses of fees and allocation of cost among highway users • Highway traveler exposure to potential safety risks Guide investments into:
• Better roads, bridges, fueling stations and other transportation infrastructure at the local and state level
• Decreasing traffic congestion and energy usage on the nation’s roadways • Increasing safety and the ability to move goods more effectively n
