Survey Of Motor Vehicle Use - ABS

[Tiny]

Well, I just got one of these letters in the mail today to inform me the Australian Bureau of Statistics is compelling me to participate in a survey of vehicle usage for my Motorcycle, meaning I have to take a pen & paper & log my fuel usage & milage over a four month period starting 1st March. What a PITA.

Anyone else ever get one of these??

Survey of Motor Vehicle Use

The SMVU is collected in two stages. In the first stage, information is collected about the vehicle selected for the survey. In the second stage, information is gathered about the use of the vehicle over a four month survey period.

A Vehicle Log Record is provided to help you keep track of the vehicle's use over the four month period. It is recommended that you keep this log in the vehicle and complete it when you refuel.

Different form types are used for different types of vehicles, these being: Passenger Vehicles, Freight Vehicles and Buses.

Vehicles will only be selected in one of three collection periods during the collection cycle 1 July 2017 - 30 June 2018.

Collection Period 1 = 1 July 2017 to 31 October 2017
Collection Period 2 = 1 November 2017 to 28 February 2018
Collection Period 3 = 1 March 2018 to 30 June 2018

The collection period you have been selected for is specified at the top of each page in the online form and on the front page of the paper form.

The table below shows the Survey Guide and the Vehicle Log Record provided to assist you in completing the survey forms.

Survey Guide

Vehicle Log Record

RELEVANCE AND SELECTION

What is the purpose of the survey and who uses the data?

The SMVU is the only source of national data on motor vehicle use and the information is used in a wide range of government and industry decision-making that affects all aspects of road transport and travel.It is run to provide data for private research bodies/organisations but particularly for Commonwealth and State/Territory government agencies responsible for transport infrastructure. The data assists in decision-making on:

• 
  
  • the allocation of funds for the design, construction and maintenance of road infrastructure
  • the regulation of road transport operators
  • broad measure of growth rates in road use, mobility and traffic congestion
  • accident exposure
  • energy use analysis.

How did our vehicle get chosen for the survey?

All vehicles that were registered with a motor vehicle authority for road use at some stage during the 12 months ending 30 June 2018 are in scope to be selected for the SMVU, with some exceptions. The population is identified using information obtained from the State and Territory motor vehicle registration authorities, as part of the annual ABS Motor Vehicle Census (MVC). The population of vehicles is stratified or grouped based on certain vehicle characteristics, and vehicles are selected for participation in the survey at random from within these groups. This means that all registered owners of vehicles within scope will have a chance to be selected to participate in the survey.

What are Key Data Items SMVU produces estimates for?

The SMVU produces estimates for:

• 
  
  • Total distance travelled
  • Tonne-kilometres
  • Total fuel consumption

Tonne-kilometres is the industry measure for the freight task. SMVU calculates this data using laden distance travelled for work purposes and average load weights as reported by respondents.


PARTICIPATION

Is the survey compulsory?

The ABS relies on the cooperation of motor vehicle users in Australia to provide accurate information as requested. However, the Census and Statistics Act 1905 provides the Australian Statistician with the power, if necessary, to direct you in writing to answer the questions.

Why don’t you pay people to fill in the survey?

The ABS appreciates that considerable time and effort is required on the part of respondents to complete the form. As there is no provision under the Census and Statistics Act 1905 to pay respondents for their time, we rely on their cooperation.

Is confidentiality of my data guaranteed?

The ABS has a legislative responsibility to ensure that it provides a quality statistical service whilst also protecting the privacy rights of those individuals or businesses who provide information. Your completed form remains confidential to the ABS and statistics will only be published in the form of aggregated data. The Australian Statistician and his staff are bound by the Census and Statistics Act 1905 to observe the strictest confidence in regard to the information supplied by respondents.

How accurate do my figures need to be?

The ABS requires information that is as accurate as possible. The more accurate the figures you supply, the more accurate the total estimate will be. However, if exact data is not readily available careful estimates will be accepted.
SURVEY QUESTIONS


Were you the registered owner of this vehicle at the start of this survey period as defined on the form?

If you do not own the vehicle at the start of the survey period, you are required to provide the exact date when you ceased to be the registered owner. The new owner's name and contact details also need to be supplied.

Please record the vehicle's exact odometer reading.

It is very important to get an exact odometer reading as close as possible to the start of the survey period. The odometer reading must be to the nearest whole kilometre or mile e.g. report as 239033 and not 239000. The reading should not be rounded or estimated. Please make sure you keep a record of this reading for the use in completing the second form.

[WhiteOx]

Disconnect the odometer and tell the nosey pricks you haven't gone anywhere.

[Tiny]

Disconnect the odometer and tell the nosey pricks you haven't gone anywhere.

hahaha, that's on the cards, but realistically I only ride about once a week & after early May it's too cold & frosty to ride here.
So they will get 2 months of something & 2 months of nothing.

[ol' boy]

Never even heard of it Tiny
What happens if you just don't do it?

[garrycol]

The fines are similar to not doing the census - start low and increase by the day until you submit the information.

Do what I do with the census - just give them false information - it is none of their business.

[crazy]

The Data that Google or Apple would have on roads used, trip times, speeds etc would well and truly negate the info ABS would get from surveys like this!

[lsemmens]

If you do not own the vehicle at the start of the survey period, you are required to provide the exact date when you ceased to be the registered owner.

This bit got me. Are you sure it's the Australian Bureau of Stats? Could be the ABS has outsourced to an Indian Statistics centre.

[VroomVroom]

what a load of BS , obviously thought up by someone trying to justify thier jobs.

quote -
the allocation of funds for the design, construction and maintenance of road infrastructure
the regulation of road transport operators
broad measure of growth rates in road use, mobility and traffic congestion
accident exposure
energy use analysis.

since when has road funding by any council or govt body ever taken into account any of these factors? Look at Sydney for one example - its bleeding obvious that the suburbs are growing , more cars are being sold , traffic densities and getting worse , but no funding ever follows. Then the state govt waits another 10 years till a private company builds a tollway and charges motorists to use it ? Then a politican stands up and says "look what ive achieved in office " ..bunch of wayne kerrs