Comparability — Austria [top]

For all samples, the data relates to daily transportation to work or school. If multiple means of transportation were used, the mode with the longest distance of commute was to be reported. Persons with changing job sites in 1971 did not have responses.

Comparability — Canada [top]

The census question asked how the person usually got to work. The census question is asked of people 15+ years old who travel for work within Canada, excluding those who work from home.

Comparability — Fiji [top]

The 2014 census asked the transportation mode used for main daily activity, which was not limited to workplace or school. Private boats are coded to "other private" and minibuses are coded to "other public". All detail is retained in the source variable.

Comparability — France [top]

The 1968 sample refers to transportation to work or school, while the 1999 sample refers only to work and the 2006 sample only refers to means of transportation without specifying if it is work or school. However, since the universe is for actively employed persons it is reasonable to assume it is to work. The categories and the universes also differ substantially across samples.

Comparability — Germany [top]

Both samples refer to transportation to work or school, but the available categories differ substantially.

Comparability — Indonesia [top]

The universe includes persons who routinely commute outside their municipality or regency of residence for work or school.

The question allows a response for going to work/school, and returning from work/school. If persons indicated different means for each trip, they are coded into the "combination of several means" category. The category of "shared private transport" includes methods that are used by a specific group (e.g. employee bus), for payment or not.

Comparability — Ireland [top]

There are slight differences in categories across time. The 1971 sample does not distinguish between driving alone or as a passenger and only the 1991, 1996, 2011, and 2016 samples identify students and employed persons who do not travel to work or school. The unharmonized source variables provide some additional detail, like type of bus or travel by van or lorry.

The universe changed slightly in 2011-2016. In 1971 and 1981-1996, the question was asked of all students and employed persons. In 2011 and 2016, the information is only available for non-absent students and employed persons.

Comparability — Israel [top]

The categories are fairly consistent across samples, with a few differences. The variable describes the primary means of transportation to work on most days of last week. It appears that walking is included with "none" in 1972.

Comparability — Italy [top]

The samples are comparable across years (2001 and 2011). The variable reports the means of transportation used to cover the longest stretch of the persons trip to their usual place of study or work.

Comparability — Mexico [top]

The Mexico sample 2015 and 2020 includes questions both for the usual mode of transportation to work and for the usual mode of transportation to school. Each of these questions allow for up to three responses about the mode of transportation used. TRNWRK uses only the first response for the usual mode of transportation to work, but additional information is available in the unharmonized source variables. The 2020 sample has relatively more categories for public transportation with respect to 2015.

Comparability — Morocco [top]

The 2014 sample refers to transportation to work or school for employed persons who work or study outside their home.

Comparability — Portugal [top]

The variable reports the main mode of transportation used to cover the longest stretch of the person's trip to their usual place of study or work.

Comparability — Puerto Rico [top]

This variable is fairly comparable across time, with a few exceptions: persons who rode motorcycles and bicycles were identified separately in 1990-2020, but would probably have responded "other" in 1970 and 1980; those who took subway or elevated trained were identified separately in 1970 and 2000-2020, but not in other years; and those who took a ferry boat were identified separately in 1980-2020, but not in 1970. The streetcar or trolley car option includes light rail starting in 2020.

The age universes are 14+ for the 1970 sample and 16+ for the 1980-2010 samples.

Comparability — Slovenia [top]

The census question asked how the person usually got to work. There was a separate question about how a person usually got to school, but that information is not incorporated into TRNWRK.

Comparability — South Africa [top]

In 2016, the data indicate the means of transportation for persons attending school.

Comparability — Spain [top]

In both samples data record means of transport to work or school. The 2011 sample has an additional unharmonized source variable identifying a second mode of transport for people who used more than one.

Comparability — Switzerland [top]

This variable is comparable across time. Only the transportation to work is harmonized for this variable as the primary purpose. The unharmonized source variables have more detail about people who combined multiple modes of transportation, and going to school.

Comparability — Trinidad and Tobago [top]

Trinidad and Tobago includes transportation options of "Maxi Taxis" which are considered "other public transportation" and "PH Taxis" which are classified as "hired transport."

Comparability — United Kingdom [top]

In 1991 and 2001, the data are for journey to work in both censuses, plus journey to school for students in Scotland. In 1971, the data only represent journey to work. The usual means of transportation is reported for the 1971, 1991, and 2001 samples. Persons in car pools are included with "Auto (driver)" in 2001. The 2001 universe is capped at age 74.

Comparability — United States [top]

This variable describes the respondent's primary means of transportation to work on the most recent day they worked (1970), or over the course of the previous week (other samples).

It is fairly comparable over time, with a few exceptions: persons who rode motorcycles and bicycles were identified separately in 1980-2020, but would probably have responded "other" in 1960 and 1970; those who took a ferry boat were identified separately in 1990-2020, but not previously; persons who did not respond are included in the NIU category in 1960 and allocated in other years. The streetcar or trolley car option includes light rail starting in 2020.

Comparability — Uruguay [top]

The data indicate the means used for the most time on the trip to work. The "special transportation" category represents that paid by the employer. Only respondents in the second trimester of the 2006 sample were asked the work commute question.