Motor Vehicle Use Survey
Name of Collection
Survey of Motor Vehicle Use
Contact
Manager
Survey of Motor Vehicle Use
Australian Bureau of Statistics
GPO Box 9817
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Telephone: Brisbane 07 3222 6294
Facsimile: Brisbane 07 3222 6334
Email: client.services@abs.gov.au
Internet: www.abs.gov.au
Purpose
To provide information on motor vehicle use in Australia.
Description
The Survey of Motor Vehicle Use (SMVU) collects information on the use of passenger vehicles, motor cycles, light commercial vehicles, rigid trucks, articulated trucks and buses. A new quarterly survey methodology designed to produce annual estimates, was introduced from 1 August 1997. At the start of the quarterly survey period, owners of vehicles selected in the survey are asked to return a questionnaire reporting selected vehicle characteristics and the vehicle's odometer reading. The owner is also alerted to an end of quarter follow up questionnaire seeking details about the use of the vehicle over the quarter and a second odometer reading. In previous surveys the owner was asked to recall details of vehicle use over the 12 months prior to receiving the questionnaire. The current sample size is based on 5,000 vehicles each quarter.
Because of the significant changes introduced by the new survey, users are cautioned against making direct comparisons between 1998 survey results and those produced from previous surveys.
Data Detail
Vehicle type;
Distance travelled;
Fuel consumption;
Area of travel;
Purpose of travel;
Loads carried;
Commodities carried;
and Driver characteristics.
Geographic Coverage
Australia, States and Territories. Some data may be available by capital city and provincial urban areas.
Frequency of Data Availability
The SMVU has been conducted periodically since 1963 and every three years between 1976 and 1991. The first annual data for 1998 from the new survey was released in February 2000. Data for the year ending 31 July 1999 was released on 21 July 2000.
Historical Data
Data are available for 1963, 1971, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1991 and 1995.
Products and Services
Publications
Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, Australia, Preliminary (Cat No. 9202.0)
Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, Australia (Cat No. 9208.0)
Information Paper, Motor Vehicle Use, Australia (Cat No. 9219.0)
Motor Vehicles in Australia (Cat No. 9311.0)
Other
Special data services are available on request.
Example of Information Available
Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, Australia (Cat No. 9208.0)
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