TECHNICAL NOTE DATA QUALITY INDICATORS
DATA QUALITY
1 When interpreting the results of a survey it is important to take into account factors that may affect the reliability of estimates. The survey methodology procedures as well as sampling and non-sampling errors should be considered. Examination of the following quality indicators will assist users in determining fitness for purpose of the Survey of Motor Vehicle Use (SMVU).
SAMPLING ERROR
2 Estimates in this publication are based on information collected for a sample of registered motor vehicles, rather than a full enumeration, and are therefore subject to sampling error. They may differ from the data that would have been produced if the information had been obtained for all registered motor vehicles. Examples of the sampling error for this publication are included in this Technical Note.
3 The sampling error associated with an estimate can be estimated from the sample results. One measure of sampling error is given by the standard error, which indicates the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of vehicles was included. There are about two chances in three that a sample estimate will differ by less than one standard error from the data that would have been obtained if all vehicles had been included, and about 19 chances in 20 that the difference will be less than two standard errors.
4 Another measure of sampling variability is the relative standard error (RSE) which is obtained by expressing the standard error as a percentage of the estimate to which it refers. The RSE is a useful measure in that it provides an immediate indication of the percentage error likely to have occurred due to sampling. In this publication, estimates with an RSE between 25% and 50% are annotated with the symbol '*', indicating that the estimate should be used with caution as it is subject to sampling variability too high for most practical purposes. Estimates with an RSE greater than 50% are annotated with the symbol '**' indicating that the sampling variability causes the estimates to be considered too unreliable for general use.
5 The RSEs relating to 2010 estimates contained in Table 4 of this publication are shown in the following table.
RSE OF MOTOR VEHICLE USE(a), State/territory of registration - Type of vehicle |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Passenger vehicles | Motor cycles | Light commercial vehicles | Rigid trucks | Articulated trucks | Non-freight carrying trucks | Buses | Total |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % |
Total kilometres travelled |
|
New South Wales | 6.1 | 14.3 | 6.9 | 5.6 | 3.6 | 22.9 | 8.4 | 4.7 |
Victoria | 5.3 | 25.6 | 5.9 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 25.3 | 8.8 | 4.1 |
Queensland | 5.9 | 17.1 | 7.0 | 5.5 | 4.0 | 19.0 | 8.7 | 4.3 |
South Australia | 5.4 | 14.6 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 5.1 | 20.7 | 6.6 | 4.1 |
Western Australia | 5.5 | 17.9 | 5.4 | 12.0 | 4.1 | 21.5 | 6.9 | 4.0 |
Tasmania | 4.7 | 25.7 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 8.0 | 26.0 | 16.1 | 3.4 |
Northern Territory | 8.1 | 28.0 | 6.5 | 9.0 | 8.8 | np | np | 5.3 |
Australian Capital Territory | 5.4 | 23.4 | 6.8 | 5.3 | 8.5 | np | np | 4.6 |
Australia | 2.7 | 8.4 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 10.2 | 3.8 | 2.1 |
Number of vehicles |
|
New South Wales | 1.6 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 14.9 | 4.5 | 1.3 |
Victoria | 1.7 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 14.1 | 4.6 | 1.4 |
Queensland | 1.7 | 5.3 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 11.2 | 3.5 | 1.3 |
South Australia | 1.4 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 8.8 | 4.0 | 1.0 |
Western Australia | 1.5 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 10.4 | 4.0 | 1.1 |
Tasmania | 1.3 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 15.6 | 6.4 | 1.0 |
Northern Territory | 2.6 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 5.2 | 3.3 | np | np | 1.7 |
Australian Capital Territory | 2.8 | 7.0 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 4.9 | np | np | 2.4 |
Australia | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 5.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 |
Average kilometres travelled |
|
New South Wales | 5.9 | 13.8 | 6.6 | 5.4 | 3.5 | 14.0 | 8.2 | 4.5 |
Victoria | 5.1 | 25.4 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 4.0 | 20.3 | 8.2 | 3.9 |
Queensland | 5.6 | 17.0 | 6.9 | 5.3 | 3.7 | 17.9 | 8.2 | 4.1 |
South Australia | 5.5 | 14.4 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 5.3 | 20.9 | 6.2 | 4.1 |
Western Australia | 5.2 | 17.9 | 5.2 | 12.0 | 4.3 | 18.5 | 5.9 | 3.8 |
Tasmania | 4.5 | 25.5 | 5.4 | 5.6 | 6.6 | 27.1 | 15.3 | 3.3 |
Northern Territory | 7.9 | 28.2 | 6.4 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 25.7 | 7.8 | 5.2 |
Australian Capital Territory | 5.3 | 20.2 | 6.4 | 5.2 | 6.8 | 15.3 | np | 4.5 |
Australia | 2.6 | 8.1 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 8.7 | 3.5 | 2.0 |
|
np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated |
(a) These RSEs relate to the estimates in Table 4. |
6 As an example of the use of an RSE, the 2010 estimate for total kilometres travelled by all passenger vehicles registered in Australia is 163,360 million kilometres (Table 4 of the publication). The rounded RSE for this estimate is 2.7%, as shown above. Therefore, the standard error for the 2010 kilometres travelled by passenger vehicles estimate is 4,410 million kilometres (2.7% of 163,360 million kilometres). There are about two chances in three that the figure obtained if all vehicles had been included, would have been in the range 158,949 million kilometres to 167,770 million kilometres (a range of one standard error above and below the survey estimate). There are about 19 chances in 20 that the figure would have been in the range 154,540 million kilometres to 172,180 million kilometres (a range of two standard errors above and below the survey estimate).
7 It is important to note that estimates at more detailed levels than the above are subject to higher RSEs and therefore are less reliable.
8 RSEs for other key variables are shown in the following tables. The RSEs of further detailed variables can be made available on request.
RSE of fuel consumption(a), Type of fuel - Type of vehicle |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Passenger vehicles | Motor cycles | Light commercial vehicles | Rigid trucks | Articulated trucks | Non-freight carrying trucks | Buses | Total |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % |
Total fuel consumption |
|
Petrol | 3.7 | 8.7 | 5.6 | 21.5 | 99.0 | 45.3 | 13.3 | 3.2 |
Diesel | 16.7 | 99.9 | 6.1 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 4.7 | 3.0 |
LPG/CNG/dual fuel | 15.9 | - | 16.1 | 40.0 | 30.8 | 66.1 | 16.9 | 11.4 |
Total | 3.2 | 8.7 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 11.6 | 4.0 | 2.1 |
Average rate of fuel consumption |
|
Petrol | 1.8 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 10.1 | 100.0 | 9.2 | 3.9 | 1.5 |
Diesel | 4.6 | 100.0 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 7.7 | 2.4 | 2.2 |
LPG/CNG/dual fuel | 4.5 | - | 3.9 | 37.8 | 8.6 | 19.3 | 13.7 | 3.7 |
Total | 1.6 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 7.3 | 2.3 | 1.0 |
|
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells) |
(a) These RSEs relate to the estimates in Table 5. |
RSE of freight vehicles(a), State/territory of operation |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Light commercial vehicles | Rigid trucks | Articulated trucks | Total |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % | % |
Total tonne-kilometres |
|
New South Wales | 20.4 | 11.5 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
Victoria | 12.6 | 9.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
Queensland | 15.9 | 7.9 | 5.8 | 4.9 |
South Australia | 15.4 | 11.6 | 7.1 | 6.0 |
Western Australia | 12.4 | 14.1 | 6.4 | 5.7 |
Tasmania | 14.7 | 12.4 | 8.2 | 6.7 |
Northern Territory | 13.2 | 9.2 | 15.9 | 14.4 |
Australian Capital Territory | 23.6 | 18.8 | 27.8 | 14.1 |
Australia | 8.4 | 5.5 | 2.5 | 2.3 |
|
(a) These RSEs relate to the estimates in Table 13. |
9 Summary tables in this publication contain estimates for earlier years. Because of cost and provider load constraints, the SMVU cannot be designed to provide accurate measures of the movements between reference periods. Care should be taken in drawing inferences from changes in data over these years.
10 The standard error for the movement can be approximated using the following formula
![Equation: EQ1_SE](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/6b9fe12a37ecc520ca257b550015f7c1/Body/1.D2E!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
where
![Equation: EQ2](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/6b9fe12a37ecc520ca257b550015f7c1/Body/1.1162!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
is an estimate of total of the variable of interest, obtained from the 1st time point
![Equation: EQ3](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/6b9fe12a37ecc520ca257b550015f7c1/Body/1.129E!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
is an estimate of total of the same variable of interest, obtained from the 2nd time point
![Equation: EQ4](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/6b9fe12a37ecc520ca257b550015f7c1/Body/1.13DE!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
is an estimate of movement of the total of the variable of interest from the 1st time point to the 2nd time
point, ie
11 For total kilometres travelled by type of vehicle from the 2006 and 2010 SMVUs, the standard errors of the movements and the estimates from which they are derived are shown in the following table.
SE OF THE MOVEMENT OF TOTAL KILOMETRES TRAVELLED |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | LEVEL ESTIMATES | MOVEMENT ESTIMATES |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | 2006 | RSE (2006) | 2010 | RSE (2010) | Movement | SE (Movement)(a) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | mill. | % | mill. | % | mill. | mill. |
|
Type of vehicle | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Passenger vehicles | 156 184 | 2 | 163 360 | 3 | 7 176 | 5 683 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Motor cycles | 1 641 | 10 | 2 394 | 8 | 752 | 256 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Light commercial vehicles | 35 210 | 2 | 42 715 | 3 | 7 505 | 1 590 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Rigid trucks | 8 040 | 3 | 9 011 | 3 | 971 | 373 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Articulated trucks | 6 151 | 2 | 6 917 | 2 | 766 | 172 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Non-freight trucks | 261 | 13 | 210 | 10 | -51 | 39 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Buses | 1 917 | 4 | 2 024 | 4 | 107 | 107 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total | 209 405 | 2 | 226 632 | 2 | 17 227 | 6 013 |
|
(a) Calculated on unrounded RSE estimates |
12 As indicated in the table above, the estimates of movement are subject to significant sampling error and caution should be used in analysing the movements in the estimates. For example, the estimate of movement for passenger vehicles is an increase of 7,176 million kilometres and the standard error is 5,683 million kilometres, which means there are 19 chances in 20 that the true movement estimate is between a decrease of 4,190 million kilometres and an increase of 18,542 million kilometres.
NON-SAMPLING ERROR
13 Non-sampling error covers the range of errors that are not caused by sampling and can occur in any statistical collection whether it is based on full enumeration or a sample. For example, non-sampling error can occur because of non-response to the statistical collection, errors or omissions in reporting by providers, definition or classification difficulties, errors in transcribing and processing data and under-coverage of the frame from which the sample was selected. If these errors are systematic (not random) then the survey results will be distorted in one direction and therefore will be unrepresentative of the target population. Systematic errors result in bias.
Response and non-response
14 An important factor that affects non-sampling error is the response rate achieved. The ABS makes all reasonable efforts to maximise response rates. Where appropriate, mail reminders and telephone follow-up are used to attempt to contact non-responding vehicle owners. Responses were received from 84% of all of the selections for 2010. After removing those vehicles that had been found to be deregistered or out of scope, the live response rate for the 2010 SMVU was 84%.
RESPONSE AND NON-RESPONSE BY CATEGORY |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Percentage of selections 2010 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % |
|
Response received | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Registered vehicle | 79 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Unregistered vehicle(a) | 5 |
Non-response | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Untraceable - mailing address unknown | 4 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Other(b) | 11 |
Total selections | 100 |
|
(a) Includes deregistration, out of scope and duplicates. |
(b) Includes: responses that were unusable because of unresolved queries or where the vehicle was sold during the reference quarter and the reported data covered less than 14 days; non-response where no listing could be found to enable contact by telephone; and owner contacted by telephone but response still not secured. |
15 Live response rates for each state and territory, and for each vehicle type, are shown in the following tables:
LIVE RESPONSE RATES, State/Territory |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Response rate |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % |
|
New South Wales | 86 |
Victoria | 83 |
Queensland | 85 |
South Australia | 86 |
Western Australia | 86 |
Tasmania | 84 |
Northern Territory | 74 |
Australian Capital Territory | 82 |
Australia | 84 |
|
LIVE RESPONSE RATES, Type of vehicle |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Response rate |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % |
|
Type of vehicle | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Passenger vehicle | 81 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Motor cycles | 80 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Light commercial vehicles | 81 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Rigid trucks | 85 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Articulated trucks | 86 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Non-freight carrying trucks | 86 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Buses | 85 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total | 84 |
|
16 A large non-response increases the potential magnitude of non-response bias, which occurs if the usage patterns of the non-responding vehicles differ from those of the responding vehicles. For the SMVU, it is assumed that the characteristics of non-responding vehicles including the proportion of deregistered, out of scope and nil use vehicles are the same as for responding vehicles.
Frame quality
17 The scope of the survey comprises all vehicles that were registered with a motor vehicle authority for road use at some stage during the 12 months ended 31 October 2010 (excluding caravans, trailers, tractors, plant and equipment, defence services vehicles, diplomatic or consular-plated vehicles and vintage or veteran registered vehicles). A population or survey frame of 15.7 million vehicles was identified on 31 March 2009 using information obtained from the state and territory motor vehicle registration authorities, as part of the annual ABS Motor Vehicle Census (MVC) (Cat No. 9309.0). From this frame a stratified sample of 16,000 vehicles was selected for reporting on vehicle use.
18 The responses received in the SMVU provide an indication of the quality of the frame. In 2010, the effects of duplicate vehicle registrations, vehicle de-registrations prior to frame extract, and out-of-scope vehicles on the frame was estimated to be approximately 0.2% of the total frame. This indicates the frame was reliable in terms of providing an accurate number of registered vehicles in Australia.
19 Vehicle classification anomalies arise when respondents indicate an alteration has been made to the vehicle body, resulting in a different vehicle type to that recorded on the frame. These changes can happen during the time-lag between finalising the frame and collection of SMVU data (between 7 and 19 months). Vehicle classification anomalies can also result from data supplied by state and territory vehicle registration authorities. An assessment of vehicle classification anomalies from 2010 data shows that while there was no bias towards specific states or territories, there were marked discrepancies for some vehicle types. For vehicles on the frame that were listed as non-freight carrying trucks, 21.8% were found to be other vehicle types, 15.4% of vehicles listed as buses were found to be other vehicle types. This issue was not significant for other vehicle types on the frame.
Imputation
20 Imputation is the process whereby a value is generated for missing data items, based on the responses for similar vehicles which were operating for the reference period. As for previous surveys, the need for imputation of unanswered items on the returned questionnaires remained quite high. This is called partial imputation.
21 Total fuel consumption can be difficult to collect, being derived from the product of total distance travelled and the average fuel consumption rate. The average fuel consumption rate can be reported directly by the respondent or derived from the respondent reporting an amount of fuel consumed and the distance travelled on that fuel (for all or part of the period). If records have not been kept during the reference period, it can be difficult for the provider to provide or reasonably estimate fuel consumption. If this is the case the fuel consumption rate is imputed from the average of 'like' responding providers.
22 Additional imputation is needed due to questionnaire non-response and is called full imputation. The tables below show the percentage contribution to the estimates from both partial and full imputation.
CONTRIBUTION TO ESTIMATES FROM IMPUTATION(a), State/territory of registration |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Percentage of total kilometres travelled | Percentage of total tonne-kilometres travelled | Percentage of fuel consumption |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % |
|
New South Wales | 17 | 26 | 42 |
Victoria | 15 | 31 | 38 |
Queensland | 18 | 25 | 39 |
South Australia | 16 | 25 | 37 |
Western Australia | 14 | 23 | 37 |
Tasmania | 18 | 23 | 46 |
Northern Territory | 30 | 41 | 58 |
Australian Capital Territory | 19 | 28 | 37 |
Australia | 16 | 27 | 39 |
|
(a) Includes both partial and full imputation |
CONTRIBUTION TO ESTIMATES FROM IMPUTATION(a), Type of vehicle |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Percentage of total kilometres travelled | Percentage of total tonne-kilometres travelled | Percentage of fuel consumption |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % |
|
Passenger vehicles | 17 | . . | 43 |
Motor cycles | 16 | . . | 34 |
Light commercial vehicles | 17 | 41 | 40 |
Rigid trucks | 14 | 28 | 36 |
Articulated trucks | 14 | 26 | 27 |
Non-freight carrying vehicles | 12 | . . | 32 |
Buses | 10 | . . | 19 |
Total | 16 | 27 | 39 |
|
. . not applicable |
(a) Includes both partial and full imputation |
SURVEY PROCEDURES
23 The survey is comprised of four independent samples, with a different one used for each 3 month quarter in the overall 12 month survey period. Estimates from each of these samples are aggregated and adjusted for new motor vehicles and re-registrations of vehicles to produce an annual estimate.
Adjustments
24 The SMVU measures the use of all vehicles registered during the reference year. Because selections are taken from vehicles registered some time before the beginning of each collection period, adjustments are made to account for the change in size of the registered motor vehicle fleet since the population frame was created. For the 2010 SMVU, the frame was created on 31 March 2009. These adjustments involved two categories:
- re-registrations - older vehicles that are returning to the registered vehicle fleet after a period of de-registration, and
- new motor vehicles - vehicles which have not been previously registered.
CONTRIBUTION OF ADJUSTMENTS FOR RE-REGISTRATIONS, Australia |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL KILOMETRES TRAVELLED |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | SMVU 2004 | SMVU 2005 | SMVU 2006 | SMVU 2007 | SMVU 2010 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % | % | % |
|
Type of Vehicle | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Passenger vehicles | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Motor cycles | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Light commercial vehicles | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Rigid trucks | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Articulated trucks | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Non-freight carrying vehicles | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Buses | - | -2 | - | -2 | 6 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
|
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells) |
CONTRIBUTION OF NEW VEHICLES REGISTERED AFTER 31 MARCH |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Percentage of total kilometres travelled |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2010 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % | % | % |
|
Type of vehicle | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Passenger vehicles | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Motor cycles | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Light commercial vehicles | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 10 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Rigid trucks | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Articulated trucks | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 11 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Non-freight carrying trucks | 13 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 8 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Buses | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 5 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 |
|
25 These activities occur continuously and the adjustments are made to account for the registrations that are estimated to have been added to or removed from the registered vehicle fleet between the population frame date and the end of the reference period. The adjustment process also accounts for de-registrations. This means it is possible for the re-registration factor to be negative.
Pre-advice methodology
26 The quality of survey responses is improved by employing a pre-advice methodology. This involves vehicle owners receiving early advice about their inclusion in the survey and encourages a higher degree of record keeping. In addition, the reporting of odometer readings taken at the start and end of the survey periods (approximately three months apart) provide reliable estimates of total distance travelled without a recall bias.
Nil use
27 Some providers may report nil use for the 3 month reference period in which they were selected. Nil use vehicles are live registered vehicles that reported travelling zero kilometres during that specific reference period only. Nil use vehicles are included in the survey as their reported nil use is representative of other vehicles in the population. Vehicles may have nil use due to factors such as seasonal usage, mechanical faults or economic conditions. Where a provider gives a nil use response, a follow-up phone call is used to check the veracity of the response.
Nil use, Vehicle type |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2010 |
Number of registered vehicles with nil use |
|
Passenger vehicles | 406 865 | 393 971 | 409 471 | 456 884 | 561 613 |
Motor cycles | 92 953 | 73 570 | 100 725 | 125 547 | 148 217 |
Light commercial vehicles | 93 220 | 103 683 | 115 841 | 114 241 | 122 227 |
Rigid trucks | 24 214 | 32 944 | 36 263 | 36 660 | 34 647 |
Articulated trucks | 3 967 | 4 105 | 4 340 | 3 680 | 5 165 |
Non-freight carrying trucks | 1 547 | 1 518 | 1 448 | 1 418 | 2 424 |
Buses | 1 319 | 1 303 | 1 343 | 1 510 | 2 831 |
Total | 624 085 | 611 094 | 669 430 | 739 940 | 877 123 |
Proportion of registered vehicles with nil use (%) |
|
Passenger vehicles | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Motor cycles | 24 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 23 |
Light commercial vehicles | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Rigid trucks | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Articulated trucks | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Non-freight carrying trucks | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 |
Buses | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Total | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
28 The following tables provide values for total kilometres travelled and total tonne-kilometres travelled for selected percentiles. These percentiles have been calculated from all values reported in each quarter of the reference period. Percentiles provide some indication of the distribution of vehicle use across the survey population. For example, one-fifth of New South Wales passenger vehicles reported a distance travelled of 1,002 kilometres or less for the quarter they were selected in the survey. Note that the minimum value for every combination of state/territory by type of vehicle for both tables is zero.
29 Users should contact the ABS if they have any queries on the quality and reliability of estimates for particular purposes.
SELECTED PERCENTILES(a), State/territory of registration - Type of vehicle |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | 20th Percentile | 40th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 60th Percentile | 80th Percentile | 95th Percentile | 99th Percentile |
Total kilometres travelled |
|
Passenger vehicles | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 1 002 | 2 078 | 2 523 | 3 178 | 4 749 | 9 167 | 16 122 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 1 121 | 2 350 | 2 788 | 3 232 | 5 130 | 8 397 | 17 227 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 974 | 2 120 | 2 464 | 3 039 | 5 072 | 8 756 | 10 711 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 876 | 1 673 | 2 066 | 2 727 | 4 072 | 6 771 | 11 747 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 1 277 | 2 206 | 2 668 | 3 296 | 4 983 | 8 407 | 14 081 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 897 | 1 632 | 2 227 | 2 818 | 4 570 | 7 833 | 13 269 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 1 249 | 1 956 | 2 468 | 3 082 | 4 978 | 10 381 | 18 740 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | 1 623 | 2 719 | 3 044 | 3 416 | 4 862 | 7 496 | 10 165 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 1 048 | 2 154 | 2 581 | 3 109 | 4 952 | 8 610 | 14 461 |
Motorcycles | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 30 | 350 | 712 | 901 | 1 613 | 4 045 | 4 681 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | - | 18 | 175 | 318 | 1 059 | 2 822 | 5 214 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 4 | 300 | 560 | 837 | 1 872 | 5 537 | 11 259 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | - | 99 | 296 | 513 | 1 414 | 2 809 | 4 725 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | - | 150 | 269 | 430 | 1 136 | 2 362 | 4 579 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | - | 112 | 257 | 354 | 785 | 4 681 | 5 715 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 23 | 284 | 362 | 495 | 1 366 | 5 850 | 18 724 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | - | 292 | 593 | 855 | 1 462 | 4 393 | 5 980 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | - | 195 | 358 | 599 | 1 359 | 4 228 | 7 368 |
Light commercial vehicles | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 1 049 | 3 018 | 3 420 | 4 173 | 6 242 | 13 269 | 18 924 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 724 | 2 692 | 3 823 | 4 467 | 7 621 | 12 516 | 16 294 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 891 | 2 632 | 3 430 | 4 660 | 6 875 | 13 260 | 19 483 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 659 | 1 815 | 2 855 | 4 025 | 6 308 | 10 840 | 14 846 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 967 | 2 699 | 3 491 | 4 146 | 6 216 | 9 967 | 15 941 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 713 | 1 880 | 2 454 | 3 560 | 5 996 | 8 500 | 12 003 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 1 159 | 2 352 | 2 840 | 3 670 | 5 368 | 8 928 | 17 712 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | 1 623 | 3 036 | 3 670 | 4 155 | 6 291 | 9 677 | 13 783 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 901 | 2 652 | 3 430 | 4 269 | 6 753 | 12 784 | 18 924 |
Rigid trucks | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 799 | 2 412 | 3 547 | 4 726 | 8 133 | 16 939 | 33 448 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 407 | 2 160 | 3 384 | 4 451 | 8 947 | 19 245 | 33 471 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 524 | 2 112 | 3 225 | 4 452 | 8 542 | 16 743 | 26 107 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 288 | 1 640 | 2 388 | 3 707 | 7 041 | 14 630 | 36 320 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 59 | 1 411 | 2 484 | 3 776 | 8 111 | 16 440 | 28 327 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 293 | 1 384 | 2 286 | 3 355 | 6 746 | 15 610 | 28 474 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 391 | 1 280 | 1 891 | 2 790 | 5 285 | 10 246 | 19 108 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | 1 740 | 3 607 | 4 298 | 5 391 | 8 730 | 18 889 | 29 061 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 465 | 2 099 | 3 143 | 4 364 | 8 302 | 16 889 | 33 255 |
Articulated trucks | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 3 287 | 10 613 | 14 887 | 20 969 | 37 976 | 57 126 | 72 652 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 1 268 | 9 359 | 14 798 | 21 122 | 42 420 | 60 216 | 91 014 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 3 055 | 12 387 | 18 588 | 26 921 | 43 781 | 60 771 | 79 630 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 1 715 | 6 458 | 11 457 | 16 401 | 38 544 | 62 336 | 106 928 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 1 402 | 8 026 | 12 069 | 17 080 | 30 799 | 56 222 | 89 398 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 2 638 | 12 448 | 16 538 | 22 693 | 32 920 | 55 197 | 70 458 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 260 | 4 687 | 8 563 | 15 504 | 27 466 | 46 687 | 57 880 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | 8 469 | 27 021 | 31 779 | 35 065 | 44 058 | 58 097 | 74 131 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 1 982 | 9 926 | 14 730 | 21 046 | 39 419 | 59 852 | 84 050 |
Non-freight carrying trucks | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 982 | 3 677 | 4 724 | 5 185 | 8 097 | 12 718 | 12 943 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 168 | 567 | 957 | 1 061 | 2 973 | 4 987 | 5 562 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 169 | 641 | 1 428 | 2 504 | 4 973 | 11 476 | 13 539 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | - | 210 | 281 | 618 | 2 031 | 8 070 | 13 874 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 52 | 391 | 683 | 1 012 | 3 818 | 6 834 | 9 783 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 56 | 265 | 336 | 640 | 3 049 | 7 183 | 16 791 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | np | np | np | np | np | np | np |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | np | np | np | np | np | np | np |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 151 | 567 | 1 012 | 1 604 | 4 760 | 9 783 | 12 943 |
Buses | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 2 002 | 3 969 | 5 671 | 6 872 | 10 674 | 20 170 | 37 179 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 1 619 | 3 199 | 5 493 | 6 171 | 9 684 | 22 393 | 37 735 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 1 266 | 2 813 | 3 970 | 4 706 | 9 344 | 22 524 | 34 899 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 2 734 | 4 315 | 5 511 | 6 334 | 12 177 | 19 085 | 25 209 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 961 | 3 354 | 4 768 | 5 991 | 11 426 | 19 786 | 29 165 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 1 144 | 2 811 | 4 615 | 5 588 | 10 481 | 20 372 | 57 473 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | np | np | np | np | np | np | np |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | np | np | np | np | np | np | np |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 1 558 | 3 439 | 4 779 | 6 141 | 10 250 | 20 627 | 34 899 |
Total | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 951 | 2 078 | 2 678 | 3 323 | 5 047 | 11 014 | 17 231 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 985 | 2 295 | 2 788 | 3 260 | 5 241 | 9 790 | 20 537 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 949 | 2 102 | 2 538 | 3 328 | 5 356 | 9 524 | 17 154 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 779 | 1 637 | 2 066 | 2 753 | 4 457 | 8 386 | 13 177 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 1 024 | 2 045 | 2 650 | 3 305 | 5 211 | 9 370 | 15 924 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 741 | 1 585 | 2 226 | 2 836 | 4 909 | 8 002 | 13 815 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 1 076 | 1 956 | 2 489 | 3 094 | 5 219 | 10 473 | 20 614 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | 1 477 | 2 566 | 3 008 | 3 416 | 4 880 | 7 496 | 16 152 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 949 | 2 090 | 2 627 | 3 233 | 5 156 | 9 768 | 17 231 |
|
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells) |
np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated |
(a) Based on distance travelled in a quarter. |
Selected percentiles(a), State/territory of registration - Type of freight vehicle |
|
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | 20th Percentile | 40th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 60th Percentile | 80th Percentile | 95th Percentile | 99th Percentile |
Total tonne-kilometres travelled |
|
Light commercial vehicles | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | - | - | 60 | 178 | 1 093 | 5 171 | 8 943 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | - | - | 8 | 148 | 1 161 | 3 896 | 7 719 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | - | - | - | 64 | 942 | 3 430 | 6 774 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | - | - | 43 | 272 | 1 083 | 3 033 | 9 150 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | - | - | 59 | 202 | 1 096 | 3 694 | 5 569 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | - | - | - | 12 | 490 | 2 493 | 6 319 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | - | - | - | 155 | 1 011 | 4 116 | 5 858 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | - | - | 54 | 238 | 998 | 3 423 | 5 995 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | - | - | 12 | 142 | 1 012 | 3 847 | 7 698 |
Rigid trucks | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 313 | 1 742 | 2 950 | 5 196 | 17 476 | 86 100 | 310 690 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 168 | 1 914 | 3 059 | 5 436 | 16 432 | 80 329 | 278 747 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 390 | 2 608 | 4 360 | 6 687 | 19 495 | 87 642 | 307 929 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 103 | 1 882 | 3 215 | 5 707 | 15 680 | 71 256 | 292 628 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | - | 1 333 | 2 818 | 6 398 | 18 219 | 69 883 | 545 218 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 20 | 1 112 | 2 416 | 4 560 | 14 467 | 69 498 | 272 805 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 304 | 1 170 | 2 631 | 3 933 | 10 036 | 36 181 | 71 090 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | 748 | 3 472 | 5 244 | 7 949 | 24 714 | 98 215 | 362 912 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 205 | 1 811 | 3 264 | 5 653 | 17 677 | 78 851 | 299 975 |
Articulated trucks | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | New South Wales | 30 641 | 109 445 | 164 512 | 262 691 | 717 700 | 1 515 028 | 2 390 542 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Victoria | 10 318 | 79 663 | 151 576 | 264 868 | 746 431 | 1 575 076 | 2 435 911 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queensland | 28 835 | 134 058 | 237 948 | 381 920 | 910 182 | 1 731 980 | 2 107 508 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | South Australia | 10 197 | 70 353 | 141 050 | 235 910 | 800 413 | 2 118 103 | 3 368 246 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Western Australia | 14 584 | 91 838 | 158 834 | 263 972 | 690 637 | 2 176 265 | 4 856 542 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Tasmania | 23 744 | 163 474 | 268 653 | 331 722 | 528 739 | 1 342 085 | 1 947 699 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Northern Territory | 284 | 48 820 | 173 129 | 271 320 | 752 675 | 1 680 626 | 2 701 238 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Capital Territory | 76 221 | 344 787 | 447 975 | 522 560 | 967 275 | 1 324 880 | 1 861 879 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | 18 101 | 105 689 | 169 454 | 290 235 | 768 299 | 1 656 959 | 2 996 112 |
|
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells) |
(a) Based on distance travelled in a quarter |