Coping with a crisis : lessons from the events of a year ago.

For one week in September 2000 UK motorists were unable to buy petrol and were uncertain how long it would be before they could do so again. Journeys by car that would previously have been taken for granted were scrutinised and assessed in terms of their necessity and efficiency. With cars a central part of so many people's lifestyles, it is not surprising that the public react with caution to transport policies that could restrict use of their cars. Opportunities to explore the response in practice of car users when use of their cars is compromised are rare. The fuel crisis presented such an opportunity on an unprecedented scale. The crisis was, in effect, a nationwide experiment in what happens when individuals are forced to confront their dependence on their cars and to consider different means of travel and alternative ways of going about their daily routines. This paper describes how a car users' questionnaire survey was undertaken at very short notice immediately after the fuel crisis. It explains how the questionnaire was designed to capture detailed effects of the fuel crisis on people's travel behaviour. The paper provides an overview of the rationale behind the survey, the survey approach and some initial indications from the survey data. The paper includes a copy of the fuel crisis survey.