|
Wickenburg Bypass
Opinion Survey
Report, May 1999
INTRODUCTIONThis study was commissioned by Sverdrup Civil, Inc. on behalf of its
client the Arizona Department of Transportation. The primary purpose of this research was
to determine the attitudes of Wickenburg residents, business operators and visitors about
the proposed Wickenburg realignment of US 60 and US 93. More specifically, this project
addressed the following issues:
- Knowledge of and general attitudes about the proposed bypass;
- Attitudes about ADOT's handling of the bypass planning effort;
- Methods of gathering public input and disseminating information on
the bypass issue;
- Importance of selected considerations during the planning effort;
- Preferred location of the proposed bypass;
- Reaction to a short-term solution to downtown traffic; and
- Wickenburg business patterns
The information contained in this report is
based on three individual research efforts:
1) A Wickenburg Resident Survey consisting of 226
in-depth telephone interviews conducted with Wickenburg heads of household.
2) A Wickenburg Business Survey consisting of 145
in-depth telephone interviews conducted with Wickenburg business owners and managers.
3) A Wickenburg Visitor Survey consisting of 199
intercept interviews conducted with Wickenburg visitors.
All of the interviewing on this project was
conducted in February, 1999 by professional interviewers of the Behavior Research Center.
For a detailed description of the procedures followed during the conducting of the
project, please refer to the methodology section of this report.
The Behavior Research Center has presented all of
the data germane to the basic research objectives of this project. However, if Sverdrup or
ADOT management requires additional data retrieval or analysis, we stand ready to provide
such input.
BEHAVIOR RESEARCH CENTER
OVERVIEW
Knowledge of and General Attitudes About Proposed
Bypass (tables 1-6)
- Six out of ten residents (60%) and nearly eight out of ten businesses
(77%) indicate they know either a lot or some about the proposed bypass.
- Better than nine out of ten (94%) residents and businesses believe
the bypass issue is important to Wickenburg.
- Eighty-two percent of residents and 67 percent of businesses believe
building a bypass around Wickenburg is a good idea. The primary reason that both residents
and businesses view the bypass as a good idea is a belief that it will reduce downtown
Wickenburg traffic. On the flip side, a perceived negative economic impact on the
Wickenburg economy is viewed as the main reason for believing the bypass is a bad idea.
- Both residents (77%) and businesses (75%) express a strong desire for
a lot more information on the pros and cons of the various bypass routes being considered.
- A majority of both residents (74%) and businesses (65%) do not
believe a bypass will have a major negative impact on local business over the long-term
(10 - 15 years). The two groups disagree, however, on the short-term (1 - 5 years) impact
of a bypass on local business with a majority of residents (52%) believing it will not
have a negative impact compared to only 42 percent of businesses who believe it will not
(53% believe it will).
- Both residents (62%) and businesses (70%) agree with the position
that a bypass will affect them even is it is not built for 10 to 12 years.
- A majority of both residents (63%) and businesses (67%) agree with
the position that there should not be a rush to build a bypass.
Attitudes About ADOT's Handling of Bypass Planning
Effort (Tables 7-9)
- By roughly a two to one ratio, both residents and businesses give
ADOT a satisfactory rating in terms of the job it is doing handling bypass planning
efforts B residents 65 percent, businesses 70 percent.
- Six out of ten residents (59%) and businesses (60%) give ADOT a
positive evaluation (excellent, good) regarding its efforts to gather public input on
where to locate a bypass.
- A plurality of residents (42%) and a majority of businesses (53%)
believe the decision on where to locate the bypass has already been made and that
residents and businesses are not being allowed to play a role in the process.
Methods of Gathering Public Input and
Disseminating Information on The Bypass Issue (Tables 10-11)
When residents and businesses were probed on the effectiveness of
several methods by which ADOT can keep the public informed on the bypass planning process,
two of the methods tested received very effective readings from a majority of both
residents and businesses: 1) print articles in the Wickenburg Sun updating residents on
how the planning process is proceeding (71% residents, 67% businesses), and; 2) holding
public information meetings to update residents on how the planning process is proceeding
and allow them to offer their input on the issues (53% residents, 61% businesses). Two
additional methods tested, broadcasting briefing sessions on local public access
television and providing an Internet Web Page, are deemed very effective by only about
one-quarter or less of residents and businesses.
When residents and businesses were asked the likelihood they would
personally utilize each of the four methods, disseminating information on the issue via
articles in the Wickenburg Sun is by far and away the most popular method with 80 percent
of residents and 70 percent of businesses indicating they would definitely read such
articles.
Importance of Selected Considerations During
Planning Effort (Table 12)
- Residents and businesses concur on the top four issues (out of 11)
which should be considered during the bypass planning effort.
- The impact of a bypass route on local traffic
congestion (1st among residents and businesses).
- The impact of a bypass route on local driving
safety (2nd among residents, 3rd among businesses).
- The impact of a bypass on the quality of life in
the Wickenburg area (3rd among residents, 4th among businesses).
- The ease of access to downtown Wickenburg from a
bypass route (4th among residents, 2nd among businesses).
- The seven remaining issues tested also received a
7-10 rating from a majority of both residents and businesses. Further, in only two cases
are there major variations in the responses of residents and businesses. Specifically,
businesses tend to rate the economic impact of a bypass route on local business and the
impact of a bypass on long-term area growth of more importance than do residents.
Preferred Location of Proposed Bypass (Tables 13-16)
- Residents and businesses had mixed views on whether a bypass should
be located close to town or well away from town, with residents split on the issue (48%
close in, 47% well away) and businesses strongly in favor of the close in option B 62
percent vs. 34 percent.
- Both residents and businesses preferred the southwest corridor over
the northeast corridor with residents expressing a particularly strong preference for the
southwest corridor B residents 54 percent southwest vs 27 percent northeast; businesses 48
percent southwest vs. 33 percent northeast.
- A majority of both residents and businesses indicated they are
satisfied with the proposed distance of each of the two proposed bypass corridors from
downtown Wickenburg. However, roughly one-third of the businesses expressed a preference
for moving each corridor closer to town.
Reaction To Short-Term Solution To Downtown Traffic
(Table 17)
- Better than seven out of ten residents and businesses believe it is
good idea to consider a short-term solution to address downtown traffic congestion. The
primary reasons both residents and businesses believe a short-term solution may be a bad
idea is the cost involved and the possibility it may become a permanent solution.
Wickenburg Business Patterns (Tables 18-23)
Eighty-four percent of local retailers1 indicated that at
least a portion of their business revenues came from pass through traffic compared to a
reading of only 46 percent among non-retail businesses.
Retail businesses who reported pass through revenues indicated they
would expect to lose roughly 20 percent of their pass through traffic and non-retailers,
ten percent of their pass through traffic if either bypass route were built.
Seventy-seven percent of local retailers and 57 percent of
non-retailers indicated that at least some of their customers who do not live in or near
Wickenburg travel to the town specifically to visit their establishment.
Fifty-nine percent of local retailers and 65 percent of non-retailers
believe the proposed southwest bypass route would have only a minor or no negative
economic impact on Wickenburg businesses. The readings are nearly identical for the
northeast route with retailers offering a minor/no impact reading of 61 percent and
non-retailers 64 percent.
Thirty-four percent of retailers and 29 percent of non-retailers
indicted they would close or sell their business if either of the bypasses were built in
ten to twelve years and their revenues dropped 50 percent. In comparison, 23 percent of
retailers and 33 percent of non-retailers indicate they would relocate.
Visitation Patterns Among Wickenburg Visitors
(Tables 24-30)
- Forty-two percent of visitor trips to Wickenburg originate in metro
Phoenix while 20 percent originate in other areas of Arizona and 38 percent out of state.
Conversely, 54 percent end in metro Phoenix, 18 percent other areas of Arizona and 28
percent out of state.
- The primary reasons visitors gave for stopping in Wickenburg are
sight seeing (47%) and to eat a meal (20%).
- The most frequently visited businesses by visitors are
restaurants/bars (48%), antique shops (22%), gas stations (13%) and museums/galleries
(10%).
- Eighty-three percent of visitors indicated Wickenburg was a planned
stop on their trip while only 17 percent indicated it was a spur of the moment decision.
- Forty-five percent of visitors were making their first visit to
Wickenburg.
- The typical visitor to Wickenburg spends $37 while in town with
roughly one out of four (27%) spending $100 or more.
- Nearly six out of ten visitors (58%) indicated they would still have
visited Wickenburg on their trip even if it would have taken them an extra 20 minutes to
exit a bypass in order to reach the town.
1 Retailers sell merchandise generally in small
quantities to the general public. Approximately one-half of Wickenburg businesses are
retailers.
SUMMARY
OF THE FINDINGS - - RESIDENT AND BUSINESS SURVEYS
Knowledge of and General Attitudes About Proposed
Bypass
Six out of ten residents (60%) indicated they know
either a lot (24%) or some (36%) about the proposed bypass while 33 percent indicated they
know only a little and seven percent nothing at all. Knowledge of the bypass is higher
among the business community with nearly eight out of ten (77%) indicating they know
either a lot (34%) or some (43%) about the proposed bypass.
TABLE 1: KNOWLEDGE OF PROPOSED BYPASS
"To begin, over the past year or so there has
been discussion about realigning US 60-US 93 so that traffic bypasses Wickenburg. Two
primary corridors have been suggested for this bypass, one running southwest and the other
running northeast around downtown Wickenburg. Would you say you know a lot, some, only a
little or nothing at all about this proposed Wickenburg bypass?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| A lot |
24% |
34% |
| Some |
36 |
43 |
| Only a little |
33 |
16 |
| Nothing |
7 |
7 |
| |
100% |
100% |
Continuing with this line of questioning, Table 2
reveals the bypass issue is viewed as either very important or important to Wickenburg by
better than nine out of ten residents (94%) and businesses (94%). This pattern is
consistent across all resident and business subgroups.
TABLE 2: IMPORTANCE OF BYPASS ISSUE
"How important of an issue do you feel this
bypass is to Wickenburg B very important, important, not very important or not at all
important?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Very important |
69% |
72% |
| Important |
25 |
22 |
| Not very important |
3 |
1 |
| Not at all important |
2 |
3 |
| Not sure |
1 |
2 |
| |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When residents and businesses were asked to indicate
if they felt building a bypass around Wickenburg is a good or bad idea, we found that
support for a bypass is somewhat stronger among residents than businesses. Thus, 82
percent of residents stated the bypass is a good idea compared to 67 percent of
businesses. Further, only eight percent of residents and 18 percent of businesses viewed
the bypass as a bad idea.
TABLE 3: ATTITUDE ABOUT BYPASS
"And do you feel building such a bypass around
Wickenburg is a good idea or a bad idea?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Good idea |
82% |
67% |
| Bad idea |
8 |
18 |
| Some of each |
6 |
11 |
| Not sure |
4 |
4 |
| |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the number of residents and businesses
who believe the bypass is a good idea does not drop below a majority within any subgroups,
the following variations are revealed in Table 4:
Residents: Support tends to be highest among
older residents, home owners and residents who have a high level of knowledge about the
bypass.
Businesses: Support tends to be highest among
businesses located closer to the proposed northeast route, non-retail businesses and
businesses who have a higher level of knowledge about the bypass.
TABLE 4: ATTITUDE ABOUT BYPASS -- DETAIL
Residents |
|
Business |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Good
Idea |
Bad
Idea |
|
|
Good
Idea |
Bad
Idea |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
82% |
8% |
|
Total |
67% |
18% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Age |
|
|
|
*Location |
|
|
| Under 35 |
56 |
25 |
|
Northeast |
72 |
16 |
| 35 to 54 |
82 |
8 |
|
Southwest |
57 |
21 |
| 55 or over |
88 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home |
|
|
|
Type Business |
|
|
| Own |
85 |
6 |
|
Retail |
61 |
18 |
| Rent |
69 |
14 |
|
Other |
73 |
18 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Knowledge Level |
|
|
|
Knowledge Level |
|
|
| Lot/Some |
88 |
7 |
|
Lot/Some |
71 |
13 |
| Little/Nothing |
73 |
10 |
|
Little/Nothing |
53 |
36 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * Indicates which proposed route
business is located closest to. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The primary reason that both residents and
businesses view the bypass as a good idea is a belief that it will reduce downtown
Wickenburg traffic. On the flip side, a perceived negative economic impact on the
Wickenburg economy is viewed as the main reason for believing the bypass is a bad idea.
TABLE 5: REASONS BELIEVE BYPASS GOOD/BAD IDEA
"Why do you feel that way?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Good Idea |
|
|
|
|
|
| Less traffic (Net) |
77% |
71% |
Less pollution/Environ-
mental issues (Net) |
9 |
11 |
| Safety (Net) |
6 |
11 |
| |
|
|
| Bad Idea |
|
|
|
|
|
| Economy (Net) |
9 |
24 |
Reduce tourism/Isolate
the town
|
3 |
6 |
| |
|
|
| No comment/Neutral |
2 |
1 |
| Not sure |
5 |
2 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The final question in this section asked residents
and businesses a series of agree/disagree questions regarding various bypass issues. This
line of inquiry revealed the following patterns:
- Both residents (77%) and businesses (75%) express a strong desire for
a lot more information on the pros and cons of the various bypass routes being considered.
- A majority of both residents (74%) and businesses (65%) do not
believe a bypass will have a major negative impact on local business over the long-term
(10 - 15 years). The two groups disagree, however, on the short-term (1 - 5 years) impact
of a bypass on local business with a majority of residents (52%) believing it will not
have a negative impact compared to only 42 percent of businesses who believe it will not
(53% believe it will).
- Both residents (62%) and businesses (70%) agree with the position
that a bypass will affect them even is it is not built for 10 to 12 years.
- A majority of both residents (63%) and businesses (67%) agree with
the position that there should not be a rush to build a bypass, regardless of location.
TABLE 6: REACTION TO AGREE/DISAGREE
STATEMENTS
"Next, I'd like to read you some statements
that have been made about the bypass. As I do, please just tell me if you strongly agree,
agree, disagree or strongly disagree with each one."
| |
Residents |
Businesses |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Agree |
Disagree |
1 Net
Agree/
(Disagree) |
Agree |
Disagree |
1 Net
Agree/
(Disagree) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Need More Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I would
like to have a lot more information on the pros and cons of the various bypass routes
being considered. |
77% |
20% |
57 |
75% |
23% |
52 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Business Impact |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A bypass
will have a major negative impact on local businesses over the short term, say 1 to 5
years after it is built. |
42 |
52 |
(10) |
53 |
42 |
11 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A bypass
will have a major negative impact on local businesses over the long term, say 10 to 15
years after it is built. |
18 |
74 |
(56) |
28 |
65 |
(37) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Affect On Me |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Any
bypass that's built won't be open for another 10 or 12 years so it doesn't really affect
me. |
35 |
62 |
(27) |
29 |
70 |
(41) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Just Do It |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I don't
really care where they put a bypass, I just wish they'd hurry up and build one. |
34 |
63 |
(29) |
31 |
67 |
(36) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 Total agree minus
total disagree. |
|
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attitudes About ADOT's Handling of Bypass Planning
Effort
Wickenburg residents and businesses were asked
several questions regarding the job ADOT is doing handling the bypass planning effort and
whether or not the public is being afforded an adequate opportunity to participate in the
process. This line of inquiry revealed the following attitudes among Wickenburg residents
and businesses:
- By roughly a two to one ratio, both residents and businesses gave
ADOT a satisfactory rating in terms of the job it is doing handling bypass planning
efforts. Thus we found 65 percent of residents and 70 percent of businesses with an
opinion, giving ADOT positive marks (very satisfied, satisfied) compared to 35 percent of
residents and 30 percent of businesses who offer negative marks (not very satisfied, not
at all satisfied).
TABLE 7: SATISFACTION WITH ADOT'S
HANDLING OF BYPASS PLANNING
(Among those with an opinion)
"Next, the Arizona Department of Transportation
has planning responsibility for the proposed Wickenburg bypass. Would you say you are very
satisfied, satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the job the
department is doing handling the issue?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Very satisfied |
7% |
20% |
| Satisfied |
58 |
50 |
| Not very satisfied |
24 |
25 |
| Not at all satisfied |
11 |
5 |
| |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
| Note: 25% of residents and 23% of
businesses had no opinion. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Roughly six out of ten residents (59%) and businesses (60%) gave ADOT
a positive evaluation (excellent, good) regarding its efforts to gather public input on
where to locate a bypass. Conversely, 41 percent of residents and 40 percent of businesses
offered a negative evaluation (only fair, poor).
TABLE 8: EVALUATION OF ADOT'S EFFORTS
IN GATHERING PUBLIC INPUT
(Among those with an opinion)
"And would you say the Department has done an
excellent, good, only fair, or poor job of gathering public input on where the bypass
should be located?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Excellent |
12% |
12% |
| Good |
47 |
48 |
| Only fair |
27 |
31 |
| Poor |
14 |
9 |
| |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
| Note: 11% of residents and 12% of
businesses had no opinion. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- A plurality of residents (42%) and a majority of businesses (53%)
believed the decision on where to locate the bypass has already been made and that
residents and businesses are not being allowed to play a role in the process.
TABLE 9: ATTITUDES ABOUT PUBLIC'S
ROLE IN BYPASS LOCATION DECISION
(Among those with an opinion)
"Do you feel that Wickenburg
(residents/business people) such as yourself are being allowed to play a meaningful role
in determining where the bypass should be located, only a limited role in determining
where the bypass should be located, or do you feel the decision on where the bypass should
be located has already been made?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Allowed meaningful role |
17% |
16% |
| Only limited role |
41 |
31 |
| Decision already made |
42 |
53 |
| |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
| Note: 11% of residents and 10% of
businesses had no opinion. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Methods of Gathering Public Input and Disseminating
Information on The Bypass Issue
When residents and businesses are probed on the
effectiveness of several methods by which ADOT can keep the public informed on the bypass
planning process, two of the methods tested received very effective readings from a
majority of both residents and businesses.
- Print articles in the Wickenburg Sun updating residents on how the
planning process is proceeding (71% residents, 67% businesses).
- Hold public information meetings to update residents on how the
planning process is proceeding and allow them to offer their input on the issues (53%
residents, 61% businesses).
Two additional methods tested, broadcasting briefing
sessions on local public access television and providing an Internet Web Page, are deemed
very effective by only about one-quarter or less of residents and businesses.
TABLE 10: EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS METHODS
OF GATHERING PUBLIC INPUT
"Next, there are a variety of ways the
Arizona Department of Transportation can keep the public informed on the bypass planning
process and gather public input on the issue. I'd like to read you several of the ways,
and as I do, please just tell me if you feel each is a very effective, somewhat effective
or not very effective way to keep the public involved in the bypass planning effort."
| |
Among
Residents |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Very |
Some-
what |
Not
Very |
Not
Sure |
Print articles in the
Wickenburg Sun updating residents on how the planning process is proceeding |
71% |
26% |
3% |
*% |
Hold public information
meetings to update residents on how the planningprocess is proceeding and allowthem to
offer their input on the issue |
53 |
36 |
11 |
0 |
Broadcast briefing
sessions on the local public access television channel updating residents on how
theplanning process is proceeding |
26 |
34 |
33 |
7 |
Provide an Internet web
page where residents can review bypass information and send comment messages |
18 |
35 |
36 |
11 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Among
Businesses |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Very |
Some-
what |
Not
Very |
Not
Sure |
Print articles in the
Wickenburg Sun updating residents on how the planning process is proceeding |
67% |
26% |
6% |
1% |
Hold public information
meetings to update residents on how the planning process is proceeding and allow them to
offer their input on the issue |
61 |
30 |
7 |
2 |
Broadcast briefing
sessions on the local public access television channel updating residents on how the
planning process is proceeding |
22 |
34 |
39 |
5 |
Provide an Internet web
page where residents can review bypass information and send comment messages |
22 |
33 |
38 |
7 |
| |
|
|
|
|
*Indicates
% less than .5 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a follow-up to the previous question, residents
and businesses were asked the likelihood they would personally utilize each of the four
methods under discussion. Here we find that disseminating information on the issue via
articles in the Wickenburg Sun is by far and away the most popular method with 80 percent
of residents and 70 percent of business indicating they would definitely read such
articles.
TABLE 11: PERSONAL USE OF VARIOUS
PUBLIC INPUT METHODS
"Now let's go through the list again, but this
time tell me if you personally would definitely, probably or probably not do each?"
| |
Among
Residents |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Defi-
nitely |
Prob-
ably |
Prob-
ably
Not |
Not
Sure |
| |
|
|
|
|
Read articles in The
Wickenburg Sun on the issue |
80% |
15% |
5% |
0% |
Attend public meetings
on the issue |
27 |
34 |
37 |
2 |
Watch broadcasts on
local public access television channel on the issue |
23 |
24 |
49 |
4 |
Visit an Internet web
page where you could review bypass information and send comment messages |
17 |
12 |
67 |
4 |
| |
Among
Businesses |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Defi-
nitely |
Prob-
ably |
Prob-
ably
Not |
Not
Sure |
| |
|
|
|
|
Read articles in The
Wickenburg Sun on the issue |
70% |
17% |
13% |
0% |
Attend public meetings
on the issue |
33 |
31 |
36 |
0 |
Visit an Internet web
page where you could review bypass information and send comment messages |
23 |
17 |
59 |
1 |
Watch broadcasts on
local public access television channel on the issue |
15 |
23 |
61 |
1 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Importance of Selected Considerations During
Planning Effort
Residents and businesses were asked to rate the
importance of considering 11 specific issues during the bypass planning effort. As may be
seen on Table 12, residents and businesses concur on the top four issues to be considered,
however, in varying rank order:
- The impact of a bypass route on local traffic congestion (1st
among residents and businesses).
- The impact of a bypass route on local driving safety (2nd
residents, 3rd businesses).
- The impact of a bypass on the quality of life in the Wickenburg area
(3rd residents, 4th businesses).
- The ease of access to downtown Wickenburg from a bypass route (4th
residents, 2nd businesses).
While the above four issues rank highest among both
residents and businesses, the table also reveals that in no case do any of the seven
remaining issues receive a 7-10 rating from less than a majority of either residents or
businesses.
Also notice in Table 12, that in only two cases are
there major variations in the responses of residents and businesses. Specifically,
businesses tend to rate the economic impact of a bypass route on local businesses and the
impact of a bypass on long-term area growth of more importance than do residents.
TABLE 12: IMPORTANCE OF SELECTED
CONSIDERATIONS DURING PLANNING EFFORT
"Next, on a scale of 1 to 10,where 1 means not
at all important and 10 means very important, how important do you feel it is to consider
each of the following issues during the bypass planning effort"
| |
Resident |
|
Business |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
7-10
Rating |
Mean
Rating |
|
7-10
Rating |
Mean
Rating |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| The impact of a bypass route on local
traffic congestion |
93% |
9.1 |
|
92% |
9.2 |
| The impact of a bypass route on local
driving safety |
88 |
8.7 |
|
87 |
8.6 |
| The impact of a bypass on the quality of
life in the Wickenburg area |
82 |
8.3 |
|
77 |
8.2 |
| The ease of access to downtown Wickenburg
from a bypass route |
74 |
7.8 |
|
86 |
8.8 |
| The ease of access to a bypass route for
Wickenburg area residents |
69 |
7.7 |
|
72 |
7.9 |
| The impact of a bypass route on local air
pollution |
68 |
7.7 |
|
68 |
7.3 |
| The impact of a bypass route on local
noise pollution |
72 |
7.6 |
|
66 |
7.4 |
| The impact of a bypass on the long term
growth of the Wickenburg area |
69 |
7.5 |
|
77 |
8.1 |
| The impact of a bypass route on the loss
of private property |
59 |
7.0 |
|
57 |
6.8 |
| The visual look or attractiveness of a
bypass route |
58 |
6.8 |
|
61 |
7.1 |
| The economic impact of a bypass route on
local business |
53 |
6.5 |
|
71 |
8.0 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Note: The higher the mean, the
higher the consideration |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When residents were asked if there are any other
issues besides the 11 mentioned which should receive consideration, no meaningful
suggestions were offered.
Preferred Location of Proposed Bypass
Residents and businesses were next asked several
questions on where they would prefer the bypass to be located. Looking first at the issue
of whether a bypass should be located close to town or well away from town, we find mixed
views among residents and businesses. Thus, we find residents split on the issue (48%
close in, 47% well away) and businesses strongly in favor of the close in option, 62
percent vs. 34 percent.
TABLE 13: PREFERRED BYPASS LOCATION B
CLOSE IN VS. FAR OUT
"Next, which one of the following two
statements is closest to your feeling about the proposed bypass?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Any bypass that is built needs to be
located close to town so that travelers on the bypass can have easy access to Wickenburg
businesses |
48% |
62% |
| Any bypass that is built needs to be
located well away from town so that it has minimal impact on Wickenburg residents |
47 |
34 |
| Not sure |
5 |
4 |
| |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When residents were asked about their preferred
bypass corridor, both residents and businesses selected the southwest corridor over the
northeast corridor with residents having a particularly strong preference for the
southwest corridor B residents 54 percent southwest vs. 27 percent northeast; businesses
48 percent southwest vs. 33 percent northeast.
TABLE 14: PREFERRED BYPASS CORRIDOR B
SOUTHWEST VS. NORTHEAST
"As mentioned earlier, two primary corridors
are being considered for the route of a Wickenburg bypass that would be built in the next
10 to 12 years. Both corridors start south of town near the junction of US 60 and State
Route 74. The southwest corridor would swing west around town crossing the Hassayampa
River, Vulture Mine Road and US 60 and then connect to US 93 north of town. The northeast
corridor would swing east around town, crossing Constellation Road, Rincon Road, the
Hassayampa River and then connect to US 93 north of town. Would you prefer to see the
bypass built on the southwest route or the northeast route I just described, or doesn't it
matter to you one way or the other?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Southwest |
54% |
48% |
| Northeast |
27 |
33 |
| Doesn't matter |
12 |
12 |
| Don't want any bypass |
5 |
2 |
| Not sure |
2 |
5 |
| |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When corridor preference is analyzed by subgroups,
the following patterns are revealed:
Residents: Preference for the southwest
corridor tends to increase with age and is highest among homeowners and residents who have
a higher level of knowledge about the bypass.
Businesses: Preference for the southwest
corridor is highest among businesses located closer to the northeast corridor, non-retail
businesses and businesses who have a higher level of knowledge about the bypass.
TABLE 15: PREFERRED BYPASS CORRIDOR -- DETAIL
Residents |
|
Business |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Southwest |
Northeast |
|
|
Southwest |
Northeast |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
54% |
27% |
|
Total |
48% |
33% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| *Location |
|
|
|
*Location |
|
|
| Northeast |
54 |
29 |
|
Northeast |
51 |
33 |
| Southwest |
56 |
25 |
|
Southwest |
41 |
34 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home |
|
|
|
Type Business |
|
|
| Own |
57 |
26 |
|
Retail |
42 |
38 |
| Rent |
38 |
33 |
|
Other |
55 |
29 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Knowledge Level |
|
|
|
Knowledge Level |
|
|
| Lot/Some |
61 |
29 |
|
Lot/Some |
56 |
30 |
| Little/Nothing |
44 |
25 |
|
Little/Nothing |
22 |
44 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Age |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Under 35 |
31 |
31 |
|
|
|
|
| 35 to 54 |
42 |
33 |
|
|
|
|
| 55 or over |
65 |
23 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| * Indicates which proposed route
home/business is located closest to. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After residents and businesses had selected their
preferred bypass corridor, they were asked if they would prefer to see their selected
corridor located closer in or farther away than currently proposed. As may be seen in
Table 16, a majority of both residents and businesses are satisfied with the proposed
distance of each of the two corridors from downtown Wickenburg. Note, however, that
roughly one-third of businesses indicated a preference for moving each corridor closer to
town.
TABLE 16: PREFERRED LOCATION OF SELECTED
BYPASS CORRIDOR
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Among Those Preferring Southwest
Corridor |
|
|
| |
|
|
"The southwest
route of the bypass being considered would come within approximately five miles of
downtown Wickenburg at the point where it crossed US 60. Would you prefer to see the
bypass located closer than five miles or farther than five miles from downtown Wickenburg
at the point where it crosses US 60, or do you feel the five mile distance is
appropriate?" |
|
|
| |
|
|
Closer than five
|
18% |
30% |
Farther than five
|
16 |
15 |
Five appropriate
|
63 |
54 |
Not sure
|
3 |
1 |
| |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
| Among Those Preferring Northeast
Corridor |
|
|
| |
|
|
"The northeast
route of the bypass would come within approximately two miles of downtown Wickenburg at
the point where it crosses Constellation Road. Would you prefer to see the bypass located
closer than two miles or farther than two miles from downtown Wickenburg at the point
where it crosses constellation Road, or do you feel the two mile distance is
appropriate?" |
|
|
| |
|
|
Closer than two
|
15% |
36% |
Farther than two
|
12 |
11 |
Two appropriate
|
71 |
51 |
Not sure
|
2 |
2 |
| |
100 |
100 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reaction To Short-Term Solution To Downtown Traffic
Better than seven out of ten residents (74%) and
businesses (73%) believe it is a good idea to consider a short-term solution to address
downtown traffic congestion. The primary reasons both residents and businesses believe a
short-term solution may be a bad idea is the cost involved and the possibility it may
become a permanent solution.
TABLE 17: ATTITUDE ABOUT SHORT-TERM
SOLUTION
TO DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC
"Next, since it would be 10 to 12 years before
either of the two bypass routes we just discussed could be built, some people have
suggested that an interim, short-term solution to downtown traffic congestion be
considered. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Good idea |
74% |
73% |
| Bad idea |
19 |
22 |
| Not sure |
7 |
5 |
| |
100% |
100% |
"Why do you feel it is a bad idea?"
| |
Resident |
Business |
| |
|
|
| Too expensive, waste of money |
37% |
31% |
| Would become permanent solution |
33 |
49 |
| Would take too long |
13 |
10 |
| Would take private land |
11 |
6 |
| Other mentions |
12 |
15 |
| Not sure |
4 |
8 |
| |
|
|
| *Total exceeds 100% due to
multiple response |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wickenburg Business Patterns
Wickenburg business owners and managers were asked a
series of questions regarding their current business pattens and how a bypass might impact
these patterns. This line of questioning revealed the following key findings:
- Eighty-four percent of local retailers indicated that at least a
portion of their business revenues came from pass through traffic compared to a reading of
only 46 percent among non-retail businesses. Also note that nearly one-third of retailers
(29%) indicated that 50 percent or more of their business revenues came from pass through
traffic.
TABLE 18: PERCENT OF BUSINESS
REVENUES FROM PASS THROUGH TRAFFIC
"Next, approximately what percent of your
business revenue comes from pass through traffic? That is, from people who do not live in
or near the Wickenburg area and are simply driving through to some other
destination?"
| |
Business
Type |
| |
|
|
| |
Retail |
Non-Retail |
| |
|
|
| Zero |
16% |
54% |
| 1 to 24 |
46 |
23 |
| 25 to 49 |
9 |
9 |
| 50 to 74 |
9 |
8 |
| 75 or more |
20 |
6 |
| |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
| Mean |
29.2 |
13.7 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When those businesses who reported pass through revenues were asked
to indicate what percent of this traffic they would expect to lose if either of the two
proposed routes were built, we found that 71 percent of retailers and 48 percent of
non-retailers indicated losses if the southwest route were built while 67 percent of
retailers and 59 percent of non-retailers indicated losses if the northeast route were
built. Also note, in Table 19 that, as might be expected, the percentage of loss
correlated directly to the current volume of pass through revenues a business is doing.
TABLE 19: IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE ROUTES
ON LOSS OF PASS THROUGH REVENUES
(Among Businesses That Report Pass Through Revenues)
"What percent of your current pass through
traffic revenues, if any, do you feel you would lose if the Wickenburg bypass were built
along the southwest route?"
| |
Business
Type |
|
Current
Pass
Through Revenue % |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Retail |
Non-Retail |
|
Under
25 |
25 to
49 |
50 Or More |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Zero |
29% |
52% |
|
52% |
17% |
22% |
| 1 to 24 |
41 |
31 |
|
46 |
42 |
18 |
| 25 to 49 |
6 |
10 |
|
0 |
25 |
15 |
| 50 to 74 |
16 |
4 |
|
2 |
8 |
30 |
| 75 or more |
8 |
3 |
|
0 |
8 |
15 |
| |
100% |
100% |
|
100% |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mean |
19.7 |
10.9 |
|
4.5 |
26 |
33.4 |
"And what percent, if any, do you feel you
would lose if it were built along the northeast route?"
| Zero |
33% |
41% |
|
50% |
17% |
22% |
| 1 to 24 |
32 |
41 |
|
46 |
42 |
15 |
| 25 to 49 |
11 |
14 |
|
0 |
33 |
26 |
| 50 to 74 |
14 |
4 |
|
2 |
8 |
22 |
| 75 or more |
10 |
0 |
|
2 |
0 |
15 |
| |
100% |
100% |
|
100% |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mean |
22.9 |
9.9 |
|
6.6 |
20.4 |
35.8 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seventy-seven percent of local retailers and 57 percent of
non-retailers indicated that at least some of their customers who do not live in or near
Wickenburg travel to the town specifically to visit their establishment.
TABLE 20: PERCENT OF NON-WICKENBURG
CUSTOMERS WHO TRAVEL TO TOWN SPECIFICALLY
TO VISIT BUSINESS
"What percent of your customers who do not live
in or near Wickenburg, if any, do you feel travel to Wickenburg specifically to visit your
business?"
| |
Business
Type |
| |
|
|
| |
Retail |
Non-Retail |
| |
|
|
| Zero |
23% |
43% |
| 1 to 24 |
35 |
39 |
| 25 to 49 |
20 |
2 |
| 50 to 74 |
13 |
5 |
| 75 or more |
9 |
11 |
| |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
| Mean |
25.1 |
18.0 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fifty-nine percent of local retailers and 65 percent of
non-retailers believe the proposed southwest bypass route would have only a minor or no
negative economic impact on Wickenburg businesses while 37 percent of retailers and 32
percent of non-retailers believe it would have a major impact. The readings are nearly
identical for the northeast route with retailers offering a minor/no impact reading of 61
percent and non-retailers 64 percent.
TABLE 21: ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PROPOSED
CORRIDORS ON AREA BUSINESSES
Southwest Route
"Thinking about the overall business
community in the Wickenburg area, if the bypass were built along the southwest
route, do you feel it would have a major negative, a minor negative or no negative
economic impact on area businesses?"
| |
Business
Type |
| |
|
|
| |
Retail |
Non-Retail |
| |
|
|
| Major |
37% |
32% |
| Minor |
39 |
45 |
| None |
20 |
20 |
| Not sure |
4 |
3 |
| |
100% |
100% |
Northeast Route
"And what if the bypass were built along
the northeast route, then do you feel it would have a major negative, minor
negative or no negative economic impact on area businesses?"
| |
Business
Type |
| |
|
|
| |
Retail |
Non-Retail |
| |
|
|
| Major |
34% |
29% |
| Minor |
48 |
44 |
| None |
13 |
20 |
| Not sure |
5 |
7 |
| |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By far and away, the most common media Wickenburg businesses use to
attract pass through customers is newspaper advertising. Additionally, slightly over four
out of ten local businesses indicate they do nothing to attract pass through customers.
TABLE 22: MEDIA UTILIZED TO ATTRACT
PASS THROUGH CUSTOMERS
"Do you rely on any of the following types of
media to attract pass through customers to your business?"
| |
Business
Type |
| |
|
|
| |
Retail |
Non-Retail |
| |
|
|
| Newspaper ads |
44% |
41% |
| Radio ads |
19 |
6 |
| Magazine ads |
13 |
6 |
| Billboard |
11 |
2 |
| Roadside signs |
10 |
9 |
| TV ads |
8 |
3 |
| |
|
|
| None of the above |
41 |
44 |
| |
|
|
| *Total exceeds 100% due to
multiple responses |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When businesses were asked what they would do if either of the
bypasses were built in ten to 12 years and their revenues dropped 50 percent, 34 percent
of retailers and 29 percent of non-retailers indicated they would close or sell their
business. In comparison, 23 percent of retailers and 33 percent of non-retailers indicated
they would relocate.
TABLE 23: ACTION TAKEN IF BYPASS IMPACTED
BUSINESS REVENUES
"If either of the two bypass routes were built
in 10 to 12 years and you discovered that it reduced your business revenues by 50 percent,
which of the following things would you do: close or sell your business, relocate your
business or do nothing?"
| |
Business
Type |
| |
|
|
| |
Retail |
Non-Retail |
| |
|
|
| Close/sell |
34% |
29% |
| Relocate |
23 |
33 |
| Nothing |
25 |
29 |
| Not sure |
18 |
9 |
| |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUMMARY
OF THE FINDINGS - - VISITOR SURVEY
The key findings of the Wickenburg Visitor Survey
are as follows:
- Forty-two percent of visitor trips to Wickenburg originate in metro
Phoenix while 20 percent originate in other areas of Arizona and 38 percent are
out-of-state visitors. Conversely, 54 percent end in metro Phoenix, 18 percent in other
areas of Arizona and 28 percent out of state. Additionally, 76 percent of trips that
originate in metro Phoenix also end in metro Phoenix. (Table 24)
- The primary reasons visitors gave for stopping in Wickenburg are
sight-seeing (47%) and to eat a meal (20%).
- The most frequently visited businesses by visitors are
restaurants/bars (48%), antique shops (22%), gas stations (13%) and museums/galleries
(10%). (Table 26)
- Eighty-three percent of visitors indicate Wickenburg was a planned
stop on their trip while only 17 percent indicate it was a spur of the moment decision.
(Table 27)
- Forty-five percent of visitors were making their first visit to
Wickenburg. (Table 28)
- The typical visitor to Wickenburg spends $37 while in town with one
out of four (27%) spending $100 or more. (Table 29)
- Nearly six out of ten visitors (58%) indicate they would still have
visited Wickenburg on their trip even if it would have taken them an extra 20 minutes to
exit a bypass in order to reach the town, 65 percent if an extra 15 minutes, 73 percent if
an extra ten minutes and 86 percent if an extra five minutes. Fourteen percent indicate
they would not have visited if they would have had to exit a bypass to reach the town.
(Table 30)
TABLE 24: TRIP ORIGIN/DESTINATION
"To begin, from where did you start your trip
that lead you to Wickenburg today?"
"And where will you end your trip when you
leave Wickenburg?"
| |
|
Trip Origin |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Trip Destination |
Total |
Metro
Phoenix |
Other
Arizona |
Out Of
State |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
42% |
20% |
38% |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Metro Phoenix |
54 |
76 |
24 |
43 |
| Other Arizona |
18 |
9 |
49 |
12 |
| Out of State |
28 |
15 |
27 |
45 |
| |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE 25: TRIP PURPOSE
"What was your primary reason for stopping in
Wickenburg?"
| |
|
Trip Origin |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Total |
Metro
Phoenix |
Other
Arizona |
Out Of
State |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Sight seeing |
47% |
52% |
33% |
48% |
| Eat a meal |
20 |
24 |
18 |
16 |
| Take tour, visit specific attraction |
13 |
16 |
8 |
15 |
| Shop |
12 |
12 |
13 |
11 |
| Get gas |
9 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
| Visit gun shop |
7 |
3 |
28 |
1 |
| Visit friend, relative |
6 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
| Use restroom |
4 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
| Stay overnight |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| Conduct business |
2 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Total exceeds 100% due to multiple
responses. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE 26: BUSINESSES VISITED
"What businesses, if any, will you visit while
you're in Wickenburg?"
| |
|
Trip Origin |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Total |
Metro
Phoenix |
Other
Arizona |
Out Of
State |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Restaurant/Bar |
48% |
51% |
48% |
40% |
| Antique shop |
22 |
22 |
15 |
25 |
| Gas station |
13 |
11 |
18 |
11 |
| Museum, gallery |
10 |
10 |
8 |
13 |
| Grocery, drug store |
6 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
| Lodging facility |
4 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
| Business, government office |
4 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
| Other retail |
22 |
31 |
18 |
14 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| None |
8 |
4 |
0 |
17 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE 27: PLANNED STOP VS. SPUR OF THE MOMENT
STOP
"Was Wickenburg a planned stop on your trip, or
did you just stop here on the spur of the moment?"
| |
|
Trip Origin |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Total |
Metro
Phoenix |
Other
Arizona |
Out Of
State |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Planned stop |
83% |
89% |
80% |
79% |
| Spur of the moment |
17 |
11 |
20 |
21 |
| |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE 28: PRIOR VISITATIONS
"Is this the first time you have visited
Wickenburg?"
| |
% Yes |
| |
|
| Total |
45% |
| |
|
| Trip Origin |
|
| Metro Phoenix |
40 |
| Other Arizona |
48 |
| Out of state |
49 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE 29: WICKENBURG SPENDING
"How much money, if any, do you estimate you
will spend in Wickenburg today?"
| |
|
Trip Origin |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Total |
Metro
Phoenix |
Other
Arizona |
Out Of
State |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Zero |
2% |
1% |
2% |
4% |
| $1 to $9 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
| $10 to $19 |
17 |
17 |
15 |
18 |
| $20 to $29 |
21 |
21 |
15 |
23 |
| $30 to $49 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
| $50 to $99 |
19 |
19 |
23 |
19 |
| $100 to $149 |
13 |
19 |
10 |
7 |
| $150 or more |
14 |
9 |
18 |
16 |
| |
100% |
101%* |
100% |
100% |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Median |
$37 |
$40 |
$50 |
$29 |
| |
| *Total exceeds 100% due to rounding |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE 30: IMPACT OF BYPASS LOCATION ON
WILLINGNESS TO VISIT
"Let's assume for a moment that a road was
built that swung around Wickenburg and allowed travelers to bypass the town. If this had
been the case during your trip to the area, would you still have come to Wickenburg if it
would have taken you an extra 20 minutes to exit the bypass in order to reach the town?
(CONTINUE TO ASK EACH TIMELINE UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A "YES" RESPONSE OR REACH THE
END) How about an extra 15 minutes, etc?"
| |
|
Trip Origin |
Trip Type |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Minutes |
Total |
Metro
Phoenix |
Other
Arizona |
Out Of
State |
Planned |
Spur of
Moment |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
58% |
63% |
55% |
55% |
68% |
6% |
|
| 15 |
65 |
74 |
63 |
59 |
74 |
21 |
|
| 10 |
73 |
84 |
68 |
64 |
80 |
39 |
|
| 5 |
86 |
94 |
78 |
82 |
90 |
68 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| No to all B would not visit if took extra
time |
14
100% |
6
100% |
22
100% |
18
100% |
10
100% |
32
100% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| *Table reads: 58% of visitors
would still have visited Wickenburg on their trip even if it would have taken them an
extra 20 minutes to exit a bypass in order to reach the town, 65% if 15 minutes, 73% if 10
minutes, 86% if 5 minutes. |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
METHODOLOGY The information contained in this report is based on
three individual research efforts: 1) a Wickenburg Resident Survey; 2) a Wickenburg
Business Survey; and, 3) a Wickenburg Visitor Survey.
Wickenburg Resident Survey
The Wickenburg Resident Survey consisted of 226
in-depth telephone interviews conducted with Wickenburg area heads of household.
Respondent selection was accomplished via a computer-generated, random digit dial
telephone sample which selects households based on residential telephone prefixes and
includes all unlisted and newly listed households. This methodology was selected because
it ensures a randomly selected sample of households proportionately allocated throughout
the sample universe.
All of the interviewing on this project segment was
conducted between February 15 and February 21, 1999 at the Center's central location
computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) facility where each interviewer worked
under the direct supervision of BRC supervisory personnel. All of the interviewers who
worked on this project were professional interviewers of the Center. Each had prior
experience with BRC and received a thorough briefing on the particulars of this study.
During the briefing, the interviewers were trained on: (a) the purpose of the study; (b)
sampling procedures; (c) administration of the questions; and (d) other project-related
factors. In addition, each interviewer completed a set of practice interviews to ensure
that all procedures were understood and followed.
Interviewing on this study was conducted during an
approximately equal cross-section of evening and weekend hours. This procedure was
followed to ensure that all households were equally represented, regardless of work
schedules. Further, during the interviewing segment of this study, up to five separate
attempts, on different days and during different times of day, were made to contact each
selected resident. Only after five unsuccessful attempts was a selected household
substituted in the sample. Using this methodology, the full sample was completed, and
partially completed interviews were not accepted nor counted toward fulfillment of the
total sample quotas.
One hundred percent of the completed interviews were
edited, and any containing errors of administration were pulled, the respondent re-called,
and the errors corrected. In addition, 15 percent of each interviewer's work was randomly
selected for validation to ensure its authenticity and correctness. No problems were
encountered during this phase of interviewing quality control.
As the data collection segment of this study was
being undertaken, completed interviews were turned over to BRC's in-house coding
department. The coding department edited, validated and coded the interviews. Upon
completion of coding, a series of validity and logic checks were run on the data to insure
it was "clean" and representative of the sample universe.
When analyzing the results of this survey, it should
be kept in mind that all surveys are subject to sampling error. Sampling error, stated
simply, is the difference between the results obtained from a sample and those which would
be obtained by surveying the entire population under consideration. The size of sampling
error varies, to some extent, with the number of interviews completed and with the
division of opinion on a particular question.
The sampling error for this study is approximately
+/- 5.0 percent. This sampling error has been calculated at the confidence level most
frequently used by social scientists B the 95 percent level. This sampling error figure is
an average figure that represents the maximum error for the sample base of 226 (i.e., for
the survey findings where the division of opinion is approximately 50%/50%). Survey
findings that show a more one-sided distribution of opinion, such as 70%/30% or 90%/10%,
are usually subject to slightly lower sampling tolerances.
SAMPLE PROFILE B RESIDENT SURVEY
| Gender |
|
| Male |
50% |
| Female |
50 |
| |
100% |
| Age |
|
| Under 35 |
13% |
| 35 to 54 |
29 |
| 55 or over |
58 |
| |
100% |
| Employment Status |
|
| Employed |
41% |
| *Not working |
10 |
| Retired |
49 |
| |
100% |
| |
|
| *Home maker, unemployed |
|
| |
|
| Place of Work |
|
| In Wickenburg area |
64% |
| Outside of area |
28 |
| Varies |
8 |
| |
100% |
| Months Per Year |
|
| Live In Wickenburg |
|
| 1 to 3 |
1% |
| 4 to 6 |
9 |
| 7 to 9 |
8 |
| 10 to 12 |
82 |
| |
100% |
| Home |
|
| Own |
83% |
| Rent |
17 |
| |
100% |
| *Home Location |
|
| Northeast |
43% |
| Southwest |
43 |
| Not sure |
14 |
| |
100% |
| |
|
| *Indicates which proposed route
home is located closest to. |
Wickenburg Business Survey
The Wickenburg Business Survey consisted of 145 in
depth interviews conducted with Wickenburg area business owners and managers. Respondent
selection was accomplished utilizing the U.S. West Business Database Master File which
contains all U.S. businesses. This data base provides information on company name,
address, telephone and SIC code (business type).
All of the interviewing on this project segment was
conducted between February 15 and February 19, 1999. All of the interviewing was conducted
during normal business hours and a total of seven attempts was made to contact each
selected business. The margin of error for this project segment is approximately +/- 5.0
percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
SAMPLE PROFILE B BUSINESS SURVEY
| Age |
|
| Under 35 |
8% |
| 35 to 54 |
57 |
| 55 or over |
35 |
| |
100% |
| *Location |
|
| Northeast |
63% |
| Southwest |
34 |
| Not sure |
3 |
| |
100% |
|
|
| *Indicates which proposed route
business is located closest to |
|
|
| Years In Business |
|
| Under 10 |
33% |
| 10 to 19 |
33 |
| 20 or more |
34 |
| |
100% |
| Number Of Employees |
|
| 1 to 2 |
31% |
| 3 to 4 |
29 |
| 5 to 9 |
25 |
| 10 or more |
15 |
| |
100% |
| 1998 Revenues |
|
| Under $100,000 |
28% |
| $100,000 to $199,999 |
26 |
| $200,000 to $299,999 |
16 |
| $300,000 to $499,999 |
10 |
| $500,000 or over |
20 |
| |
100% |
|
|
| Median (000) |
$186 |
|
|
| Type Business |
|
| Retail |
49% |
| Other |
51 |
| |
100% |
Wickenburg Visitor Survey
The Wickenburg Visitor Survey consisted of 199
intercept interviews conducted with Wickenburg visitors. All the interviewing on this
project was conducted on Wednesday, February 24 and Saturday, February 27 between 11 a.m.
and 3 p.m. in the downtown Wickenburg area by professional interviewers of the Behavior
Research Center where all individuals encountered were screened for their residency
status.
|