Jim M.

Garrett
Director
Roger Martinson
Ass!. Director
Eric Darling
Chairman
Rick Robertson
Vice Chairman
Chris Nelson
Secretary
TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
P.O. Box 682
Creston, Iowa 50801
0: 641-278-0699
C: 641-340-1851
utuislbtichotrnell.com
www: smsrt-utu-iowe. com
FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/25/2013
Subject: Iowa .q.th Congressional District survey shows strong support for 2 person train crews and
passenger rail.
The SMART-Transportation Division's Iowa Legislative Board has released results from a survey
taken in Iowa's 4
th
Congressional District that shows strong support for passenger rail and safe, two
person train crew operations.
The poll was conducted September 20
th
- 23,dby DFM Research ofSt. Paul, MN. SMART-TD
represents conductors, switchmen, engineers, airline pilots and bus drivers throughout the United
States and Canada. Prior to merging with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association the
Transportation Division was known as the United Transportation Union.
When asked, 86% of the polled residents in the 4
th
District combined to either supported current or
increased levels of service by Amtrak. This number closely mirrors the results from a poll last year
taken in the Iowa 3,dDistrict when the same question resulted in 87% support. In both polls only
3% supported elimination of Amtrak,
Amtrak has experienced record ridership in recent years. For fiscal year 2013 (most recent data
available) ridership nationwide was 31.6 million passengers, up from 31.2 million in 2012. In Iowa
a new record of 59,825 boardlngs/alightlngs was set in 2013, up 1.1%. Amtrak spent over 1.1
million dollars on goods and services in Iowa during FY 2013.
When asked if they could support new service from Des Moines to cities like Chicago or Denver,
70% said yes while 22% said no. Again, this closely follows Iowans choice in the 3,d District where
75% support additional service while 18% said no. With airline travel being both hassling, crowded
and unpredictable, Iowans seek to have more travel options and passenger rail is gaining support.
The dangers of only having one person responsible for the safety of train movements became
tragically clear last year when a train in Canada ran away and virtually destroyed the community of
Lac-Megantic and killed 47 people. In Spain a passenger train careened around a curve attwice the
posted speed limit killing 80 people and injuring dozens more. In both cases a second crew member
would very likely have prevented these tragedies. In the Iowa 4
tl
, CD poll, Iowans made clear their
position when 87% responded that a one person operation is not as safe as two and supported a
congressional bill requiring two persons by 83%.









September
2014











































Iowa 4
th
District Survey
Amtrak, Two-Person Crew, and Transportation








DFM Research
Dean Mitchell, Consultant
Saint Paul, MN 55102
www.dfmresearch.com




Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 2 of 13

Survey Methodology:

The survey results presented are based on a stratified random sample of 450 Iowa Congressional
District 4 residents contacted by landline and cell phone. The sample was stratified by region to
ensure a representative sample of residents. The sample was comprised of five distinct regions:

16% - Ames Area
15% - Sioux City Area
25% - Eastern Rural Counties
27% - Central Rural Counties
17% - Western Rural Counties

After the numbers were stratified into the appropriate region, telephone numbers were then selected
by random using a skip pattern to guarantee that the interviews were distributed throughout the
region. Each number in the stratified sample had the same non-zero chance of being selected for an
interview.

Telephone interviews were conducted by trained staff of Stone Research Services of Indianapolis,
Indiana, using a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) system for landline phones. Cell
phone interviews are dialed manually to comply with the Telemarketing Consumer Protection Act
of 1991. To ensure everyone in the household would have an equal chance of being selected; callers
would ask to interview the resident over the age of 18 who had the most recent birthday.

Final results are weighted based on gender, age, and education to conform to the approximate
population based on the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau demographic data.

Gender Age Education
Male 50% 18-39 37% High School/Less 44%
Female 50% 40-64 41% Some College/AA 34%
65+ 22% Bachelor/Graduate 22%

The final results are subject to sampling error, which is the difference between results obtained from
the survey and those if everyone in the target population were interviewed. The sampling error,
commonly known as the margin of error, is + 4.6 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence
level; meaning that in 19 out of 20 times, the results presented would be within the margin of error
(confidence interval). If final results of a question resulted in a tabulated answer of 50 percent, the
confidence interval would between 45.4 to 54.6 percent. Where appropriate, question and answer
choices are randomized to reduce order bias; due to rounding, numbers may not equal 100 percent.

Project management and final analysis of the data was completed by Dean Mitchell of DFM
Research based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In addition to his 23 years of political experience, Dean
has completed course work in survey techniques and statistics as part of his Master in Public Policy
(MPP) degree from the University of Minnesotas Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

For Additional Information
Dean Mitchell
651-387-5265
dfmresearch@comcast.net

Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 3 of 13

Interviews: 450 residents over the age 18 that reside in Iowas Fourth Congressional District.
Margin of Error: +4.6 percentage points
Interview Dates: September 21-26, 2014
Sample: Landline and cell phone sample. Random digit numbers provided by Survey Sample
International (SSI) of Fairfield, CT. SSI provided Stone Research with 5,000 residential
random phone numbers from a pool of listed and unlisted numbers in the boundary area, and
1,750 cell phone numbers; which then were stratified into five distinct geographical regions.
Survey Sponsor: SMART Transportation, Iowa State Legislative Boards

Q1: Generally speaking, do you think the country is moving in the right direction, or is the
country off on the wrong track?

Right direction ................................................................................... 24%
Wrong track ...................................................................................... 62
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 13

Q2: And generally speaking, do you think Iowa is moving in the right direction, or is Iowa off on
the wrong track?

Right direction ................................................................................... 66%
Wrong track ...................................................................................... 22
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 12

Q3: Im now going to read you names of some public figures and organizations, for each one,
please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of
them before, just let me know.

Favorable Unfavorable Neutral (VOL) Never Heard Of

Q3a: Barack Obama 34 60 6 0
Q3b: Tom Harkin 51 33 10 6
Q3c: Charles Grassley 66 20 8 5
Q3d: Terry Branstad 59 32 6 3
Q3e: Steve King 39 42 10 9
Q3f: Bruce Braley 24 41 20 14
Q3g: Jim Mowrer 22 12 28 39
Q3h: Jack Hatch 23 31 24 22
Q3i: Tea Party 29 51 15 4
Q3j: Republican Party 46 40 13 1
Q3k: Democratic Party 40 48 11 0

Q5: If the election was held today for Governor, would you vote for Jack Hatch the Democrat, or
Terry Branstad the Republican? (very likely/certain to vote; N=375, MoE +5.1%pts)

Jack Hatch ........................................................................................ 32%
Terry Branstad .................................................................................. 56
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 12

Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 4 of 13

Q6: If the election was held today for U.S. Senate, would you vote for Bruce Braley the
Democrat, or Joni Ernst the Republican? (very likely/certain to vote; N=375, MoE +5.1%pts)

Bruce Braley ..................................................................................... 38%
Joni Ernst .......................................................................................... 48
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 14

Q7: And if the election was held today for U.S. House, for whom would you vote, Jim Mowrer
the Democrat or Steve King the Republican? (very likely/certain to vote; N=375, MoE +5.1%pts)

Jim Mowrer ...................................................................................... 43%
Steve King ........................................................................................ 46
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 11

Q8: Currently the Iowa legislature is split, with the Democrats in the majority in the State
Senate, and the Republicans in the majority in the State House After the 2014 general
election, which would you most like to see the State Legislature composition? (very likely or
certain to vote; N=375, MoE +5.1%pts)

Democrats control both the Senate and House ................................. 18%
Republican control both the Senate and House ................................ 31
State Legislature divided between the parties .................................. 47
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 4

Q10: Im now going to read you a few more names. For each one, please tell me if you have a
favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of it before, just let me know.

Favorable Unfavorable Neutral (VOL) Never Heard Of

Q10a: Amtrak 74 9 13 4
Q10b: High Speed Rail 51 19 20 10
Q10c: Iowa DOT 76 13 11 1
Q10d: Freight Railroads 74 5 16 5
Q10e: Transporting Oil by Rail 60 23 13 4
Q10f: Public Transportation 81 7 10 2
Q10g: Labor Unions 45 44 10 2
Q10h: the NRA 54 31 11 4
Q10i: Koch Brothers 17 44 21 19

Q11: Thinking about your areas overall transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges,
rail, air and public transportation how would you rate it?

Excellent ........................................................................................... 4%
Good ................................................................................................. 34
Satisfactory ....................................................................................... 33
Poor .................................................................................................. 21
Failing ............................................................................................... 7
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 1

Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 5 of 13

Q12: When it comes to spending on transportation needs in your area, do you think the
government spends too much, about the right amount, or not enough on transportation
needs.

Too much .......................................................................................... 8%
About the right amount ..................................................................... 40
Not enough ....................................................................................... 52

Q14: Currently Amtrak has one daily passenger train in Iowa, with service to Chicago and
California. When it comes to passenger rail service, which best fits your view?

Passenger rail service should increase .............................................. 48%
Passenger rail service should remain the same ................................. 38
Passenger rail service should be eliminated ..................................... 3
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 12

Q15: Right now train service in your area is not always convenient. If there was an additional
train or trains as a daytime option with service from Des Moines to cities like Chicago or
Denver, do you find this an idea you could support?

Yes .................................................................................................... 70%
No ..................................................................................................... 22
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 8

Now just a few more questions on other rail related issues.

Q17: How worried are you about a train derailments in your community?

Very Worried .................................................................................... 2%
Fairly Worried .................................................................................. 3
Just Somewhat Worried .................................................................... 13
Not that Worried ............................................................................... 80
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 1

Currently most freight trains in Iowa operate with a crew of two, but now there are efforts by
railroads to reduce the crew to just one person on some trains.

Q18: When it comes to railroad safety and operations, do you think a train with a crew of one
individual can be operated as safe as a train with a crew of two individuals?

Yes, one operator can be as safe as two ............................................ 8%
No, one operator cannot be as safe as two ........................................ 87
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 5

Q19: Now suppose trains in your area operated with only a crew of one on the engine, how
worried would you be now about a train derailment in your community?

Very Worried .................................................................................... 16%
Fairly Worried .................................................................................. 13
Just Somewhat Worried .................................................................... 29
Not that Worried ............................................................................... 40
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 1
Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 6 of 13

Q21: Some in Congress want to enact a law, known as H.R. 3040 the Safe Freight Act, and if
passed would require all freight trains to operate with a crew of at least two people. Suppose
you could vote on this bill. Would you vote YES to pass H.R. 3040 or would you voted NO,
and reject H.R. 3040.

Yes, pass ........................................................................................... 83%
No, reject .......................................................................................... 11
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 6

QD3: When it comes to political parties, do you consider yourself a:

Democrat ........................................................................................... 27%
an Independent .................................................................................. 41
Republican ........................................................................................ 32

QD4: When it comes to your political philosophy, which do you consider yourself

Liberal ............................................................................................... 20%
Moderate ........................................................................................... 40
Conservative ..................................................................................... 37
Tea Party ........................................................................................... 4







Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 7 of 13

Highlighted Crosstabs:

Q10a: Im now going to read you a few more names and concepts. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just let
me know.

Amtrak
Favorable .......................................................................................... 74%
Unfavorable ...................................................................................... 9
Neutral/Unsure (VOL) ...................................................................... 13
Never Heard Of ................................................................................ 4


Gender Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Men 74% 11 13 3
Women 75 7 13 5

Age Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

18-39 72 10 15 3
40-64 78 7 10 4
Over 65 72 7 15 6

Education Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

High School/Less 75 9 11 6
Some College/AA Degree 72 8 16 4
Bachelor/Graduate Degree 77 10 12 1

Region Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Ames Area 80 10 9 1
Sioux City Area 78 9 10 3
Eastern Counties 69 11 12 7
Central Counties 76 4 16 4
Western Counties 73 9 16 3

Party Identification Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Democrat 83 4 8 5
Independent 76 11 11 3
Republican 66 10 20 5

Ideology Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Liberal 80 10 8 3
Moderate 78 5 12 4
Conservative 69 11 16 4

Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 8 of 13

Q10b: Im now going to read you a few more names and concepts. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just let
me know.

High Speed Rail
Favorable .......................................................................................... 51%
Unfavorable ...................................................................................... 19
Neutral/Unsure (VOL) ...................................................................... 20
Never Heard Of ................................................................................ 10


Gender Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Men 51% 21 17 12
Women 51 17 24 8

Age Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

18-39 49 16 23 13
40-64 56 18 18 9
Over 65 45 26 22 7

Education Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

High School/Less 47 22 20 12
Some College/AA Degree 49 18 23 10
Bachelor/Graduate Degree 62 16 17 5

Region Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Ames Area 52 27 9 9
Sioux City Area 59 16 9 9
Eastern Counties 47 20 12 12
Central Counties 56 23 7 7
Western Counties 40 28 12 12

Party Identification Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Democrat 61 17 12 10
Independent 52 17 21 10
Republican 41 23 27 9

Ideology Fav Unfav Neutral NHO

Liberal 64 12 18 6
Moderate 58 14 20 8
Conservative 37 26 23 13



Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 9 of 13

Q11: Thinking about your areas overall transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges,
rail, air and public transportation how would you rate it?

Excellent ........................................................................................... 4%
Good ................................................................................................. 34
Satisfactory ....................................................................................... 33
Poor .................................................................................................. 21
Failing ............................................................................................... 7
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 1

Gender Excllnt Good Sat Poor Failing

Men 3% 38 33 15 9
Women 5 30 33 27 4

Age Excllnt Good Sat Poor Failing

18-39 3 40 32 18 6
40-64 6 30 32 22 9
65 plus 3 31 37 24 4

Education Excllnt Good Sat Poor Failing

High School/Less 4 33 39 16 7
Some College/AA Degree 4 35 27 26 7
Bachelor/Graduate Degree 5 34 31 23 7

Region Excllnt Good Sat Poor Failing

Ames Area 7 37 27 20 9
Sioux City Area 4 31 30 28 5
Eastern Counties 3 32 36 21 7
Central Counties 3 35 39 15 8
Western Counties 5 35 28 26 4

Party Identification Excllnt Good Sat Poor Failing

Democrat 3 30 33 24 10
Independent 5 30 33 24 6
Republican 3 42 34 16 4

Ideology Excllnt Good Sat Poor Failing

Liberal 2 34 22 28 13
Moderate 5 31 39 17 5
Conservative 4 37 32 21 5









Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 10 of 13

Q14: Currently Amtrak has one daily passenger train in Iowa, with service to Chicago and
California. When it comes to passenger rail service, which best fits your view?

Passenger rail service should increase .............................................. 48%
Passenger rail service should remain the same ................................. 38
Passenger rail service should be eliminated ..................................... 3
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 12

Gender Increase Same Cut/Elmnte Unsure

Men 49% 39 2 10
Women 47 37 3 13

Age Increase Same Cut/Elmnte Unsure

18-39 47 37 3 13
40-64 50 38 3 9
65 plus 46 38 2 15

Education Increase Same Cut/Elmnte Unsure

High School/Less 47 36 4 13
Some College/AA Degree 44 43 3 10
Bachelor/Graduate Degree 56 34 1 9

Region Increase Same Cut/Elmnte Unsure

Ames Area 59 37 0 4
Sioux City Area 53 34 3 11
Eastern Counties 48 36 2 14
Central Counties 47 38 4 11
Western Counties 36 44 4 16

Party Identification Increase Same Cut/Elmnte Unsure

Democrat 61 24 5 10
Independent 48 41 1 10
Republican 38 45 3 14

Ideology Increase Same Cut/Elmnte Unsure

Liberal 59 28 4 10
Moderate 57 32 2 9
Conservative 34 48 3 14






Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 11 of 13

Q15: Right now train service in your area is not always convenient. If there was an additional
train or trains as a daytime option with service from Des Moines to cities like Chicago or
Denver, do you find this an idea you could support?

Yes .................................................................................................... 70%
No ..................................................................................................... 22
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 8

Gender Yes No Unsure

Men 71% 22 7
Women 69 23 8

Age Yes No Unsure

18-39 72 20 8
40-64 73 20 7
65 plus 61 30 9

Education Yes No Unsure

High School/Less 66 26 8
Some College/AA Degree 72 19 9
Bachelor/Graduate Degree 75 19 6

Region Yes No Unsure

Ames Area 85 10 4
Sioux City Area 66 27 5
Eastern Counties 71 19 10
Central Counties 69 23 8
Western Counties 58 33 9

Party Identification Yes No Unsure

Democrat 80 16 4
Independent 72 21 6
Republican 59 29 12

Ideology Yes No Unsure

Liberal 78 16 6
Moderate 74 17 9
Conservative 62 31 7


Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 12 of 13

Q18: When it comes to railroad safety and operations, do you think a train with a crew of one
individual can be operated as safe as a train with a crew of two individuals?

Yes, one operator can be as safe as two ............................................ 8%
No, one operator cannot be as safe as two ........................................ 87
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 5

Gender Yes No Unsure

Men 12% 82 6
Women 5 92 3

Age Yes No Unsure

18-39 7 84 9
40-64 9 89 1
65 plus 9 89 2

Education Yes No Unsure

High School/Less 9 87 4
Some College/AA Degree 6 88 6
Bachelor/Graduate Degree 10 86 4

Region Yes No Unsure

Ames Area 6 90 4
Sioux City Area 9 85 5
Eastern Counties 6 90 4
Central Counties 8 88 4
Western Counties 14 80 5

Party Identification Yes No Unsure

Democrat 5 92 3
Independent 10 84 6
Republican 9 87 4

Ideology Yes No Unsure

Liberal 2 92 6
Moderate 10 87 3
Conservative 9 86 5


Iowa 4
th
District Survey September, 2014
Prepared by DFM Research


Page 13 of 13

Q21: Some in Congress want to enact a law, known as H.R. 3040 the Safe Freight Act, and if
passed would require all freight trains to operate with a crew of at least two people. Suppose
you could vote on this bill. Would you vote YES to pass H.R. 3040 or would you voted NO,
and reject H.R. 3040.

Yes, pass ........................................................................................... 83%
No, reject .......................................................................................... 11
(VOL) Unsure ................................................................................... 6

Gender Pass Reject Unsure

Men 8% 13 7
Women 86 9 5

Age Pass Reject Unsure

18-39 80 12 8
40-64 86 10 3
65 plus 85 10 5

Education Pass Reject Unsure

High School/Less 83 11 6
Some College/AA Degree 85 9 6
Bachelor/Graduate Degree 79 15 5

Region Pass Reject Unsure

Ames Area 86 9 6
Sioux City Area 81 15 4
Eastern Counties 84 11 6
Central Counties 86 9 6
Western Counties 76 15 9

Party Identification Pass Reject Unsure

Democrat 85 9 6
Independent 80 14 6
Republican 85 9 6

Ideology Pass Reject Unsure

Liberal 89 7 5
Moderate 83 10 7
Conservative 81 13 6