A Template for You to Develop Template Sampling Plans for the NTD Samp

What can I do with this template?

You can use it to develop template sampling plans for obtaining annual data on unlinked passenger trips (UPT) and pas
(PMT) for a particular mode and type of service. When you follow the steps for this template and the guidance in the NT
the resulting sampling plans meet FTA's 95% confidence and 10% precision levels.
What do I need to know before using this template?
You should go over Subsction 54 of the NTD Sampling Manual, which is available at www.ntdprogram.gov.
What is in the content of this template?
This template consists of five worksheets:
a) INTRODUCTION: You should go over the general directions in this worksheet to using this template.
b) INPUT: You must use this worksheet to enter your data.
c) SAMPLING PLANS: You must go there to see the sampling plans you have developed after you have entered

d) CALCULATIONS: You do not need to go there for using this template. If you are interested, it does provide a n
characteristics of your service as reflected in the information you enter into INPUT.

e) REVISION: You do not need to use the information in this worksheet for developing this set of template sampli
to use it in the future to determine whether you need to revise this set of template sampling plans.
What information do I need to use this template?

You must have a set of sample data collected from the mode and type of service for which you would like to have a new
reflects its conditions.
How do I enter the information?
You must follow the steps in INPUT and enter the information accordingly.
How do I use the resulting sampling plans?
You should follow the NTD Sampling Manual in using the template sampling plans. SAMPLING PLANS also describes
Is there an example of using this template that I can take a look at before I use it myself?

"The NTD Sampling Template with Sample Data.xls" at www.ntdprogram.gov illustrates the use of this template with real samp

Input
Some of the input is common to all efficiency options, while others are only required for some of the options.
A. Common Data
1. To use this template, you must enter your sample data for both UPT and PMT in section E below.
a) Enter UPT data in column D
b) Enter PMT data in column E
c) Start in row 71.
It is critical that you enter the data in the right columns!
2. You may choose to enter some identification information for your sample:
a) The dates on which your sample data were collected in column B.
b) Some other identification, e.g., trip number, trip time, etc., in column C.
B. Group Size
1. If you choose to consider service grouping, you must also enter three additional pieces of information:
a) The name of the group to which each unit in the sample belongs:

i) Enter the group names in column G starting in row 71.

ii) You may have up to 10 distinctive groups.
iii) The names can be numeric or text.
iv) The names automatically appears in ranges D33:M33 and D38:M38 in this sheet, in range E6:N6 in

b) For each group, group size in number of service units actually operated during the period when the sample
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
i) Group N
ii) Group Size

c) For each group, group size in number of service units that are expected to be operated during a year when
i) Group N
ii) Group Size
2. It is critical that:

a) You enter group size in the same service units as you have chosen for your template sampling plans. For e
b) You enter group size data in the right cells to match group names.
C. PPMT Data

1. If you choose to consider the PPMT option, you must also enter your sample data for PPMT in column F starting i
D. Availability of Reliable 100% UPT Count by Service Group

1. To consider service grouping with the APTL option, you must enter in cell M52 1 if you will have 100% UPT counts
E. Sample Data

1. We suggest that you develop your sample data for UPT, PMT, PPMT, and Group side by side in a separate spread
2. Copy the full range of the sample data from this separate spreadsheet.
3. Paste the sample data as follows:
a) Click cell B71 if you include the two identification columns and cell D71 otherwise
b) Right Click
c) Select Paste Special
d) Select Paste Values
e) Click OK.
4. Make sure that all data on UPT, PMT, PPMT, and Group from other applications are cleared at the bottom.
Date

ID

UPT

PMT

PPMT

Group

or some of the options.

T in section E below.

nal pieces of information:

8:M38 in this sheet, in range E6:N6 in CALCULATIONS, and in range F7:O7 in SAMPLING PLANS.

ed during the period when the sample data you have entered were collected in range D34:M34.
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
ALL

ed to be operated during a year when the new sampling plan is to be used in range D39:M39.
ALL

r your template sampling plans. For example, if you want your sample size in one-way bus trips, group size must be in one-way bus trips as

e data for PPMT in column F starting in row 71.

2 1 if you will have 100% UPT counts for each service group and 0 otherwise.

roup side by side in a separate spreadsheet.

ons are cleared at the bottom.

must be in one-way bus trips as well.

Sampling Plans
A. Sample Size by Options
Without Grouping
Annual
Sample
Realized
Size by
Sample
Frequency
Size
1. Annual Frequency
a) Base Option
b) APTL Option
c) PPMT Option

With Grouping

Sample Size by Frequency and by Grou

2. Quarterly Frequency 4
a) Base Option
b) APTL Option
c) PPMT Option
3. Monthly Frquency
a) Base Option
b) APTL Option
c) PPMT Option

12

4. Weekly Frequency
a) Base Option
b) APTL Option
c) PPMT Option

52

B. Description of Options
1. Sampling Frequency

a) Annual = minimal sample size during an entire year that is determined from analyzing the sample data you have e
into this sample size to guard agaist fluctuations of service and useage patterns in your system. It is difficult to selec
same time. Three ways to implement this annual sample are suggested: quarterly, monthly, and weekly. Alternative
permitted.
b) Quarterly = minimal sample size during an entire quarter if you choose to sample once every three months.
c) Monthly = minimal sample size during an entire month if you choose to sample once every month.
d) Weekly = minimal sample size during a week if you choose to sample once every week.

e) The selection of these implementation options depends on how you weigh the administrative convenience and the
period. Due to rounding when the annual sample is allocated to each of these periods, the annual realized sample s

2. Grouping for Improving Sampling Efficiency

Grouping is one method for you to improve your sampling efficiency.

a) Without Grouping= you sample and estimate service consumed without dividing your overall operattion into

b) With Grouping = you sample and estimate service consumed data by dividing your overall operation into tw
c) Range F7:O7 = group names if you use grouping and empty if you do not.
3. Other Options for Improving Sampling Efficiency
a) If you will not be reporting a 100% count of UPT for a future NTD reporting year, you must use the Base option.

b) If you will be reporting a 100% count of UPT for a future NTD reporting year, you may use either the APTL option
for you to consider if you have entered your sample data on UPT, PMT, and PPMT into INPUT. You only have the AP
data on UPT and PMT but not on PPMT.

c) When you do have both the APTL and PPMT options, you should choose the APTL option if it gives you a smaller
to decide whether the extra effort required in estimating annual data for the NTD is more trouble than the smaller sam

With Grouping

e by Frequency and by Group

Annual
Realized
Sample
Size

the sample data you have entered. A margin of safety has been built
system. It is difficult to select a random sample for an entire year at the
thly, and weekly. Alternative ways to implement this annual sample are

e every three months.

every month.

istrative convenience and the total annual realized sample size for each
the annual realized sample size is higher for a shorter period.

All

g your overall operattion into distinctive groups.

your overall operation into two or more distinctive groups.

must use the Base option.

y use either the APTL option or the PPMT option. You have both options
NPUT. You only have the APTL option if you have entered your sample

ption if it gives you a smaller annual sample size. Otherwise you need
e trouble than the smaller sample size that the PPMT option gives you.

Calculations
A. Sample Data Analysis
Without
Grouping

With Grouping

Group Size in the Sample

Average
UPT
PMT
PPMT
APTL
PMT/PPMT
Unit Coefficient of Variation
UPT
PMT
PPMT
APTL-100% UPT by Group
APTL-100% UPT Total
PMT/PPMT

N/A

Correlation Coefficient
UPT & PMT
PMT & PPMT

B. Description

Measures
Group Size in the Sample = the number of service units contained in the sample data that have been entered into INPUT
Average = sample mean
Unit Coefficient of Variation = a statistical measure of the degree of variation in a particular variable. A lower value is mo
Correlation Coefficient = a statistical measure of how closely two variables relate to each other. It ranges between 0 and
Variables
UPT = unlinked passenger trips
PMT = passenger miles traveled
PPMT = UPT * average route length = potential passenger miles traveled
APTL = PMT/UPT = average passegner trip length
PMT/PPMT = ratio of PMT to PPMT = fraction of a route's length traveled by the average passegner

With Grouping

ave been entered into INPUT.

variable. A lower value is more desirable.

her. It ranges between 0 and 1. A higher value is better.

All

N/A
N/A

Information for Considering Plan Revision

A. Sample Size
Sample Size
B. Statistical Variation by Efficiency Options
Efficiency Options
Base Option
APTL Option - 100% UPT Total
APTL Option - 100% UPT by Group
PPMT Option

No Grouping

Grouping

N/A

Notes:
1. APTL Option - 100% UPT Total applies if cell M52 = 0 in the Input Worksheet.
2. APTL Option - 100% UPT by Group applies otherwise.