Resumen
It has been 30 years since Greater Nantes reprioritized its transport policies based on a radial public transport network and constructed a Tramway. Today, Greater Nantes is developing a new BRT system, called ?Chronobus?. Chronobus enables Nantes? public transport network to function across a new mesh network with a controlled investment (70 M?). Until now, household travel and operator surveys have not provided comprehensive information about the public's local transport needs and perceptions. With this in mind, Greater Nantes conducted a large-scale innovative survey in 2014 to determine how users make their travel choices considering a wide range of social factors. The survey was targeted at small geographic areas to determine the effectiveness for residents on a fine scale. The objectives of this article are: (1) to describe the innovative survey carried out within Greater Nantes and to outline the diversity of the results; (2) to outline the potential use for local authorities to conduct similar surveys in order to better understand the dynamics of urban mobility in their jurisdictions. The survey includes both quantitative (around 8,000 answers) and qualitative features (30 semi-structured interviews; two focus groups) and are aimed at both Chronobus users and non-users. This article emphasizes four main topics: the willingness to walk to a Chronobus service (rather than to a classic bus service); the consideration of Chronobus and other transport criteria in choice of residential dwelling location; the use of Chronobus as a tool for urban renewal and for opening up isolated and disadvantaged areas; and the perception of Chronobus users and non-users of its impacts on the other transport modes and local life. This innovative study is not only an evaluation tool, but a social barometer that provides useful information to local authorities to supplement other current household and operator surveys. The article shows that similar surveys can be seen as a useful tool for opening up dialogue with local populations on mobility topics.