The Difference Between Stated and Measured Travel Data and Their Impact on Environmental Valuation By Travel Cost Method

The main purpose of this study is to assess the reliability of the respondent's own estimation of the travel distance as a base for calculating travel costs. In order to attain this objective, we have compared the respondent's stated distances with that of the measured ones, by using environmental valuation survey data conducted on Huis Ten Bosch (HTB). As evaluation tools, scattered diagram plotting, correlation analysis and t-tests of the differences between two means have been used. The findings of the study suggests that, measured distance data might be used for travel costs calculation, as the stated distances are prone to be distorted as the distance from respondent's residence to the recreational site increases. On the other hand, the significance of the stated distance data should not be disregarded in TCM studies, as it reflects the length of distance felt by the respondents and would provide an important base for estimating recreational benefits