PORTAGE n Northwest Indiana women make more trips per day in cars than men, but males drive longer distances than females.

Those were among the findings of a two-year household travel survey sponsored by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. NIRPC's Transportation Study Committee heard highlights of the study Tuesday during a meeting in Portage.

The study looked at travel in Northwest Indiana and Northeastern Illinois.

The $2.8 million survey, conducted by NuStats of Texas, was funded primarily by Northeastern Illinois' CMAP, which contributed $2.3 million. The remaining $500,000 for the study was financed by money from the State of Indiana as well as contributions by the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and LaPorte County, said Bill Brown, the NIRPC staff member who presented the findings.

Those in the study were asked to fill out travel diaries for either a 24-hour or a 48-hour period.

While the raw data is still being analyzed, Brown said there are certain patterns that are noticeable in Northwest Indiana, including:

* Those who earn $75,000 or more annually travel the most.

* Nearly two-thirds of the cars on Northwest Indiana roads have only one occupant.

* Peak travel times for participants coincide with heavy traffic periods in the morning and afternoon on the Borman Expressway.

* Those living in the highest density or urban areas -- and especially low-income households -- represented only 10 to 11 percent of the study group. Brown said study authors had hoped for 20 percent in each of the five income groups.

* Only 2 percent of those who responded seem to take public transportation. Brown said that result was "disappointing but expected because we don't have a robust transit system as they have in Illinois."

Brown invited those from area schools, colleges and universities to use the data to analyze how travel affects economic development and other issues.