Transport Data Collection: Objectives and Methods

Traffic engineers need accurate, relevant and latest data while planning and executing traffic engineering projects to ensure smooth traffic movement in and around development sites. Projects such as the construction of intersections, crossings and pavements can disrupt the current and future traffic flow. To ensure they take steps in right directions, traffic engineers rely on transport data collection services that include collecting and analyzing various data sets, such as the number of pedestrians and vehicles passing the area during a given period. The blog enumerates some transport data collection essentials to consider, when planning any large-scale development project.

1. Intersection Turning Movement Counts

Intersection turning movement counts are the number of vehicles that cross an intersection during specific time periods. The number of observers needed to collect data is dependent on numerous factors, including the method followed and, the volume levels and geometric construction of the intersection. The traffic engineering consultant may also have to deploy separate teams to monitor the arrival and departure volumes, if the traffic flow is heavy.

Objective

The study helps in determining important factors such as placement of traffic management devices and their timing and deciding the geometric design of the roadways and traffic circulation patterns. The data derived also helps in determining the site’s capacity to hold traffic and enables planners in estimating the impact due to the proposed development.

Methods

Some of the most popular methods of collecting intersection movement counts data are:

Manual Observation
Under the manual observation method, the provider deploys a surveyor near the development site, to manually counts vehicles passing the area during certain time periods (usually peak hours). The surveyor may use a video camera, handheld count boards or tally sheets to execute the task.

Automatic Count Method
In this method, a researcher installs automatic equipment such as pneumatic tubes and video-imaging processing systems to capture the images of the vehicles passing through the area. Some providers also install permanent counters with in-built sensors for long-duration projects.

2. Parking Studies

A parking study is important to determine the impact of the proposed development on the parking facilities in and around the area. Some common studies that researchers perform to achieve this objective are duration and turnover surveys, accumulation counts (the number of vehicles parked in the area during any given period), and inventory of parking facilities (a study on the condition of parking facilities in the area).

Objective

The objective of parking studies is to find the capacity of existing parking facilities, and forecast the increase in demand due to the proposed development.

Methods

The most common methods of collecting parking data are:

License Plate Method
In this method, researchers monitor each parking stall at a fixed time interval (generally 15 minutes) and note down the license plate number. The objective of the method is to determine the time for which a particular vehicle is parked in the parking bay. The method is commonly used to calculate parking fares.

Manual Count Method
In the manual count method, surveyors count the number of vehicles manually at least 3-4 times during any given day. For the sake of accuracy, researchers must avoid following the method on days when the parking area is not accessible/has limited access.

3. Pedestrian and Cycle Counts

Planners need to account for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, especially when a proposed development is estimated to result in a significant increase in the inflow and outflow of vehicle traffic. Pedestrian and cycle count studies aim to collect data on the number of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the intersection at any given point of time.

Objective

The study focuses on finding crash rates and helps planners in coming up with safety plans for pedestrians and cyclists. These studies enable traffic engineers forecast additional space demands for pedestrians and cyclists and form the basis of planning pedestrian and cycle networks.

Methods

Manual Counts
Researchers following this method count the number of pedestrians and cyclists originating from and traveling to the development site. The method is simple to follow, economical and can help surveyors determine user characteristics. Under this method, surveyors may use forms and hand counters to record data.

Automatic Counts
Researchers use this method for long-term projects to establish temporal standards. They install impact sensors/tubes at fixed locations to collect data. Other common methods include video data collection, installing permanent and portable counters, conducting intercept surveys and using GPS and smartphone apps. The initial project cost of conducting automatic counts may exceed that of manual counts as researchers must procure and install these equipment. That said, following this method can result in long-term cost benefits (in the form of reduced labor cost).
Some providers have started using a mix of the two methods to overcome the shortcomings of the processes, which can help them get more accurate results.

Summing Up

Transport data collection forms the backbone of any large-scale development project. No developer or authority can afford to go wrong at this stage and therefore need a consultant with proven expertise in all aspects of traffic engineering. Whether you are in Melbourne or Sydney, you can rely on EB Traffic Solutions for creating a detailed plan to ensure seamless traffic movement in and around the development sites. To learn more about our transport data collection services, call us at 0408 395 729 or fill out our contact form and you’ll hear from us, shortly.