AP-G84/04 Best practice in road use data collection, analysis ... - WIM

Accessed by AR - ARRB TRANSPORT RESEARCH on 04 Feb 2005
Austroads 2004
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Best Practices in Road Use Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting
APPENDIX C – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW
REPORT (RC2050-2)
Scope
This Report documents a literature review of typical traffic data collection, processing, analysis and
reporting practices by major road agencies in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom (UK), New
Zealand and the United States (US). The emphasis of the review was on highlighting practices
that differ or are in addition to the NAASRA 1982 Guide. The features of the non-Australian
practices were also summarised and compared with the NAASRA Guide.
Findings
In some instances, the review was not able to find some specific information from the practices
reviewed. For example, useful information about the frequency of traffic data collection was not
available for New Zealand and the US and information about traffic data presentation was not
found for New Zealand and the UK.
Inconsistencies between practices
Broad inconsistencies between the reviewed road agency practices were identified in regard to:
the definition of the traffic information to be collected and reported;
the traffic guidelines and standards on the appropriate amount of traffic counting (continuous
vs. temporary counting), the duration of temporary traffic counting and the methodology of
arranging traffic counter sites;
vehicle classification systems, the type of equipment used and the recording of vehicle types;
and,
recommendations for achieving adequate levels of quality control and the required accuracy
of traffic measurement.
Future guidance
The following findings identified as a result of this review may form a basis to resolve the current
inconsistencies in traffic monitoring procedures:
the development of a consistent generic framework for traffic measurement, processing and
reporting that can accommodate variations in equipment technology and differing road
network characteristics;
the development of a systematic approach to traffic monitoring and reporting that captures
changes from previous monitoring and reporting;
a consistent approach to the estimation of annual average daily traffic (AADT) and other
fundamental traffic measurement parameters;
the development of a sound and defensible basis for traffic adjustment factors used during
data processing; and,
the development of principles for clear quality control procedures covering equipment
calibration, quantification of equipment accuracy and the accuracy required for the estimated
traffic parameters.