Outsourcing Traffic Data Collection - Miovision Technologies

Outsourcing
Traffic Data Collection
Research Initiative

In July 2012, we reached out to engineering firms across North
America to take part in Miovision’s next research initiative about
outsourcing manual data collection.
This research initiative consisted of six questions about how
engineering firms are using manual data collection vendors,
the frequency, hurdles and solutions in the data collection
process. All of the feedback has been reviewed and compiled
into the report below. Other engineering firms can use this to
gain insight into what firms are experiencing with outsourcing
manual data collection and as a benchmark.
Summary of Questions
1. How many data collection projects do you have annually (in-house and outsourced combined)?
2. How often do you outsource data collection annually?
3. How much administrative time do you spend per project on outsourcing data collection? This includes total time
requesting data/quotes, accessing data, validating data, etc.
4. What is the collected data being used for? (signal timing, corridor studies, retail project, etc.)
5. What hurdles do you experience with outsourcing to manual data collectors?
6. How have you solved these hurdles in the past?
Summary of Findings
For this research initiative on outsourcing manual data collection, there was a wide array of responses for many of the
questions.
Total data collection and manual outsourced data collection results show that the majority of respondents are on either ends
of the spectrum. Either they are doing little or most of their data collection using a vendor and have either very many or few
data collection projects annually.
Results show that most data collection coordination (88%) takes less than a day. It’s applied to various projects, most of
which are signal timing, corridor studies and traffic impact analysis (71% of respondents). The hurdles experienced surround
coordination and quality/validation of manually collected data. To overcome these hurdles, firms better manage the process
and relationship with the vendor.
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Question 1:
How many data collection projects do you have annually (in-house and outsourced combined)?
The first question was to establish the amount of total traffic data collection on an annual basis. Based on the chart below, we
received a wide variety of responses. About a quarter of respondents complete five or less projects a year. Another quarter
indicated that they complete over 20 projects a year.
It appears that the majority of engineering firms, about 67%, complete 15 or less data collection projects annually. These
results include both in-house and outsourced manual data collection.
Annual Data Collection Projects
over 25over 25
24%
26%
21-25
2%
7%
22%
19%
16-20
11-15
6-10
1-5
Question 2:
How often do you outsource data collection annually?
The chart below shows the amount of outsourced manual data collection by engineering firms. Once again, there is a wide
range of responses. It appears that the majority either use outsourced manual data collection most of the time or very little of
the time – not much middle ground.
About 38% of respondents indicated that they use outsourced data collection less than 30% of the time. On the other hand,
about 40% of respondents indicated that they use outsourced manual data collection over 70% of the time.
Having such polar opposites indicate that in most instances firms either have:
• An established data collection team – can use vendors for additional capacity or for inopportune locations
OR
• Limited technicians or other staff than complete data collection – predominately use vendors unless the project is smaller
or a vendor is not available for the project
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Annual Outsourced Manual Data Collection
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
50-59%
40-49% (none)
30-3%9
20-29%
10-19%
0-9%
Question 3:
How much administrative time do you spend per project on outsourcing data collection?
The chart below indicates the amount of time engineering firms are spending on coordinating outsourced manual data
collection. This includes total time requesting data/quotes, accessing data, validating data, and so on.
The majority of respondents, about 88%, indicate that total coordination and administrative time is less than a day for
outsourcing manual data collection. Based on the chart below, 30% of respondents stated it takes less than an hour while
another 30% stated it takes about 2-3 hours for coordination.
Amount of Admin Time for Outsourcing
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
Frequency
5%
0%
Week
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Question 4:
What is the collected data being used for?
This question was aimed to see what types of projects or traffic studies are being outsourced to manual traffic data collection
vendors. As the chart below indicates, there is a wide range of applications, including:
• Signal Timing
• Corridor Studies
• Traffic Impact Analysis
• AADT or Volume Count Studies
• Origin-Destination
• Travel Time
• Warrant Analysis
• Safety Studies
• Capacity Analysis
• Calibration
• Retail Projects
The most common traffic studies are signal timing, corridor studies and traffic impact analysis. About 71% of our respondents’
outsourced manual data collection projects were for these top three types of studies.
Purpose for Data Collection
25%
Retail Projects
20%
Calibration
15%
Capacity Analysis
Safety
10%
Frequency
Warrant Analysis
5%
Travel Time
0%
Signal Timing
Corridor Studies
Traffic Impact Studies
AADT/Volume Studies
Origin-Destination
Travel Time
Warrant Analysis
Safety
Capacity Analysis
Calibration
Retail Projects
OD Studies
AADT/Volume Studies
Traffic Impact Studies
Corridor Studies
Signal Timing
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Question 5:
What hurdles do you experience with outsourcing to manual data collectors?
Working with an outsourced manual data collection vendor can pose a number of challenges. This question was aimed to
determine what types of hurdles our respondents are experiencing when working with vendors in their manual data collection
projects.
According to the chart below, the most common hurdles experienced are in relation to time/coordination as well as manual
data quality/validation. These hurdles were experienced by over 57% of respondents.
On the other hand, cost was the least experienced hurdle with only 4% of respondents citing this as an issue.
Outsourced Manual Data Collection Hurdles
35%
Varible Pricing/Data
30%
Location/Weather
25%
Manpower
20%
Reliability
15%
10%
Frequency
Little/No Hurdles
5%
Quality/Validation
0%
Time/Cooridnation
Cost
Quality/Validation
Little/No Hurdles
Reliability
Manpower
Location/Weather
Variable Pricing/Data
Cost
Time/Coordination
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Question 6:
How have you solved these hurdles in the past?
When we asked respondents how they solved the above hurdles, we received a lot of different answers. It appears that the
most common response is to manage manual data collection by having more input/control into the process.
The top solutions were:
• Renegotiating the contract/project (23%)
• Providing training (23%)
• Limiting outsourcing or the amount of vendors used (19%)
These top solutions accounted for 65% of respondents. Interestingly enough, the fourth solution was to bring data collection
in-house with 15% of respondents indicating this.
Manual Data Collection Hurdle Solutions
25%
Redo Counts
20%
Training
15%
Limited Outsourcing
Frequency
Adusting Timelines
10%
Renegotiated Project
5%
No Solution
0%
In-House
No Solution
Renegotiated Project
Adjusting Timelines
Limited Outsourcing
Training
Redo Counts
In-House
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Conclusion
Utilizing outsourcing manual data collection for transportation projects can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Any data
that is questionable or inaccurate can have serious consequences for engineering firms, the cities where the project is
located and the residents. Based on the results, data is being applied for signal timing, development and expansion projects
and infrastructure planning. Any inaccurate data could significantly impact the results of these projects, whether it is poor
planning/execution, inefficient transportation network, increased congestion or higher levels of air pollution due to vehicle
emissions.
Miovision has introduced Traffic Data On Demand – an online traffic data solution for traffic engineers to request, receive and
manage traffic data for almost any location in the United States and Canada. Data is collected using our automated solutions
through our Partner Network. The entire process is streamlined to ensure the highest quality of data with the least amount of
hassle.
Traffic Data On Demand provides users with control of their budget, quality and timelines.
Research was collected and published by Miovision Technologies Inc.,
with the permission of survey respondents.
This data and the entire contents of this report are copyrighted by
Miovision Technologies Inc., September 2012.
© 2012, Miovision Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
www.miovision.com
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