NTL Record

Title Innovative Procedures in Traffic Volume Estimation
Record ID 67966
Personal Name
Creator
Tsapakis, Ioannis; Holik, William A.; Vandervalk, Anita; Turner, Shawn M.; Habermann, John
Personal Name
Contributor
Thompson, Stuart
Corporate Creator United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety
Corporate
Contributor
Texas Transportation Institute
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety
Publication Date 20170201
Language English
Abstract This case study presents how the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) estimates traffic volumes on secondary local roadways using a trip generation method instead of taking short-duration counts in the field. The use of trip generation estimates was an outcome of a review process that aimed to reduce data collection costs and achieve manpower savings by establishing a local secondary count program. As part of this program, VDOT provided guidelines to its staff on how to identify eligible traffic links and generate traffic volume estimates using the trip generation method. According to this program, region and district staff are responsible for reviewing candidate segments using aerial photos, determining potential development and roadway connectivity, evaluating roadway eligibility criteria, documenting the trip generation process used, developing estimates, and submitting the estimates to the Central Office–Traffic Engineering Division. After implementing the method, VDOT realized several benefits, most of which are associated with time and cost savings. Because of the positive experience and feedback received with this effort, VDOT will continue to promote and improve the use of the trip generation method.
Rosap ID dot:42853
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/42853
TRT Terms Traffic volume; Traffic estimation; Trip generation; Data collection; Traffic counts
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number DTFH6116D00004
Report Number FHWA-SA-17-036
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/67000/67900/67966/FHWA-SA-17-036.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository