Optimization of Traffic Data Collection for Specific Pavement Applications

Research Problem Statement:

Traffic characterization is an essential component of the pavement design and analysis process. Traffic data collection efforts are often limited by resources -- technology, cost, and personnel time -- such that it is not possible to collect complete, high-quality traffic data for all highway project locations. Achieving the best overall outcome from an agencies traffic data collection program requires that the type, quantity, and quality of traffic data collected at any given site be commensurate with the traffic data requirements of the design or performance analyses to be undertaken for that site.

At present, there are gaps in knowledge with regard to the sensitivity of different pavement design and performance analysis applications to traffic data inputs. Well-founded information on the specific level of effort and detail (type, quantity and quality) required for different pavement analysis applications is needed to enable optimal deployment of scarce traffic data collection resources. Issues to be addressed include the type of data to be collected (volume, classification, gross vehicle weight, axle load, axle spacing, etc.), data accuracy, length of data collection period, and data collection frequency. This project will define traffic data collection efforts consistent with the data requirements of specific pavement analysis applications.

Research Objective and Tasks:

The objective of this research is to define the optimal traffic data collection and reporting efforts required to support sound conclusions in different pavement design and analysis applications. Issues that must be addressed for each pavement design and analysis scenario considered include:

Traffic data collection type ( volume, classification, gross vehicle weight, axle load, axle spacing, etc.).
Data accuracy.
Length of data collection period(s).
Data collection frequency.

Achievement of the objective will require, as a minimum, the following tasks.

Stage 1:

Literature review encompassing the traffic data collection requirements of pavement design and analysis applications, the issue of variability and accuracy of traffic data. Particular emphasis should be placed on pertinent documentation from NCHRP projects 1-37A and 1-39, and the pooled-fund project Accuracy of Traffic Load Monitoring and Projections Related to Traffic Data Collection Parameters. Also, review FHWA documentation of LTPP traffic data and traffic data analysis findings, and state highway agency practices with regard to pavement analysis and the application of traffic data.
Based on the literature review, identify:
1. A set of key pavement design and analysis scenarios for further study beginning with the levels defined in NCHRP 1-37A and 1-39.
2. Gaps in the current state of knowledge with regard to the sensitivity of the selected pavement design and analysis applications to traffic data inputs.
3. Gaps in the current state of knowledge with regard to variability in traffic data, and impact of different sampling schemes on the accuracy of cumulative traffic estimates at varying levels of detail (e.g, AADT, ESAL, cumulative axle load spectra).

Stage 2:

Evaluate (conduct sensitivity analyses of) the selected pavement design and analysis applications as required to fill the gaps identified in 2b.
Based on the findings of the literature review and 3, define the traffic data collection requirements (data types, accuracy, and reporting frequency) for each selected application.
Analyze LTPP traffic data to fill the gaps identified in 2c.
Based on the findings from 4 and 5, define a traffic data collection scheme (type of data collected, data collection period and frequency) consistent with the traffic data collection needs defined in 4.

Problem Funding and Research Period:

Funding = $267,810
Research Period: Jan. 23, 2003 to June 23, 2004

Urgency, Payoff Potential, and Implementation:

Currently, agencies lack the information needed to support sound decisions as to the optimal deployment of traffic data collection equipment and personnel for pavement design and analysis applications. The proposed research will provide a factual basis for decisions on deployment of traffic monitoring systems, thereby enabling scarce resources to be utilized in the most effective manner possible. The impact of this improvement will "ripple through" virtually all highway agency activities, by virtue of the resulting improvements in the traffic data available to support decisions with regard to pavement maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction.

Data Collection Analysis Products Pooled Fund Studies Operations/Analysis Feedback Reports LTPP Customer Survey	Optimization of Traffic Data Collection for Specific Pavement Applications Research Problem Statement: Traffic characterization is an essential component of the pavement design and analysis process. Traffic data collection efforts are often limited by resources -- technology, cost, and personnel time -- such that it is not possible to collect complete, high-quality traffic data for all highway project locations. Achieving the best overall outcome from an agencies traffic data collection program requires that the type, quantity, and quality of traffic data collected at any given site be commensurate with the traffic data requirements of the design or performance analyses to be undertaken for that site. At present, there are gaps in knowledge with regard to the sensitivity of different pavement design and performance analysis applications to traffic data inputs. Well-founded information on the specific level of effort and detail (type, quantity and quality) required for different pavement analysis applications is needed to enable optimal deployment of scarce traffic data collection resources. Issues to be addressed include the type of data to be collected (volume, classification, gross vehicle weight, axle load, axle spacing, etc.), data accuracy, length of data collection period, and data collection frequency. This project will define traffic data collection efforts consistent with the data requirements of specific pavement analysis applications. Research Objective and Tasks: The objective of this research is to define the optimal traffic data collection and reporting efforts required to support sound conclusions in different pavement design and analysis applications. Issues that must be addressed for each pavement design and analysis scenario considered include: Traffic data collection type ( volume, classification, gross vehicle weight, axle load, axle spacing, etc.). Data accuracy. Length of data collection period(s). Data collection frequency. Achievement of the objective will require, as a minimum, the following tasks. Stage 1: Literature review encompassing the traffic data collection requirements of pavement design and analysis applications, the issue of variability and accuracy of traffic data. Particular emphasis should be placed on pertinent documentation from NCHRP projects 1-37A and 1-39, and the pooled-fund project Accuracy of Traffic Load Monitoring and Projections Related to Traffic Data Collection Parameters. Also, review FHWA documentation of LTPP traffic data and traffic data analysis findings, and state highway agency practices with regard to pavement analysis and the application of traffic data. Based on the literature review, identify: A set of key pavement design and analysis scenarios for further study beginning with the levels defined in NCHRP 1-37A and 1-39. Gaps in the current state of knowledge with regard to the sensitivity of the selected pavement design and analysis applications to traffic data inputs. Gaps in the current state of knowledge with regard to variability in traffic data, and impact of different sampling schemes on the accuracy of cumulative traffic estimates at varying levels of detail (e.g, AADT, ESAL, cumulative axle load spectra). Stage 2: Evaluate (conduct sensitivity analyses of) the selected pavement design and analysis applications as required to fill the gaps identified in 2b. Based on the findings of the literature review and 3, define the traffic data collection requirements (data types, accuracy, and reporting frequency) for each selected application. Analyze LTPP traffic data to fill the gaps identified in 2c. Based on the findings from 4 and 5, define a traffic data collection scheme (type of data collected, data collection period and frequency) consistent with the traffic data collection needs defined in 4. Problem Funding and Research Period: Funding = $267,810 Research Period: Jan. 23, 2003 to June 23, 2004 Urgency, Payoff Potential, and Implementation: Currently, agencies lack the information needed to support sound decisions as to the optimal deployment of traffic data collection equipment and personnel for pavement design and analysis applications. The proposed research will provide a factual basis for decisions on deployment of traffic monitoring systems, thereby enabling scarce resources to be utilized in the most effective manner possible. The impact of this improvement will "ripple through" virtually all highway agency activities, by virtue of the resulting improvements in the traffic data available to support decisions with regard to pavement maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction.	More Information Completed/Active Projects Expanded Strategic Plan in HTML NCHRP Projects Pavement Publications Preliminary Analysis Project Statements Strategic Plan in PDF Events View all Upcoming Pavements Events Contact Customer Service 202-493-3035 E-mail Customer
	This page last modified on 06/02/06