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Federal Highway Administration
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Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
| Report |
| This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information |
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| Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-04-039 Date: July 2004 |
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-04-039 Date: July 2004 |
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"Traffic analysis tools" is a collective term used to describe a variety of software-based analytical procedures and methodologies that support different aspects of traffic and transportation analyses. Traffic analysis tools include methodologies such as sketch-planning, travel demand modeling, traffic signal optimization, and traffic simulation. While traffic analysis tools have the capability to provide meaningful insights into transportation analyses, far too often they are misapplied. Namely, the most appropriate tool for the job is not the tool that is used.
The purpose of this Decision Support Methodology for Selecting Traffic Analysis Tools is to provide an overview of the role of traffic analysis tools in transportation analyses and to present a detailed methodology for selecting the appropriate tool for the job at hand. The report describes the selection process including selection criteria and worksheets that can be used in applying the selection process.
This document serves as Volume II in the Traffic Analysis Toolbox. Other volumes currently in the toolbox include: Volume I: Traffic Analysis Tools Primer and Volume III: Guidelines for Applying Traffic Microsimulation Modeling Software.
The intended audience for this report is the transportation professional or analyst who uses traffic analysis tools and makes decisions on the types of analyses to use.
Jeffery A. Lindley, P.E. Director
Office of Transportation Management
Notice
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document.
The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers' names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the object of the document.
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