DERIVING THE CONSTANCY OF TRAFFIC FLOW COMPOSITION FROM VEHICLE REGISTRATION DATA

Using time-series records of vehicle registrations observed passing given points in an urban network, we are able to show the extent to which the flow on given links is made up of the same vehicles day after day. Despite some unexpectedly serious problems over the accuracy of roadside observation of registration plates, we are also able to demonstrate how the probability of reappearance of an individual vehicle varies with the time of day when it was first observed, with the time period between observations and with the characteristics of the route being monitored. When these data are compared with more conventional estimates of variability in individuals' travel behaviour and route choice derived from journey logs and from individuals' statements as to the variability in their travel arrangements, it is immediately clear that both of these techniques seriously underestimate the true extent of variability. The paper includes discussion of the consequences of this underestimation and of the potential role of accurately determined measures of variability in survey design, traffic management practice and assignment modelling.

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  • Corporate Authors:

    Printerhall Limited

    29 Newmart Street
    London W1P 3PE,   England 
  • Authors:
    • Bonsall, P
    • Montgomery, F
    • JONES, C
  • Publication Date: 1984-7

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00396521
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-037 573
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Aug 31 1985 12:00AM