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Basic live information on traffic and pedestrian flows is essential to the work of the traffic engineer.
For example:
- Theoretical models require actual base data in the calibration stage.
- Traffic signals need to be re-timed based upon current volumes and delays.
- Bus and taxi terminals are designed based upon anticipated usage.
A variety of surveys to gather this type of data are carried out by the Branch as a matter of routine.
Automated Surveys
Long term traffic surveys are carried out on most of the freeways and some of the arterials using automatic traffic monitoring equipment.
The system uses loop detectors buried in the road which "sense" the presence of a metallic object (a car, bus etc.). This data is recorded in the traffic monitor and transmitted back to the control centre over a telephone line.
The recorded data (Volume , Speed, Headway, Density) is stored on a VAX-4000 in a database for ease of retrieval.
Manual Counts
Surveys requiring classification by vehicle type and occupancy, or pedestrian volumes, are carried out by direct observation. The Branch has historic information, from over the past 15 years, of traffic volumes stored online in a database.)
Other Surveys
Other surveys carried out by the Branch include:
- Journey Time Surveys
- 12 Hour Traffic Volume Intersections
- Sound Monitoring Surveys
- Radar Speed Surveys
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