Data Collection and Monitoring

What Do the Numbers Say? Collecting Data and Monitoring the System

A key piece of the Congestion Management Process is the establishment of a program for data collection and system monitoring.

Baltimore Metropolitan Council recognizes the importance of collecting data. As a result, BMC works in partnership and provides financial support to local jurisdictions and the State Highway Administration to collect traffic counts at over 500 locations.

What We Measure

Roadway

• Vehicle volumes (direction, time of day, peak hour, average daily traffic)
• Volume/Capacity ratios by direction and time of day
• Intersection Level of Service – average queue length, delay
• Miles operating at LOS E or F in peak period
• Duration of congestion

Transit

• Average speeds or travel time
• Ratio of bus to auto speed (for bus systems)
• Average peak period vehicle load factors (passenger miles per seat miles; passengers per vehicle)

How We Measure Congestion
A number of sources are used to determine congested corridors in the Baltimore region. In addition to looking at currently congested roadways, BMC also looks at potential congestion on new roads.

• Using GPS to Monitor Traffic - Since 1998, BMC has used Global Positioning System units to collect travel time and travel speeds on 30 of the heaviest traveled roadways. How congested is your community? Learn more…
  
  
• Aerial Surveys of Congestion- Every three years BMC staff uses extensive aerial surveys to monitor traffic quality on the freeway system in the metro area. Explore the results of the 2005 survey… 

For more information:
Bala Akundi, bakundi@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1019.

Photo: Evening Rush hour congestion (pdf: click photo to enlarge)

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 06:11