Travel Time on Arterials and Rural Highways: State-of-the-Practice Synthesis on Rural Data Collection Technology
5. Conclusion
Real-time travel time information can be valuable to
both motorists and transportation agencies. While
travel time practices are relatively well-established
on major freeways, rural highways pose unique
challenges, and few practitioners have experience
collecting travel time data on rural roads. This report
provides practitioners with information on the current
and emerging technologies available for RTT data
collection, summarizes current practice, and provides
a set of key considerations and questions to ask when
planning and operating an RTT program.
Although RTT data collection is a relatively new
and rapidly evolving area, RTT can be successfully
implemented when a project is properly planned and
executed. The importance of proper planning cannot
be overstated. Successful implementers have carefully
considered project objectives and have provided
detailed implementation plans. Regardless of the latest
specific data collection technology released, asking the
right questions is paramount, beginning with planning,
continuing to the selection stage, and culminating with
execution and evaluation. Practitioners who focus on
asking the right questions and heed the lessons learned
by colleagues will greatly increase the chances of a
successful implementation.