This section identifies criteria that can be considered in the selection of an appropriate traffic analysis tool and helps identify under what circumstances a particular tool should be used. Section 3.0 of this document contains guidance on how to use this information to select the appropriate tool.
Sections 2.1 and 2.2 present the criteria a user should consider when selecting a type of traffic analysis tool. The first step is identification of the analytical context for the task: planning, design, or operations/construction. Seven additional criteria are necessary to help identify the analytical tools that are most appropriate for a particular project. Depending on the analytical context and the project's goals and objectives, the relevance of each criterion may differ. The criteria include:
Each analytical tool category was evaluated against each criterion to identify whether or not a category of analytical tool was appropriate for use. This evaluation is presented in the form of matrices. In each matrix cell, a value has been assigned to each tool category according to its relevance or applicability to the corresponding criterion. A solid circle () indicates that the particular tool category adequately addresses the criterion. An empty circle () indicates that the traffic analysis tool category poorly addresses the specific criterion. A null symbol () indicates that some tools within the tool category may address the criterion and others may not. Not applicable indicates that the particular tool category does not address the corresponding criterion at all and should not be used for the analysis.
Figure 2 summarizes the criteria that may be considered for the selection of a tool category.
The steps for selecting the appropriate type of analytical tool are:
Step-by-step guidance for the tool selection process is presented in section 3.0. An automated tool that implements the guidance can be found at the FHWA Traffic Analysis Tools Web site at: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Travel/Traffic_Analysis_Tools/traffic_analysis_toolbox.htm
Finally, a listing of available tools for each category and their Web site links are provided in section 4.0.
The first step in selecting the appropriate type of traffic analysis tool is the identification of the analytical context of the project. Figure 2 illustrates a typical transportation analysis process, which contains several analytical phases, including:
Table 1 presents the general relevance of each tool category for each analytical context, including planning, design, and operations/construction.
Analytical Context |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planning |
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Design |
Not Applicable |
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Operations/ Construction |
Notes:
Specific context is generally addressed by the corresponding analytical tool/methodology.
Some of the analytical tools/methodologies address the specific context and some do not.
The particular analytical tool/methodology does not generally address the specific context.
Not Applicable:
The particular methodology is not appropriate for use in addressing the specific context.
Notes and Assumptions: The role of these tools may vary according to the analytical context. For example, the use of simulation can differ considerably for planning versus operations. In planning, the system does not exist and modeling or simulation is necessary for analyzing alternatives. However, when considering traffic-responsive control measures for an existing system, real measurements should first be considered, while simulation plays a secondary role.
Criteria 1 through 7 from Figure 2 are discussed in the following sections, with the first six criteria focusing on the various technical aspects of the analysis (e.g., facility type, travel mode, management strategy, etc.), while criterion 7 helps to identify the best tool category from a management/operational perspective.
Traffic analysis tools have varying degrees of capabilities with respect to the analytical environment and geographic scope of the project. Table 2 summarizes the general relevance of each tool category based on the study area/geographic scope appropriate for the task. Four types of study areas are included:
Analytical Context/ |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planning: Isolated Location |
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Planning: Segment |
(for linear networks) |
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Planning: Corridor/ Small Network |
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Planning: Region |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | ||
Design: Isolated Location |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable | |||||
Design: Segment |
Not Applicable | ||||||
Design: Corridor/ Small Network |
Not Applicable | ||||||
Design: Region |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | ||||
Operations/ Construction: Isolated Location |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable | |||||
Operations/ Construction: Segment |
|||||||
Operations/ Construction: Corridor/ Small Network |
Not Applicable | ||||||
Operations/ Construction: Region |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Notes: Specific context is generally addressed by the corresponding analytical tool/methodology.
Some of the analytical tools/methodologies address the specific context and some do not.
The particular analytical tool/methodology does not generally address the specific context.
Not Applicable: The particular methodology is not appropriate for use in addressing the specific context.
This section discusses the ability of the tools to analyze various facility types. Definitions for the facility types were based on HCM 2000. The relevance of the analytical tool categories with respect to the facility-type criterion is presented in Table 3.
Facility Type |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Isolated Intersection |
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Roundabout |
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Arterial |
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Highway |
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Freeway |
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HOV Lane |
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HOV Bypass Lane |
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Ramp |
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Auxiliary Lane |
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Reversible Lane |
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Truck Lane |
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Bus Lane |
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Toll Plaza |
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Light-Rail Line |
Notes: Specific context is generally addressed by the corresponding analytical tool/methodology.
Some of the analytical tools/methodologies address the specific context and some do not.
The particular analytical tool/methodology does not generally address the specific context.
The facility types include:
Notes and Assumptions: Generally, it is not appropriate to optimize a two-lane highway or roundabout.
Table 4 presents a matrix rating the appropriateness of each tool category in analyzing the different travel modes.
Travel Mode |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOV |
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HOV |
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Bus |
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Rail |
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Truck |
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Motorcycle |
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Bicycle |
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Pedestrian |
Notes: Specific context is generally addressed by the corresponding analytical tool/methodology.
Some of the analytical tools/methodologies address the specific context and some do not.
The particular analytical tool/methodology does not generally address the specific context.
The definitions for the travel modes are based on HCM 2000:
The following are the major classifications of transportation management strategies (adapted from the National ITS Architecture):
Table 5 summarizes tool category relevance for analyzing major traffic management strategies. A more detailed listing of management strategies, which can be helpful in the selection of a specific traffic analysis tool, is presented in Appendix C.
Management Strategy and Applications |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Freeway Management |
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Arterial Intersections |
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Arterial Management |
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Incident Management |
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Emergency Management |
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Work Zones |
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Special Events |
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Advanced Public Transportation System |
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Advanced Traveler Information System |
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Electronic Payment System |
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Rail Grade Crossing Monitors |
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Commercial Vehicle Operations |
|||||||
Advanced Vehicle Control and Safety System |
|||||||
Weather Management |
|||||||
Travel Demand Management |
Notes: Specific context is generally addressed by the corresponding analytical tool/methodology.
Some of the analytical tools/methodologies address the specific context and some do not.
The particular analytical tool/methodology does not generally address the specific context.
Notes and Assumptions:
In response to different operational improvements, travelers can change their route of travel, change their time of travel (temporal choice), can use a different mode of transportation, change their destination, or completely cancel or create a new trip (induced/foregone demand). Table 6 indicates how well or how poorly the analytical tool categories can model the following traveler responses:
Travel Mode |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Route Diversion: Pre-Trip |
Not Applicable | ||||||
Route Diversion: En Route |
Not Applicable | ||||||
Mode Shift |
Not Applicable | ||||||
Departure Time Choice |
Not Applicable | ||||||
Destination Change |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | |||
Induced/Foregone Demand |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Notes: Specific context is generally addressed by the corresponding analytical tool/methodology.
Some of the analytical tools/methodologies address the specific context and some do not.
The particular analytical tool/methodology does not generally address the specific context.
Not Applicable: The particular methodology is not appropriate for use in addressing the specific context.
Notes and Assumptions:
This section discusses the ability of the tool categories to produce various performance measures in the areas of safety, efficiency, mobility, productivity, and the environment (as summarized in Table 7).
Performance Measures |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LOS |
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Speed |
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Travel Time |
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Volume |
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Travel Distance |
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Ridership |
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Average Vehicle Occupancy (AVO) |
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V/C Ratio |
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Density |
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VMT/PMT |
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VHT/PHT |
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Delay |
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Queue Length |
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Number of Stops |
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Crashes |
|||||||
Incident Duration |
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Travel Time Reliability |
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Emissions |
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Fuel Consumption |
|||||||
Noise |
|||||||
Mode Split |
|||||||
Benefit/Cost |
Notes: Specific context is generally addressed by the corresponding analytical tool/methodology.
Some of the analytical tools/methodologies address the specific context and some do not.
The particular analytical tool/methodology does not generally address the specific context.
The performance measures discussed in this section include:
Notes and Assumptions:
While the first six criteria help to evaluate the appropriateness of each tool category from a technical perspective, the seventh criteria (tool/cost-effectiveness) helps evaluate management and operational considerations for selecting the most appropriate tool category. Resource requirements, whether they are financial, personnel, or skill-related, can be a major consideration in selecting an analytical tool. In addition, using a more advanced and data-intensive tool may provide a greater understanding of the alternatives; however, accurate and detailed data are still needed to produce representative results. The level of effort and the operational characteristics criteria to be considered are summarized in Table 8 and include the following:
Tool/Cost Effectiveness |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Sketch Planning |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Travel Demand Models |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Analytical/ Deterministic Tools (HCM-Based) |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Traffic Optimization |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Macroscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Mesoscopic Simulation |
Analytical Tools/ Methodologies: Microscopic Simulation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tool Capital Cost |
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Level of Effort |
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Easy to Use |
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Popular/ Well Trusted |
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Hardware Requirements |
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Data Requirements |
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Computer Run Time |
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Post-Processing Requirements |
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Documentation |
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User Support |
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Key Parameters Can Be User-Defined |
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Default Values Are Provided |
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Integration with Other Software (e.g., Excel, GIS) |
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Animation/ Presentation |
Note: See section 2.2.7 above for descriptions of , , and , for each subcriteria.
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