Traffic Volume Data (Single Value)

A summary of Urban SDK's Single-Value Traffic Volume Data specification.

1.0 Introduction

Traffic Volume metrics are calculated based on Urban SDK's Traffic Volume model and quantify the number of vehicles that travel along a segment of road. The data is processed to calculate the following metrics:

Traffic Volume (AADT)
Traffic Volume (AAHT)
Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT)

2.0 Methodology

Data Collection

Urban SDK leverages data inputs from public Permanent Count Stations (PCS) as well as Location-Based Services (LBS) data to develop a model to estimate traffic volume (AADT) on every segment of road.

Data Processing

Urban SDK develops and maintains its own Traffic Volume model to estimate AADT. The model takes inspiration from FHWA's AADT methodology, however while FHWA uses simple equations, weights, or regression models, Urban SDK uses more complex statistical models and machine learning. This offers the ability iterate, learn, improve, and expedite predictive AADT outputs. This is an iterative approach that strives to produce the lowest mean average deviation (MAD) for factored AADT.

AADT_model_graphic

💡Tip: The AADT model developed for estimating Traffic Volume leverages machine learning to improve and enhance the accuracy of results based on new traffic counts and features that are continuously adjusted by Urban SDK's data scientists to reduce the Mean Average Error (MAE) of output results.

Traffic Volume (AADT) | Annual Average Daily Traffic

Estimates the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) volume along a segment of road. This is a daily value provided annually as a sum of traffic along the road.

NOTE: The data is provided as an annual average value, presented as a single daily figure. Any report generated for a specific year will reflect the same Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) volume.

Traffic Volume (AAHT) | Annual Average Hourly Traffic

Estimates the Average Annual Hourly Traffic (AAHT) volume along a segment of road. For Aggregated Insights reports where data is provided by period of day, the value represents the max hourly volume within the selected period(s). For Daily Insights reports where data is provided by hour of day, the AAHT is provided as the calculated hourly value.

NOTE: The data represents an annual average value, broken down by day of the week, period of day, and hour of day. Any report generated for a specific year will reflect the same Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) volume, presented as a typical week.

Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT)

Vehicle Miles Travelled quantifies the estimated annual vehicle miles travelled along a segment of road. This is an annual value provided as a sum of miles travelled.

Vehicle Miles Travelled: The Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) is multiplied by the road segment length and the product is multiplied by 365 days.

Vehicle Miles Travelled = AADT * (Road Segment Length) * 356 Days

NOTE: The data is provided as a single annual value. Any report generated for a specific year will reflect the same Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).

3.0 Data Specification

Metadata Fields

Metadata fields that are provided for all data are detailed in Urban SDK's Linear Referencing System (LRS) specification.

Data Fields

The following table is the format in which downloaded Traffic Volume data will be provided:

Field	Type	Description
`year`	integer	The year associated with the provided data.
`data_value`	string	Identifies which data is provided: Traffic Volume; or Vehicle Miles Travelled
`period`	integer	The period of day associated with the provided data as an integer between 1 and 7: Overnight: 12 am - 3:59 am Early Morning: 4 am - 6:59 am AM Peak: 7 am - 9:59 am Midday: 10 am - 12:59 pm Early Afternoon: 1 pm - 3:59 pm PM Peak: 4 pm - 6:59 pm Evening: 7 pm - 11:59 pm
`hour`	integer	The hour of day associated with the provided data as an integer between 1 and 24.
`monday_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Mondays within the selected hour or period.
`tuesday_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Tuesdays within the selected hour or period.
`wednesday_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Wednesdays within the selected hour or period.
`thursday_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Thursdays within the selected hour or period.
`friday_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Fridays within the selected hour or period.
`saturday_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Saturdays within the selected hour or period.
`sunday_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Sundays within the selected hour or period.
`weekdays_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Weekdays within the selected hour or period.
`weekends_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for Weekend days within the selected hour or period.
`weekly_aaht`	integer	The calculated max Annual Average Hourly Traffic (AAHT) value for a typical week within the selected hour or period.
`aadt`	integer	single-value Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) value.
`vmt`	integer	single-value Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) value.