Performance Evaluation and Correction Functions for Automated Pedestrian and Bicycle Counting Technologies
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 3
Abstract
Automated counting technologies are one of the fastest growing sources of data in the non-motorized transportation field. Although automated counts make it possible to collect data for longer time periods and to document temporal variations in volumes more effectively than manual counts, all of the technologies being used are subject to systematic miscount rates that must be accounted for to generate accurate volume estimates. In this paper, accuracy and precision rates are tested for six automated pedestrian and bicycle counting technologies: passive infrared, active infrared, radio beam, pneumatic tubes, inductive loops, and piezoelectric strips. For some technologies, multiple products are tested. Counting devices were installed at 13 sites in seven cities to introduce variation in environmental (weather) conditions and volume levels, and manual validation counts were conducted based on video footage taken at each of the test sites. Correction functions are developed for each technology to increase accuracy of volume estimates. Various environmental conditions including temperature, rain, and lighting are tested in the development of the correction functions. For most technologies, a net undercount effect was observed that appears to worsen at higher volumes. Average error rates (average percentage deviation) for the tested technologies range from 0.55% for inductive loops to for pneumatic tubes. However, after applying correction functions accuracy improves for nearly all technologies.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) for funding. NCHRP arranged a volunteer project oversight panel, whose many valuable comments and criticisms made this project a success. The authors also recognize the major contributions of the rest of the research team, in particular Paul Ryus (Principal Investigator), Erin Ferguson (Co-Investigator), and Kelly Laustsen (Co-Investigator) at Kittelson & Associates, Inc., and Tony Hull at Toole Design Group. City, county, and university staff in all of the jurisdictions with study sites provided invaluable support in terms of obtaining permission to install counting equipment. Finally, thanks to all of the technology vendors who provided free or discounted counting equipment and technical support throughout the project.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 3 • March 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 19, 2014
Accepted: Oct 15, 2015
Published online: Jan 6, 2016
Published in print: Mar 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Jun 6, 2016
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