Development and attribution of a linear referencing system for managing and disseminating traffic volume data on rural highway networks

Abstract

Developing and disseminating system-wide traffic volume data are critical objectives of traffic monitoring programs (TMPs). This data is typically displayed on maps to communicate spatial traffic patterns on a highway network. Linear referencing systems (LRSs) are essential in this process; however, little research exists on sequencing highway networks and attributing traffic volumes to sequences. This research addresses this knowledge gap by developing four criteria for segmenting highway networks into sequences and three multipart principals for attributing volume data to sequences. These procedures are applied to segment a linearly referenced highway network into sequences of homogenous flow and attribute traffic volume to those sequences. ArcGIS® tools facilitate the iterative consideration of these criteria and principals. Manitoba data is used in this research; however, the procedures are transferable. This research enables practitioners to improve traffic volume maps and reveals the importance of evaluating TMPs when changes are made highway networks or sampling programs.