Passenger Vehicle Survey: Traffic and Vehicle Classification Summary

Transcription

1 TRANSPORTATION Final Report The Preparation of a Northern Ontario and Commercial Vehicle Origin-Destination Survey Vehicle Survey: Traffic and Vehicle Classification Summary Submitted to Ministry of Transportation, Ontario by IBI Group October 3, 213

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3 Table of Contents 1. Introduction Field Traffic Count Collection Classification Count Categorization and Validation Standardization/Categorization of Vehicle Classification Data... 8 Categorization of Loop Data (Length-Based Vehicle Classification) 9 Categorization of Tube Data (Axle-Based Vehicle Classification) Visual Inspection of Traffic Count Data Development of Average Weekly Traffic Profile Traffic Count Summary Seasonal Trends Summary and Conclusions Appendix A: Traffic Classification Count Inventory Appendix B: Detailed ATR/Manual/Video Counts Comparisons Appendix C: Original ATR Data - Hourly Traffic Profiles Appendix D: Traffic Count Adjustments Appendix E: Average Weekly Traffic Profiles OCTOBER 3, 213 i

4 Table of Contents (continued) List of Exhibits Exhibit 1.1: Vehicle Survey and Traffic Classification Count Locations... 2 Exhibit 2.1: Summary of Traffic Count Locations and Schedule... 5 Exhibit 2.2: Pneumatic Tubes and Recording Equipment Installed in the Field... 6 Exhibit 3.1: Vehicle Classification Systems by Count Type... 8 Exhibit 3.2: Manual Traffic Classification Counts (3-Hour Count s)... 1 Exhibit 3.3: ATR Traffic Classification Counts vs. Manual Traffic Classification, 3-Hour s Exhibit 3.4: Vehicle Classification Systems Equivalencies/Mapping Exhibit 4.1: Average Daily Traffic and Percentage Truck Volumes by Survey Station and Season Exhibit 4.2: Weekly Summary of 211/212 Final Traffic Counts by Site Exhibit 4.3: Weekday/Weekend Summary of 211/212 Final Traffic Counts by Site Exhibit 4.4: Comparison of Fall and Summer Traffic Classification Counts... 2 OCTOBER 3, 213 ii

5 1. Introduction The Growth Plan for Northern Ontario directs the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to develop a Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy. This strategy will chart a long-term course for future planning, policy, programs, and infrastructure investment opportunities. An important starting point to developing a sound strategy is having an accurate and comprehensive understanding of travel patterns and characteristics in the region. Origin-destination travel surveys provide a rich source of such travel information. MTO has retained IBI Group to conduct origin-surveys at a number of sites throughout Northern Ontario on the provincial highway network and at international border crossings. The survey program consists of three components: a commercial vehicle survey; a passenger vehicle survey; and traffic classification counts. This report describes the traffic classification counts related to the passenger vehicle survey portion of the study only, and includes the following: description of field traffic count collection, including equipment selection and count scheduling; description of the process of standardization of raw count data from various original vehicle classification systems into broader vehicle categories for analysis purposes, and development of weekly traffic profiles; and summaries of final traffic count results. Other aspects of the survey are documented separately, including survey design and conduct, data processing, and travel profile reports. The passenger vehicle surveys were conducted during late summer/early fall 211 and in summer 212 at 11 locations: 4 international border crossings, where driver-intercept surveys were conducted; and 7 provincial highway locations where licence-plate recording/mailback surveys were conducted. A total of 13 sets of bi-directional traffic classification counts were conducted, as 2 of the sites were surveyed in both 211 and 212. These survey locations are shown in Exhibit 1.1. Traffic counts at each site were scheduled to coincide with passenger vehicle survey periods to the extent possible. OCTOBER 3, 213 1

6 Exhibit 1.1: Vehicle Survey and Traffic Classification Count Locations OCTOBER 3, 213 2

7 IBI Group engaged Traffic Survey Analysis (TSA) to perform vehicle counts and classifications at each survey site with analysis of counts and classifications, and expansion of data conducted by IBI Group. The goal for the traffic data collection was to carry out two weeks of vehicle classification counts aggregated to half-hour intervals at each survey site to provide a basis for developing a oneweek profile of typical travel conditions. Counts were conducted at each site using Automatic Traffic Recorders (ATRs) appropriate to site conditions and validated by 5 hours of video footage and 3 hours of manual classification counts within the ATR data collection period. A key aspect of the analysis of the traffic count data for this study was to develop a customized methodology to account for large passenger vehicles automobiles/pick-up trucks with trailers, and recreational vehicles, which are especially prevalent in Northern Ontario compared to Southern Ontario, at about 7 % of total passenger vehicles. Any automatic traffic count technology tends to have difficulty correctly classifying such vehicles, as they appear very similar to straight trucks or small commercial trucks with trailers, but are used for very different purposes. The state-of-practice in analysis of traffic classification count data typically does not include any particular accounting of these types of passenger vehicles, and typically they remain in large part mixed in with commercial vehicles in the final datasets. Development of this customized methodology, explained in Chapter 3, helps ensure that the resulting count data are reliable for analysis of traffic and travel in Northern Ontario. OCTOBER 3, 213 3

8 2. Field Traffic Count Collection This section describes the count equipment used for the collection of raw traffic classification count data in the field, and summarizes the dates of raw traffic classification count data collection at each site. A summary of the count technology, count location coordinates, and the dates and the duration of usable traffic count data at each passenger vehicle survey station is provided in Exhibit 2.1. A detailed traffic count inventory, showing the dates and duration of automatic, manual, and video counts per day is included in Appendix A. Two types of Automatic Traffic Recording (ATR) equipment were used for traffic classification counts at passenger-vehicle survey stations, as follows: Permanent loop detectors: Induction loop detector hardware is permanently installed in the road pavement surface at numerous locations throughout the provincial road network. Where the loops are suitably located in relation to the survey sites, and the loop hardware is in good maintenance and is functional, recording equipment can be plugged into the loops to collect length-based vehicle classification data. This method for collecting classification count data was used where possible, especially for high-speed roadway locations. Pneumatic tube counters: TSA has had very good experience with tube pneumatic road tube counters, when configured and installed correctly, with two tubes dedicated to each lane of traffic. Tube counters are able to provide vehicle classification that takes into account the number and spacing of vehicle axles and can classify into the standard FHWA thirteen-category system. Tube counters cannot be used on high-speed roadways (9 km or greater), as the tube equipment cannot withstand the wear and tear. They can also be damaged by heavy construction equipment and snowploughs. Where loop detectors hardware was not available or not well situated relative to the survey site, pneumatic tubes were used for counts, where feasible. A third type of ATR equipment, Nu-Metric counters, were also considered but were not used for traffic classification counts for passenger vehicle survey stations. Nu-Metric counters provide length-based classification similar to permanent loop detectors, but have the disadvantages of safety (because they have a raised profile, they can be dangerous for motorcyclists), low durability (given the high cost of the equipment, this can make their use quite costly), and the need for more elaborate and costly traffic control to install, monitor, and remove the equipment safely on high-speed roadways. Diamond Unicorn classifiers were used to collect and classify the signals from ATRS, connected directly to both loop detectors and tube counters. OCTOBER 3, 213 4

9 Exhibit 2.1: Summary of Traffic Count Locations and Schedule Stn Location Dir Fall 211 Border Crossings - Fort Frances - Pigeon River - Rainy River - Sault Ste. Marie Provincial Highway Sites Highway 17 at Ontario- Manitoba border Highway 69 north of Parry Sound Highway 11 south of North Bay (212) 4 Highway 17 west of Mattawa Summer 212 Border Crossings - Sault Ste. Marie Provincial Highway Sites 2A 3 5 Highway 69 north of Parry Sound Highway 11 south of North Bay Highway 11/17 west of Nipigon 6 Highway 17 west of Sudbury Count Type Latitude Longitude Start Date End Date Days of Usable Counts NB Sept. 23 Oct Tube SB Sept. 23 Oct NB 14 Loop Sept. 2 Oct. 3 SB 14 EB 14 Tube Sept. 22 Oct. 5 WB 14 NB 8.2 Tube Sept. 19 Oct. 2 SB 14 EB 14 Tube Sept. 22 Oct. 5 WB 14 NB 14 Loop Sept. 23 Oct. 7 SB 14 NB 27 adj.* 27 adj.* - Loop SB Oct. 23 Nov EB Tube Sept. 28 Oct. 2 WB 13 ** NB 14 Tube July 19 Aug. 2 SB 14 NB 14 Loop July 17 July 3 SB 14 NB Loop July 12 July 25 SB EB 14 Loop July 8 July 21 WB 14 EB 14 Loop July 15 July 29 WB 14 Notes * Counts at Station 3 southbound were conducted in 212. Northbound loop detectors were not functioning at the time. The final counts the northbound direction are based on classification counts conducted in April 27, adjusted to reflect 212 traffic levels. ** Counts from rsday, October 6 through day, October 1 (Thanksgiving weekend) are not included in the total 13 ** Traffic control and road safety precautions based on OTM Book 7 were followed to ensure the safety of the traffic count survey crews during the installation and monitoring of the count equipment and/or counters. Installation of equipment included the following: At permanent loop detector stations, the traffic recording equipment was plugged into the roadside connections immediately beside each set of loops; and OCTOBER 3, 213 5

10 At sites where pneumatic tube counters were used, a straight, flat section of roadway in the vicinity of the survey was first identified for optimum performance of the tube counter, and also for the safety of the crew during installation and removal of the counter. Hilly locations were avoided to prevent the tubes from rolling or being pulled as vehicles passed over them. Immediately prior to installation, the tubes were checked for general condition and to ensure they were free of debris. End plugs were inserted into the end not plugged into the traffic recorder. The tubes were then laid across the roadway and the tubes were nailed to the pavement. An example showing tube counters as typically installed in the field, is shown in Exhibit 2.2, from Station 1, Highway 17 near the Ontario-Manitoba border. Exhibit 2.2: Pneumatic Tubes and Recording Equipment Installed in the Field Traffic counts were generally conducted during the same periods as the corresponding passenger vehicle surveys: between mid-september and early October for 211 surveys, and between early July and early August for 212 surveys. To represent typical weekly patterns, surveys and counts were not conducted during holiday periods (Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Canada Day, August Civic holiday weekends, etc.). The goal for traffic data collection was to collect a full two weeks of traffic counts at each location, although a minimum of 7 days of counts can provide sufficient data for the development of a reliable weekly traffic count profile. At most sites a full 14 days of raw traffic classification count data were collected. Fewer days of data collection resulted when there was damage to the count equipment or due to counter battery issues. OCTOBER 3, 213 6

11 3. Classification Count Categorization and Validation The raw vehicle classification data have differing native classification systems, as shown in Exhibit 3.1. To standardize and analyse the classification count data, the raw data were categorized into the following broader groupings: (PV): this includes autos and light-duty vehicles including those with trailers, motorcycles and recreational vehicles; Buses: these are kept separate from other passenger vehicles in analysis; (SU); and (MU) (straight trucks with trailers or transport truck combinations). The process of categorizing the raw classification count data involved developing a good understanding of how large passenger vehicles in the traffic mix were picked up by the count equipment. This was made possible through the manual count data that were taken concurrently with 3 hours of the ATR data. After categorizing the counts into standard groupings that account for the large passenger vehicles, the validation and standardization process also included the following steps: The two-week counts were plotted to identify and exclude anomalous data, e.g. unusually low volumes that may be due to temporary traffic incidents; Other site-specific adjustments were made to the data as needed; and Only representative count data were carried forward to develop a one-week profile of traffic data. OCTOBER 3, 213 7

12 Exhibit 3.1: Vehicle Classification Systems by Count Type Manual Counts 1. Autos, small passenger and cargo vans( 2 axle, 4 tire), SUVs, pick-up trucks 2. Vans and pick-up trucks with trailers 3. Recreational 4. Buses 5. Small Straight Truck (cargo vans with 2 axles and 6 wheels) 6. Medium Straight (3 axles) 7. Large Straight (4 axles or more) 8. Straight Truck and Trailer ( other than the vehicles identified in Group 2) 9. Tractor Only (power unit of the tractor-trailer) 1. Tractor and Trailer 11. Tractor and 2Trailers. 12. Motorcycles Loop Counts ATR (Length-Based Classification) Bin 1: 6.49 m cars (5.5 m on average), pick-ups, vans, SUVs, motorcycles Bin 2 * : m truck tractors, straight trucks, cars and pick-ups pulling trailers, recreational vehicles (RVs), school buses, city buses Bin 3: m most trucks or tractors with 1 trailer; intercity buses Bin 4: m a small proportion of tractor plus one trailer (esp. floats, car carriers),; some truck tractors with 2 trailers Bin 5: greater than 23.1 m truck tractors with 2+ trailers Tube Counts ATR (Axle-Based Classification) 1. Motorcycles 2. cars (with or without one or two-axle trailer) 3. Two axle, four tire vehicles (with or without one or two-axle trailer) 4. Buses 5. Two axle, six tire single unit 6. Three axle single unit 7. Four or more axle single unit 8. Three or four axle single-trailer 9. Five axle single-trailer 1. Six or more axle single-trailer 11. Five or fewer axle multi-trailer 12. Six axle multi-trailer 13. Seven or more axle vehicles Note: * A finer length bin classification separating Bin 2 into three smaller bins of m, m, and m was used in 212 counts, but due to overlaps in the types of vehicles within the sub-bins, the smaller bins were re-combined as a single Bin Standardization/Categorization of Vehicle Classification Data Only manual classification of vehicles can reliably identify large passenger vehicles in the traffic mix, as ATR counts tend to identify these as trucks, i.e. for commercial purposes, which have very different travel patterns from passenger vehicles. Analysis of the manual classification counts conducted during a portion of the ATR classification counts was key to developing the method of categorizing the raw ATR data into broader groupings of passenger vehicle, bus, single-unit truck, and multi-unit truck. The process used for grouping the detailed original vehicle classification systems to the standardized analysis categories is described in the subsections below. A summary of the 3-hour manual classification counts is included as Exhibit 3.2, and includes the ratios of large passenger vehicles RVs and automobiles/pickups to straight automobiles/pick-ups without trailers; these ratios are used in categorizing length-based classification data, described below. More detailed manual/video/atr comparisons are included in Appendix B, including counts by half-hour interval. Manual and video counts were conducted at all sites with the exception of the Sault Ste. Marie border due to security concerns of the Canadian Border Services Agency. At each survey station, three hours of manual classification OCTOBER 3, 213 8

13 counts were conducted on a sday, nesday or rsday, and where possible during the hours of 1: a.m. and 4: p.m. Five hours of continuous video was also recorded, including the 3 hours of manual counts. ATR counts for the 3-hour period corresponding to the manual counts are summarized and compared to the manual classification count totals in Exhibit 3.3, separately for loop count and tube count stations. Categorization of Loop Data (Length-Based Vehicle Classification) In the loop classification data, large passenger vehicles tend to be classified together with straight trucks in Length Bin 2 (6.5 to m). Proportions of large passenger vehicles vs. commercial vehicles in Bin 2 vary by location, by time of day and day of week. One method to separate the large passenger vehicles in Bin 2 from commercial vehicles is to assume them to be a constant proportion of Bin 2. However, this overestimates truck volumes on weekends, when there are more passenger vehicles relative to fewer commercial vehicles. Therefore, rather than assuming constant proportions of passenger vehicles vs. commercial vehicles in Bin 2, volumes of large passenger vehicles are assumed to be proportional to volumes of automobiles and light-duty vehicles (small passenger vehicles) in Bin 1. The method developed to categorize length-based traffic volumes so that the larger passenger vehicles are accounted for is as follows: Estimate large passenger vehicle and bus volumes based on Bin 1 volumes, even though these vehicles are actually in length Bin 2, using the ratios shown in Exhibit 3.2. Rather than using the precise proportion of larger passenger vehicles to straight autos for every site, which implies a false level of precision given the random variation in the relatively small sample size, general proportions indicative of a number of sites are used: Cars with trailers and RVs as a proportion of straight auto volumes: 4%, 6.6% or 9%, with lower proportions closer to urban areas and higher proportions in more remote areas; and Buses as a proportion of straight autos: to 1% per site, based on observed buses in the manual counts. Single-unit trucks are represented by Bin 2, subtracting the estimate of cars with trailers and RVs from the total. Multi-unit trucks are represented by the sum of Bins 3, 4 and 5, subtracting the estimate of buses from the total. OCTOBER 3, 213 9

14 Exhibit 3.2: Manual Traffic Classification Counts (3-Hour Count s) Manual Count Classification Single Multi- Auto Auto with -Unit Unit Auto Trailers and RVS Buses as Cycle Only Trailer RV Buses as % Autos-Only % Autos-Only Location Dir (12) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5,6,7,9) (8,1,11) Veh. Observed Used Observed Used LOOP COUNT Stations - Fall 211 Border Crossings - Pigeon River To Can % 6.6%.%.% To USA % 6.6%.%.% Provincial Highway Sites 2 Highway 69 north of Parry NB % 6.6%.7%.3% Sound* SB % 6.6%.3%.3% 3 Highway 11 south of North NB Bay (212) SB 7 1, , , % 4.%.2%.2% LOOP COUNT Stations- Summer 212 Provincial Highway Sites 2A Highway 69 north of Parry NB % 9.%.1%.1% Sound SB % 9.%.1%.1% 3 Highway 11 south of North NB** ,41 3.3% 4.%.1%.1% Bay SB ,9 2.9% 4.%.3%.1% 5 Highway 11/17 west of EB % 9.% 1.% 1.% Nipigon WB % 9.%.6% 1.% 6 Highway 17 west of EB 22 1, , , % 6.6%.3%.1% Sudbury WB ,93 7.% 6.6%.%.1% TUBE COUNT Stations - Fall 211 Border Crossings - Fort Frances To Can % -.4% - To USA % -.% - - Rainy River To Can % -.% - To USA % -.% - Provincial Highway Sites 1 Highway 17 at Ontario- EB % -.% - Manitoba border WB % -.4% - 4 Highway 17 west of EB % -.4% - Mattawa WB % -.% - TOTAL All Manual Count Locations 99 1, , ,291 12, % -.2% - Notes: * Station 2: original counts conducted south of survey site, before location adjustments. ** Northbound Station 3: original counts conducted north of survey site, before location adjustments. OCTOBER 3, 213 1

15 Exhibit 3.3: ATR Traffic Classification Counts vs. Manual Traffic Classification, 3-Hour s A. Loop Counts (Length-Based) Length Bin Counts Classification Groupings Comparison with Manual Classification from Length Bin Counts* Difference (ATR - Manual) Ratio (ATR/Manual) > Location Dir. 6.49m 12.49m 21.9m 23.m 23.m PV SU MU Bus PV SU MU * PV SU MU * Fall 211 Border Crossings - Pigeon River To Can Pigeon River to USA To USA Provincial Highway Sites 2 Highway 69 north of Parry NB Sound** SB Highway 11 south of North NB Bay (212) SB , , Summer 212 Provincial Highway Sites 2A Highway 69 north of Parry NB Sound SB Highway 11 south of North NB*** 1, ,377 1, , Bay SB 1, ,149 1, , Highway 11/17 west of EB Nipigon WB Highway 17 west of EB 1, ,288 1, , Sudbury WB , , All Loop Count Locations 8, , , Note: * includes Buses ** Station 2: original counts conducted south of survey site, before location adjustments. *** Northbound Station 3: original counts conducted north of survey site, before location adjustments. OCTOBER 3,

16 Exhibit 3.3: ATR Traffic Classification Counts vs. Manual Traffic Classification, 3-Hour s (continued) B. Tube Counts (Axle-Based) Classification Groupings Comparison with Manual Classification* Axle-Based Counts (FHWA Classes) * from Length Bin Counts* Difference (ATR - Manual) Ratio (ATR/Manual) Location Dir 1,2,3 4 5,6,7 8 9,1,11,12 13 PV SU MU Bus PV SU MU ** PV SU MU ** Fall 211 Border Crossings - Fort Frances To Can To USA Rainy River To Can To USA Provincial Highway Sites 1 Highway 17 at Ontario- EB Manitoba border WB Highway 17 west of EB Mattawa WB All Tube Count Locations 2, , Note: * Descriptions of Classes are included in Exhibit 3.1. ** includes Buses. Manual classification counts were not conducted at Sault Ste. Marie border. OCTOBER 3,

17 Categorization of Tube Data (Axle-Based Vehicle Classification) Tube count classification is based on the number and spacing of axles, and therefore can identify at least a portion of the automobiles/pick-ups with trailers and include them in Class 2 or 3 (automobile or light truck with or without trailer). (See full list of axle-based vehicle classes in Exhibit 3.1.) However, at least a portion of large passenger vehicles tend to be classified with trucks in the tube counts. Two axle-based classifications tend to contain more than one vehicle category, and are dealt with as follows: Class 8 (three-or four-axle single-trailer trucks); Class 8 tends to contain true multi-unit trucks, as well single-unit trucks with similar axle spacing, plus automobiles with trailers. Class 8 vehicles are the least common truck types among single-unit trucks and multiunit trucks. The volume of vehicles classified as Class 8 representing more than one-third the total volume of Class 5, 6, and 7 vehicles (other single-unit trucks) plus one-third the total volume of Class 9 and 1 vehicles, (other multi-unit single-trailer trucks), are assumed to be large passenger vehicles. Class 13 (seven or more axle multi-trailer vehicles): Large multitrailer vehicles are not very common among multi-unit trucks. The volume of Class 13 vehicles more than 12% relative to the total volume of Classes 11 and 12 vehicles (other multi-unit multi-trailer trucks) is taken to be misclassified automobiles spaced closely together, and multiplied by 3 to estimate total automobiles. The categorization of axle-based vehicle classes can be represented as follows: (PV) = Class 1 + Class 2 + Class 3 + remainder of Class 8 after allocation to trucks + remainder of Class 13 after allocation to trucks x 3 (i.e. misclassification of closely-spaced cars) Bus = Class 4 (SU) = Class 5 + Class 6 + Class 7 + up to 33% additional trucks from Class 8 (MU) (one-trailer) = Class 9 + Class 1 + up to 33% additional trucks from Class 8 (MU) (multi-trailer) = Class 11 + Class 12 + up to 12% additional trucks from Class 13 The methods for raw data from the original vehicle classifications into broader vehicle classification groupings are summarized in Exhibit 3.4. After mapping/grouping of ATR vehicle classifications to broader standardized vehicle groupings as described above, the results compare well to manual count OCTOBER 3,

18 totals, as was seen in Exhibit 3.3, and support the reliability of the traffic count data for purposes of the Northern Ontario survey data expansion and analysis. Exhibit 3.4: Vehicle Classification Systems Equivalencies/Mapping Source (Native Classification) Survey Analysis Classification System Vehicle Truck Truck Buses Manual/Video Counts 1. Autos, small passenger and cargo vans( 2 axle, 4 tire), SUVs, pick-up trucks 2. Vans and pick-up trucks with trailers 3. Recreational 5. Small Straight Truck (cargo vans with 2 axles and 6 wheels) 6. Medium Straight (3 axles) 7. Large Straight (4 axles or more) 8. Straight and Trailer 1. Tractor and Trailer 11. Tractor and 2 Trailers. 4. Buses 12. Motorcycles 9. Tractor Only (power unit of the tractortrailer) Loop Detectors (Length Bins) Bin 1: 6.49 m (includes motorcycles, cars and light-duty trucks/ vans without trailers) Car with Trailer + RV estimate: 1.3% to 2.5% of Bin 1, subtracted from Bins 2-4 (% in Exhibit 3.2) Bin 2: m Less Car with Trailer + RV estimate Bin 3: m Bin 4: m Bin 5: other greater than 23.1 m Less Bus estimate.1% to.5% of Bin 1, subtracted from Bin 3 (% in Exhibit 3.2). Tube Counters (FHWA Scheme F) 1. Motorcycles 2. cars 3. Two axle, four tire vehicles + Remainder of: 8. Three or four axle single-trailer after allocation to singleunit and multi-unit trucks 5. Two axle, six tire single unit 6. Three axle single unit 7. Four or more axle single unit + up to 33% additional trucks from 8. Three or four axle single-trailer 9. Five axle single-trailer 1. Six or more axle singletrailer + up to 33% additional single-trailer trucks from 8. Three or four axle single-trailer after allocation to singleunit trucks 11. Five or fewer axle multitrailer 4. Buses + Remainder of: 13. Seven or more axle multi-trailer x 3 after allocation to multitrailer trucks 12. Six axle multi-trailer + up to 12% (25% for Red Rock) additional multitrailer trucks from 13. Seven or more axle multi-trailer OCTOBER 3,

19 3.2 Visual Inspection of Traffic Count Data For each survey station and direction, plots of hourly traffic volumes for the count duration were prepared by vehicle class: passenger vehicle, single-unit truck, and multi-unit truck, and total vehicles. These plots are included as Appendix C. The plots allow a visual check of the data to ensure that daily volume patterns were realistic - e.g. weekday morning commuting peaks in one direction balanced by afternoon commuting peaks in the opposite direction. The plots also allow anomalies in the data to be identified, e.g. to traffic incidents or count equipment malfunction or irregularities. Anomalies were flagged and excluded from developing the average weekly profiles so that the weekly profiles would be based on typical conditions only. Classification count data at certain locations required adjustments so that the data would more accurately reflect conditions at the count location. These adjustments are described in Appendix D, and include the following locations: Sault Ste. Marie border counts; Station 2: Highway 69 north of Parry Sound; and Station 3: Highway 11 south of North Bay, northbound. Adjusting available ATR data for these stations avoided having to use other, more costly methods of obtaining count data at the site, but requires very careful analysis, judgement and understanding of traffic patterns. It is recommended for future counts that where ATR equipment cannot be installed directly at the site, alternative count methods be strongly considered in spite of their increased cost to avoid these types of adjustments. 3.3 Development of Average Weekly Traffic Profile All available data that seem to represent typical traffic conditions were carried forward toward developing weekly traffic profile of using the average of each day-of-week and half-hour of the day. The formula used to obtain the average traffic profile by vehicle category can be represented as follows: where: i: Day of the week i (1 to 7) j: Half-hour of day j ( to 23) V ij : Volume for vehicle category in day i in half-hour j N ij : Number of records for day i in half-hour j. OCTOBER 3,

20 4. Traffic Count Summary A summary table of the final counts is presented in Exhibit 4.1. For directional detail for each station, Exhibit 4.2 shows average weekly traffic volume by vehicle type, together with average daily traffic by direction. Exhibit 4.3 summarizes average traffic conditions for weekdays vs. weekend days for each station. Weekly profile plots and summary tables with total traffic by vehicle type and day of week are included as Appendix E. Exhibit 4.1: Average Daily Traffic and Percentage Truck Volumes by Survey Station and Season Fall 211 Summer 212 Fall/ Stn. Location Pass. % Pass. % Summer Ratio Border Crossings - Fort Frances 2, , Pigeon River 1, , Rainy River , Sault Ste. Marie 5, , , , Provincial Highway Locations 1 Highway 17 at ON-MB border 3,31 1,229 4, Highway 69 N of Parry Sound 5,895 1,477 7, A Highway 69 N of Parry Sound 6,74 1,431 8, Highway 11 south of North Bay 8,55 1,526 1, ,12 1,277 11, Highway 17 west of Mattawa 3, , Highway 11/17 west of Nipigon 4,1 1,249 5, Highway 17 west of Sudbury 1,457 1,813 12, A few observations from the summary tables are noted: Among the Northern Ontario border crossings, traffic at the Sault Ste. Marie border represent 54% of total passenger vehicle crossings and 45% of total truck crossings. The Sault Ste. Marie border has the highest volume of trucks but lowest proportion of trucks among the crossings; The highest-volume site among the provincial highway survey stations is Station 6, Highway 17 west of Sudbury, with 12,3 daily average vehicles in the summer. Next highest is Station 3, Highway 11 south of North Bay, at almost 1, vehicles daily in early fall and 11,3 vehicles daily in the peak summer recreation/tourism season; At the provincial highway sites, there are generally 1 to 3% more trucks in the northbound/westbound directions compared to southbound/eastbound; and OCTOBER 3,

21 The provincial highway sites have 14 to 27% truck traffic weekly. The highest proportions of truck traffic are at Station 3, Highway 17 at the Ontario-Manitoba border, and at Highway 11 and 17 west of Nipigon, where passenger vehicles volumes are lower than at other survey stations, but truck volumes are in the order 5, daily trucks. 4.1 Seasonal Trends At three of the survey locations, traffic counts were conducted in both early fall and in summer: Sault Ste. Marie border; Station 2: Highway 11 south of North Bay; and Station 5: Highway 11 and 17 west of Nipigon (with fall counts available from the commercial vehicle survey). Differences in seasonal traffic profiles can be observed at these locations in Exhibit 4.4, which summarizes average daily weekday traffic and average daily weekend traffic at these sites. These results show fall passenger vehicle traffic levels at 85 to 95% of summer volumes by direction, and truck traffic being slightly higher in the fall than in the summer. Geographic and historical trends for the Northern Ontario international border crossings and locations along the provincial highway corridors are included in Commercial Vehicle Survey: Traffic and Vehicle Classification Summary. OCTOBER 3,

22 Exhibit 4.2: Weekly Summary of 211/212 Final Traffic Counts by Site Location Fall 211 Border Crossings Interview Surveys Dir Weekly Pass. SU Vehicle Truck MU Truck % Average Daily Traffic Pass. Vehicle SU Truck MU Truck - Fort Frances To Can 7, , , , % To USA 8, , , , Pigeon River To Can 5, , To USA 5, , Rainy River To Can 3, , To USA 3, , Sault Ste. Marie To Can 19, , , , Provincial Highway Licence Plate Recording/Mail-Back To USA 19, , , , Highway 17 at ON-MB border EB 11, ,515 3,748 15, , , WB 11, ,576 4,852 16, , , Highway 69 N of Parry Sound NB 2, ,592 5,514 25, , , SB 2, ,9 4,828 25, , , Highway 11 south of North Bay NB 29,799 1,164 4,55 5,714 35, , , SB 29,738 1,216 3,749 4,965 34, , , Highway 17 west of Mattawa EB 11, ,432 1,756 13, , , Summer 212 Border Crossings Interview Surveys WB 11, ,66 1,917 13, , , Sault Ste. Marie To Can 22, , , , Provincial Highway Licence Plate Recording/Mail-Back To USA 21, , , , A Highway 69 N of Parry Sound NB 23, ,518 5,343 29, , , SB 23, ,931 4,675 28, , , Highway 11 south of North Bay NB 35, ,849 4,787 39, , , SB 35,2 1,11 3,139 4,15 39, , , Highway 11/17 west of Nipigon EB 14, ,356 3,835 18, , , WB 13, ,48 4,95 18, , , Highway 17 west of Sudbury EB 36,646 1,83 4,973 6,56 42, , , WB 36,551 1,32 5,316 6,636 43, , , OCTOBER 3,

23 Exhibit 4.3: Weekday/Weekend Summary of 211/212 Final Traffic Counts by Site Location Fall 211 Border Crossings Interview Surveys Dir Average Weekday (average daily, noon day-noon day) Pass. Vehicle SU Truck MU Truck % Average Weekend Day (average of urday and day) Pass. Vehicle SU Truck MU Truck - Fort Frances To Can , ,9 3.1 To USA 1, , , , Pigeon River To Can , , To USA Rainy River To Can To USA Sault Ste. Marie To Can 2, , , , To USA 2, , , , Provincial Highway Licence Plate Recording/Mail-Back, 1 Highway 17 at ON-MB border EB 1, , , , WB 1, , , , Highway 69 N of Parry Sound NB 2, , , , SB 2, , , , Highway 11 south of North Bay NB 4, , , , SB 4, , , , Highway 17 west of Mattawa EB 1, , , , WB 1, , , , Summer 212 Border Crossings Interview Surveys - Sault Ste. Marie To Can 3, , , , To USA 3, , , ,4 1.8 Provincial Highway Licence Plate Recording/Mail-Back 2A Highway 69 N of Parry Sound NB 2, , , , SB 2, , , , Highway 11 south of North Bay NB 4, , , , SB 4, , , , Highway 11/17 west of Nipigon EB 2, , , , WB 2, , , , Highway 17 west of Sudbury EB 4, , , , WB 4, ,58 6, , , % OCTOBER 3,

24 Exhibit 4.4: Comparison of Fall and Summer Traffic Classification Counts Location Border Surveys Sault Ste. Marie Border Season Dir Average Weekday (average daily, noon day-noon day) Pass. SU MU Vehicle Truck Truck % Average Weekend Day (average of urday and day) Pass. SU MU Vehicle Truck Truck % Fall 211 To Can 2, , , , To USA 2, , , , Summer 212 To Can 3, , , , To USA 3, , , ,4 1.8 Fall/Summer Ratio To Can To USA Provincial Highway Licence Plate Recording/Mail-Back Surveys Station 3: Highway 11 South of North Bay Station 5: Highway 11 & 17 West of Nipigon Fall 212 NB 4, , , , SB 4, , , , Summer 212 NB 4, , , , SB 4, , , , Fall/Summer Ratio NB SB Fall 211 * EB 1, , , , WB 1, , , , Summer 212 EB 2, , , , WB 2, , , , Fall/Summer Ratio EB WB Note: * Traffic classification counts available from Commercial Vehicle Survey counts conducted in 211 at Red Rock site. OCTOBER 3, 213 2

25 5. Summary and Conclusions Traffic classification counts were conducted in Northern Ontario at 4 border locations and 7 provincial highway locations in both directions of travel as part of the Northern Ontario passenger vehicle origin-destination travel survey. This report discussed the field data collection, standardization and validation of the traffic classification counts, and presents summaries of the final traffic volumes. The traffic classification counts were conducted using automatic traffic recorders (ATRs) of two types: permanent loop detectors and pneumatic tube counters. The goal for traffic count data collection was to obtain two weeks of raw count data, and was achieved in most cases. At all locations, sufficient data were collected to obtain a reliable representative weekly profile of traffic conditions. The data were carefully reviewed to ensure that only data representing typical traffic conditions for each survey station were carried forward into developing a one-week traffic classification count profile. The data from some locations required adjustments to better represent typical traffic conditions at the survey station. Three-hour manual counts were conducted concurrent with a portion of the ATR classification counts. These manual counts provide very valuable information about the mix of large passenger vehicles (RVs and automobiles/light trucks with trailers) in the traffic mix, vehicles that any type of ATR equipment has difficulty distinguishing from commercial vehicles. The proportion of such vehicles is especially high in Northern Ontario roads. Comparison between manual count data and corresponding ATR count data were used to inform the process of categorizing original vehicle classifications into standard groupings for analysis and appropriately accounting for the larger passenger vehicles in the traffic mix. This presents a very significant improvement over the state of practice of analysis of traffic count data. At certain stations, traffic counts by ATR were not feasible using induction loops or pneumatic tubes (e.g. Station 3, Highway 11 south of North Bay). For these locations, ATR count data available from nearby count locations were carefully factored or otherwise adjusted to better reflect conditions at the actual survey site. This avoided having to use other, more costly methods of obtaining count data at the site, but requires very careful analysis, judgement and understanding of traffic patterns. It is recommended that where count data directly at the site are not directly available, alternative count methods be considered. The traffic and vehicle classification data summarized in this report provide a sound basis for Northern Ontario passenger-vehicle survey data expansion. The weekly count profiles provide significant insight into traffic characteristics at each of the survey locations. J:\386_MTO_ODsurvey\1. Reports\Traffic Counts\PV\FINAL Oct submission\ttr PV Traffic Count docx\ \WU OCTOBER 3,

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27 Appendix A Traffic Classification Count Inventory

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29 Exhibit A.1: Traffic Classification Count Inventory Sept. 211 Oct Site Location Dir Hwy Requirement Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th Hours Meet Early Fall 211 Border Crossings - Interview Surveys Fort Frances NB 11 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 15:-18: 3 3 Yes Video 15:-2: 5 5 Yes Fort Frances SB 11 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 15:-18: 3 3 Yes Video 15:-2: 5 5 Yes Pigeon River NB 61 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Pigeon River SB 61 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Rainy River EB 11 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Rainy River WB 11 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Sault Ste NB 17B Classification Hours Yes Marie Bridge Excluded Hours Manual No Video No Sault Ste SB 17B Classification Hours Yes Marie Bridge Excluded Hours Manual No Video No OCTOBER 213 A.1

30 Exhibit A.1: Traffic Classification Count Inventory continued Sept. 211 Oct Site Location Dir Hwy Requirement Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th Hours Meet Early Fall 211 Provincial Highway Licence Plate Trace/Mail-Back Station 1 ON/MB EB 17 Classification Hours Yes Boundary Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video No Station 1 ON/MB WB 17 Classification Hours Yes Boundary Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 2 Parry Sound NB 69 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 2 Parry Sound SB 69 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 4 Mattawa EB 17 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:3-14:3 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 4 Mattawa WB 17 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual 11:3-14:3 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes OCTOBER 213 A.2

31 Exhibit A.1: Traffic Classification Count Inventory continued Jul. 212 Aug Site Location Dir Hwy Requirement Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su Hours Meet Summer 212 Provincial Highway Licence Plate Trace/Mail-Back Station 2a Parry Sound NB 69 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 2a Parry Sound SB 69 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 3 North Bay NB 11 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 3 North Bay SB 11 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 5 Nipigon EB 11/17 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:2-16:2 5 5 Yes Station 5 Nipigon WB 11/17 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:2-16:2 5 5 Yes Station 6 Sudbury EB 17 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes Station 6 Sudbury WB 17 Classification Hours Yes 212 Excluded Hours Manual 11:-14: 3 3 Yes Video 11:-16: 5 5 Yes OCTOBER 213 A.3

32 Exhibit A.1: Traffic Classification Count Inventory continued Jul. 212 Aug Site Location Dir Hwy Requirement Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su Hours Meet Summer 212 Border Crossings - Interview Surveys Border 4 Sault Ste NB 17B Classification Hours Yes 212 Marie Bridge Excluded Hours Manual No Video No Border 4 Sault Ste SB 17B Classification Hours Yes 212 Marie Bridge Excluded Hours Manual No Video No Oct. 212 Nov Site Location Dir Hwy Requirement Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Hours Meet Fall 212 Provincial Highway Licence Plate Trace/Mail-Back Station 3 North Bay SB 11 Classification Hours Yes Excluded Hours Manual No Video 11:-14: 3 3 No OCTOBER 213 A.4

33 Appendix B Detailed ATR/Manual/Video Counts Comparisons

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35 THE PREPARATION OF A NORTHERN ONTARIO PASSENGER AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SURVEY Fort Frances Northbound September 23, 211 Manual Counts Half-Hour Cars RV/Bus Straight Trailer /Tractor Cycle s Beginning (9) Cycle Cars Bus SU MU All 15: : : : : : Video Counts Half-Hour Cars RV/Bus Straight Trailer /Tractor Cycle s Beginning (9) Cycle Cars Bus SU MU All 15: : : : : : Axle-Based Counts (FHWA Class) Half-Hour Cycle Cars Bus s Beginning Cycle Cars Bus SU MU All 15: : : : : : Manual - Video Comparison Half-Hour Beginning Cycle Cars Bus s SU MU All 15: - 3.8% - -.% 3.6% 15:3-2.% % 16: -.% -.% -.% 16:3-1.9% % 17: - 3.6% % 17:3-2.%.% % - 2.2%.%.%.% 2.2% Manual - ATR Comparison Half-Hour s - Original Classification Beginning Cycle Cars Bus SU MU All 15: % % -3.6% 15:3-4.% % 16: % % 16: % % 17: % % 17:3-6.% % - -.9% 1% 33.% 183%.9% Borde OCTOBER 213 B.1