IMPROVED METHOD OF GROUPING PROVINCEWIDE PERMANENT TRAFFIC COUNTERS

Abstract

An improved method of grouping provincewide permanent traffic counters on the basis of their seasonal variation in traffic flows is proposed. The method uses two standard procedures: (a) hierarchical grouping, which is one of a variety of clustering techniques, and (b) Scheffe's S-method of multiple group comparisons. The proposed method has several advantages over existing grouping methods, which are largely subjective and manual in nature. The new method is simple, objective, computer-oriented, and statistically credible. In addition, application of the method to Alberta's traffic-counter data indicates that the method is rational for such considerations as trip purpose and trip-length distribution. It is believed that this technique can lead highway agencies to a better understanding of the functional classification of their road systems and help them to develop improved seasonal expansion procedures for estimating average annual daily traffic from sample traffic counts. Finally, the new method has implications for a standard functional classification of roads on a provincial and natioal basis. It is hoped that such a classification can lead to an overall consistency in the planning and design of roads for both safety and economy purposes. (Author)

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