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• 1. [Article] Matthew Knight Arena Monitoring Report: Phase II

  27 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Matthew Knight Arena Monitoring Report: Phase II Author: University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Community Planning Workshop, Phillips, Madeline, Steiner, Bethany Year: 2016, 2012 27 pages Title: Matthew Knight Arena Monitoring Report: Phase II Author: University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Community Planning Workshop, Phillips, Madeline, Steiner, Bethany Year: 2016, 2012 27 pages Close

• 2. [Article] The Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh-In--Motion (SWIM) Project: Final Report

  Weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems have provided an effective means of data collection for pavement research and facility design, traffic monitoring, and weight enforcement for over 40 years. In weight enforcement, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh-In--Motion (SWIM) Project: Final Report Author: Strathman, James G. Year: 1998 Weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems have provided an effective means of data collection for pavement research and facility design, traffic monitoring, and weight enforcement for over 40 years. In weight enforcement, WIM systems have been increasingly used to screen potentially overweight vehicles. Vehicles that exceed weight limits as measured on a WIM scale are then weighed on a static scale, which is subject to accuracy standards specified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (1998). The use of WIM for screening purposes reduces queuing at weigh stations, resulting in considerable savings for both truckers and enforcement agencies. To date, however, WIM systems have not been certified for direct applications to weight enforcement. Title: The Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh-In--Motion (SWIM) Project: Final Report Author: Strathman, James G. Year: 1998 Weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems have provided an effective means of data collection for pavement research and facility design, traffic monitoring, and weight enforcement for over 40 years. In weight enforcement, WIM systems have been increasingly used to screen potentially overweight vehicles. Vehicles that exceed weight limits as measured on a WIM scale are then weighed on a static scale, which is subject to accuracy standards specified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (1998). The use of WIM for screening purposes reduces queuing at weigh stations, resulting in considerable savings for both truckers and enforcement agencies. To date, however, WIM systems have not been certified for direct applications to weight enforcement. Close

• 3. [Article] Webinar: Pedestrians Count! – How to Measure Foot Traffic

  Learn from experts and share your knowledge of how to count pedestrians. Are people with clipboards the only way? What technologies work and how can we use them? How can an agency improve an existing or ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Webinar: Pedestrians Count! – How to Measure Foot Traffic Author: Nordback, Krista, Turner, Shawn, Brady, Scott, Petritsch, Theo, Jones, David Year: 2015 Learn from experts and share your knowledge of how to count pedestrians. Are people with clipboards the only way? What technologies work and how can we use them? How can an agency improve an existing or start a new pedestrian count program? Join us for an information sharing webinar on this quickly evolving topic. We will learn from leaders in the field and encourage active audience involvement, so come prepared to share your experience! This IBPI webinar is part of a project sponsored by FHWA to study best practices in pedestrian traffic monitoring. Portland State University is working with ICF International and Sprinkle Consulting on a contract to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration to advise them on potential improvements to the Traffic Monitoring Guide specific to pedestrian travel. The Q&A, available in the Additional Files, contains questions that were submitted during the webinar and the answers to them, which were not included in the broadcast due to time constraints. Title: Webinar: Pedestrians Count! – How to Measure Foot Traffic Author: Nordback, Krista, Turner, Shawn, Brady, Scott, Petritsch, Theo, Jones, David Year: 2015 Learn from experts and share your knowledge of how to count pedestrians. Are people with clipboards the only way? What technologies work and how can we use them? How can an agency improve an existing or start a new pedestrian count program? Join us for an information sharing webinar on this quickly evolving topic. We will learn from leaders in the field and encourage active audience involvement, so come prepared to share your experience! This IBPI webinar is part of a project sponsored by FHWA to study best practices in pedestrian traffic monitoring. Portland State University is working with ICF International and Sprinkle Consulting on a contract to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration to advise them on potential improvements to the Traffic Monitoring Guide specific to pedestrian travel. The Q&A, available in the Additional Files, contains questions that were submitted during the webinar and the answers to them, which were not included in the broadcast due to time constraints. Close

• 4. [Article] Multimodal Data at Signalized Intersections: Strategies for Archiving Existing and New Data Streams to Support Operations and Planning & Fusion and Integration of Arterial Performance Data

  There is a growing interest in arterial system management due to the increasing amount of travel on arterials and a growing emphasis on multimodal transportation. The benefits of archiving arterial-related ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Multimodal Data at Signalized Intersections: Strategies for Archiving Existing and New Data Streams to Support Operations and Planning & Fusion and Integration of Arterial Performance Data Author: Tufte, Kristin A., Monsere, Christopher M., Kothuri, Sirisha Murthy, Olson, Carl Scott Year: 2013 There is a growing interest in arterial system management due to the increasing amount of travel on arterials and a growing emphasis on multimodal transportation. The benefits of archiving arterial-related data are numerous. This research report describes our efforts to assemble and develop a multimodal archive for the Portland-Vancouver region. There is coverage of data sources from all modes in the metropolitan region; however, the preliminary nature of the archiving process means that some of the data are incomplete and samples. The arterial data sources available in the Portland-Vancouver region and that are covered in this report include data for various local agencies (City of Portland, Clark County, WA, TriMet and C-TRAN) covering vehicle, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle modes. We provide detailed descriptions of each data source and a spatial and temporal classification. The report describes the conceptual framework for an archive and the data collection and archival process, including the process for extracting the data from the agency systems and transferring these data to our multimodal database. Data can be made more useful though the use of improved visualization techniques. Thus as part of the project, a number of novel, online visualizations were created and implemented. These graphs and displays are summarized in this report and example visualizations are shown. As with any automated sensor system, data quality and completeness is an important issue and the challenge of automating data quality is large. Preliminary efforts to validate and monitor data quality and automate data quality processing are explored. Finally, the report presents efforts to combine transit and travel time data and signal timing and vehicle count data to generate some sample congestion measures. Title: Multimodal Data at Signalized Intersections: Strategies for Archiving Existing and New Data Streams to Support Operations and Planning & Fusion and Integration of Arterial Performance Data Author: Tufte, Kristin A., Monsere, Christopher M., Kothuri, Sirisha Murthy, Olson, Carl Scott Year: 2013 There is a growing interest in arterial system management due to the increasing amount of travel on arterials and a growing emphasis on multimodal transportation. The benefits of archiving arterial-related data are numerous. This research report describes our efforts to assemble and develop a multimodal archive for the Portland-Vancouver region. There is coverage of data sources from all modes in the metropolitan region; however, the preliminary nature of the archiving process means that some of the data are incomplete and samples. The arterial data sources available in the Portland-Vancouver region and that are covered in this report include data for various local agencies (City of Portland, Clark County, WA, TriMet and C-TRAN) covering vehicle, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle modes. We provide detailed descriptions of each data source and a spatial and temporal classification. The report describes the conceptual framework for an archive and the data collection and archival process, including the process for extracting the data from the agency systems and transferring these data to our multimodal database. Data can be made more useful though the use of improved visualization techniques. Thus as part of the project, a number of novel, online visualizations were created and implemented. These graphs and displays are summarized in this report and example visualizations are shown. As with any automated sensor system, data quality and completeness is an important issue and the challenge of automating data quality is large. Preliminary efforts to validate and monitor data quality and automate data quality processing are explored. Finally, the report presents efforts to combine transit and travel time data and signal timing and vehicle count data to generate some sample congestion measures. Close

• 5. [Article] Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh-in-Motion (SWIM) Project: Analysis of Initial Weight Data

  This report presents the results of a preliminary analysis of axle weights from the Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh in Motion (SWIM) scale at the Wyeth weigh station.* This report includes an analysis of methodology ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh-in-Motion (SWIM) Project: Analysis of Initial Weight Data Author: Swope, Tim, Strathman, James G. Year: 1997 This report presents the results of a preliminary analysis of axle weights from the Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh in Motion (SWIM) scale at the Wyeth weigh station.* This report includes an analysis of methodology and variables used in the study; estimates of accuracy and precision of the WIM readings; and a regression analysis of the WIM and static scale weighings. Axles weights were collected from the traffic stream. Title: Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh-in-Motion (SWIM) Project: Analysis of Initial Weight Data Author: Swope, Tim, Strathman, James G. Year: 1997 This report presents the results of a preliminary analysis of axle weights from the Oregon DOT Slow-Speed Weigh in Motion (SWIM) scale at the Wyeth weigh station.* This report includes an analysis of methodology and variables used in the study; estimates of accuracy and precision of the WIM readings; and a regression analysis of the WIM and static scale weighings. Axles weights were collected from the traffic stream. Close

• 6. [Article] Piloting Portland's MultiModal Arterial Performance System

  Shaun will present on the recently completed pilot demonstration of multimodal arterial performance measures for the Portland metro region, as part of the larger regional concept of operations. Treatments ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Piloting Portland's MultiModal Arterial Performance System Author: Quayle, Shaun Year: 2013 Shaun will present on the recently completed pilot demonstration of multimodal arterial performance measures for the Portland metro region, as part of the larger regional concept of operations. Treatments include a permanent bike count station on the Springwater Trail, permanent truck classification stations, Bluetooth travel time stations, as well as leveraging existing transit and signal controller data to paint a picture of the collective modal transportation system. Title: Piloting Portland's MultiModal Arterial Performance System Author: Quayle, Shaun Year: 2013 Shaun will present on the recently completed pilot demonstration of multimodal arterial performance measures for the Portland metro region, as part of the larger regional concept of operations. Treatments include a permanent bike count station on the Springwater Trail, permanent truck classification stations, Bluetooth travel time stations, as well as leveraging existing transit and signal controller data to paint a picture of the collective modal transportation system. Close

• 7. [Article] Measuring What We Value: Using Performance Measures to Achieve Goals

  Performance measures are commonly used in transportation planning, but how effectively are public agencies using them, and to what ends? Metro, ODOT and many cities use performance measures to evaluate ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Measuring What We Value: Using Performance Measures to Achieve Goals Author: Rall, Chris Year: 2016 Performance measures are commonly used in transportation planning, but how effectively are public agencies using them, and to what ends? Metro, ODOT and many cities use performance measures to evaluate investment choices and monitor progress. Drawing from Transportation for America’s report Measuring What We Value, and some of the most cutting edge examples of performance-based planning around the nation, Chris' presentation will step back to consider what makes a performance-based planning approach effective at achieving an agency’s goals. Title: Measuring What We Value: Using Performance Measures to Achieve Goals Author: Rall, Chris Year: 2016 Performance measures are commonly used in transportation planning, but how effectively are public agencies using them, and to what ends? Metro, ODOT and many cities use performance measures to evaluate investment choices and monitor progress. Drawing from Transportation for America’s report Measuring What We Value, and some of the most cutting edge examples of performance-based planning around the nation, Chris' presentation will step back to consider what makes a performance-based planning approach effective at achieving an agency’s goals. Close

• 8. [Article] Improving Travel Information Products via Robust Estimation Techniques

  Traffic-monitoring systems, such as those using loop detectors, are prone to coverage gaps, arising from sensor noise, processing errors and transmission problems. Such gaps adversely affect the accuracy ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Improving Travel Information Products via Robust Estimation Techniques Author: Maier, David, Tufte, Kristin A., Fernández Moctezuma, Rafael J. Year: 2009 Traffic-monitoring systems, such as those using loop detectors, are prone to coverage gaps, arising from sensor noise, processing errors and transmission problems. Such gaps adversely affect the accuracy of Advanced Traveler Information Systems. This project will explore models based on historical data that can provide estimates to fill such gaps. We build on an initial study by Mr. Rafael J. Fernandez-Moctezuma, using both a linear model and an artificial neural network (ANN) trained on historical data to estimate values for reporting gaps. These initial models were 80% and 89% accurate, respectively, in estimating the correct speed range, and misclassifications were always between adjacent speed ranges (in particular, the free-flow range and congested range were never confused). Going forward, we will investigate other non-linear models, such as Gaussian Mixtures, that provide further statistical metrics, in contrast to the uninterpreted weights of ANNs. This work will exploit the Portland Transportation Archive Listing (PORTAL) at the Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory at PSU. Dr. Tufte helps supervise development of PORTAL, and Mr. Fernandez used PORTAL data in his study. PORTAL holds more than two years of Portland-area freeway-loop-detector data at both detailed and aggregated levels, and is an ideal resource for the proposed work. Initially we will be building and testing estimators in off-line mode. We will select a highway segment (comprising multiple detector stations) that is representative in terms of pattern of outages. We will build models for this segment, then examine their performance on estimates for synthetic gaps (so we can compare estimates to reported values). Later, using live loop-detector data (which PORTAL supports), we will work towards on-line estimation over the local freeway network, which requires computing estimates in a timely manner. Our end target is improvements in end-user travel information products, such as the Portland-Metro Speed Map on ODOT's Trip Check. Our main evaluation metric will be the trade-off curve bewteen accuracy of prediciton and percentage of gaps that can be filled. This research supports national surface-transportation research priorities, including the Systems Management Information area (ITS JPO). Within that area, it relates to (2) Data Management (techniques and guidance for processing and managing data associated with highway and transit monitoring) and (5) Data Dissemination (exchanging information about transportation services and providing that information to travelers). [Page 3-15, U.S. Department of Transportation Research, Development, and Technology Plan, 6th Edition] Title: Improving Travel Information Products via Robust Estimation Techniques Author: Maier, David, Tufte, Kristin A., Fernández Moctezuma, Rafael J. Year: 2009 Traffic-monitoring systems, such as those using loop detectors, are prone to coverage gaps, arising from sensor noise, processing errors and transmission problems. Such gaps adversely affect the accuracy of Advanced Traveler Information Systems. This project will explore models based on historical data that can provide estimates to fill such gaps. We build on an initial study by Mr. Rafael J. Fernandez-Moctezuma, using both a linear model and an artificial neural network (ANN) trained on historical data to estimate values for reporting gaps. These initial models were 80% and 89% accurate, respectively, in estimating the correct speed range, and misclassifications were always between adjacent speed ranges (in particular, the free-flow range and congested range were never confused). Going forward, we will investigate other non-linear models, such as Gaussian Mixtures, that provide further statistical metrics, in contrast to the uninterpreted weights of ANNs. This work will exploit the Portland Transportation Archive Listing (PORTAL) at the Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory at PSU. Dr. Tufte helps supervise development of PORTAL, and Mr. Fernandez used PORTAL data in his study. PORTAL holds more than two years of Portland-area freeway-loop-detector data at both detailed and aggregated levels, and is an ideal resource for the proposed work. Initially we will be building and testing estimators in off-line mode. We will select a highway segment (comprising multiple detector stations) that is representative in terms of pattern of outages. We will build models for this segment, then examine their performance on estimates for synthetic gaps (so we can compare estimates to reported values). Later, using live loop-detector data (which PORTAL supports), we will work towards on-line estimation over the local freeway network, which requires computing estimates in a timely manner. Our end target is improvements in end-user travel information products, such as the Portland-Metro Speed Map on ODOT's Trip Check. Our main evaluation metric will be the trade-off curve bewteen accuracy of prediciton and percentage of gaps that can be filled. This research supports national surface-transportation research priorities, including the Systems Management Information area (ITS JPO). Within that area, it relates to (2) Data Management (techniques and guidance for processing and managing data associated with highway and transit monitoring) and (5) Data Dissemination (exchanging information about transportation services and providing that information to travelers). [Page 3-15, U.S. Department of Transportation Research, Development, and Technology Plan, 6th Edition] Close

• 9. [Article] Modeling biomass transport on single lane forest roads and monitoring GPS accuracy for vehicle tracking under different forest canopy conditions

  The transportation of wood and biomass resources from landing and other collection locations to processing and distribution sites is a substantial cost within the wood supply chain. These high costs provide ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modeling biomass transport on single lane forest roads and monitoring GPS accuracy for vehicle tracking under different forest canopy conditions Author: Simwanda, Matamyo The transportation of wood and biomass resources from landing and other collection locations to processing and distribution sites is a substantial cost within the wood supply chain. These high costs provide a basis for research aimed at improving biomass transportation planning decisions and potentially reducing biomass transportation costs. Chip vans have been identified to be the most cost-efficient mode of transporting biomass provided the roads are suitable for the trucks which are generally built for highway use. Research to develop chip van performance simulation models for travel time prediction could potentially reduce biomass transportation costs by improving transportation planning decisions. GPS technology has the ability to record information such as location (longitude, latitude and elevation), movement (speed, heading) and travel time which makes it an attractive tool for data collection to develop, test and validate vehicle simulation models. In spite of several studies investigating the accuracy and performance of GPS under different forest conditions, the reliability of GPS receiver measurements for moving vehicles under forest canopy and in mountainous terrain has not been examined. This dissertation includes two manuscripts. One manuscript presents a Chip Van Travel Time Prediction Simulation Model (CHIP-VAN) that was developed using data collected by GPS receivers to track and monitor chip vans. The vans were exclusively used for transporting chipped (ground) biomass from forest operation sites in western Oregon. The other manuscript examines the accuracy and reliability of GPS for vehicle tracking under different forest canopy conditions and mountainous terrain. The model, CHIP-VAN, is developed based on the maximum limiting speeds on each road segment as limited by road grade, stopping sight distance (SSD) and road alignment as well as modeling the driver's behavior as these road conditions change. A two pass simulation was used in the model; the first pass simulation calculates the maximum limiting speeds on each road segment and the second pass simulates the driver's behavior and calculates the travel time. To emulate the driver's behavior, four cases that determine whether a driver will accelerate, decelerate or continue at current speed, were developed. The model has been tested for validation using the data collected for the study. The validation tests suggest that the model is appropriate for predicting travel time for chip vans on single lane forest roads with acceptable accuracy. The findings in the second study demonstrate that the GPS tracking accuracy of vehicles on forested roads are clearly influenced by the composition of the surrounding canopy, with the strongest influence being from heavy forest canopy cover. Accuracy is generally improved in areas with less forest canopy. The study concludes that the consumer-grade GPS receiver measurements determined are acceptable for tracking and improving biomass transport from forest supply locations to distribution and processing centers. The analysis of the range of accuracies found for vehicles operating within heavy forest canopy cover demonstrates that the accuracies are probably acceptable for many forest transportation monitoring and planning applications, including the mapping of forest road locations and other forest transportation operations. It is expected that the CHIP-VAN model and GPS accuracy studies will aid forest transportation managers in decision making and transportation planning in biomass operations. Most importantly it is hoped that the results of this research will increase transportation management planning efficiency for biomass and lead to improved methods for developing biomass cost assessments Title: Modeling biomass transport on single lane forest roads and monitoring GPS accuracy for vehicle tracking under different forest canopy conditions Author: Simwanda, Matamyo The transportation of wood and biomass resources from landing and other collection locations to processing and distribution sites is a substantial cost within the wood supply chain. These high costs provide a basis for research aimed at improving biomass transportation planning decisions and potentially reducing biomass transportation costs. Chip vans have been identified to be the most cost-efficient mode of transporting biomass provided the roads are suitable for the trucks which are generally built for highway use. Research to develop chip van performance simulation models for travel time prediction could potentially reduce biomass transportation costs by improving transportation planning decisions. GPS technology has the ability to record information such as location (longitude, latitude and elevation), movement (speed, heading) and travel time which makes it an attractive tool for data collection to develop, test and validate vehicle simulation models. In spite of several studies investigating the accuracy and performance of GPS under different forest conditions, the reliability of GPS receiver measurements for moving vehicles under forest canopy and in mountainous terrain has not been examined. This dissertation includes two manuscripts. One manuscript presents a Chip Van Travel Time Prediction Simulation Model (CHIP-VAN) that was developed using data collected by GPS receivers to track and monitor chip vans. The vans were exclusively used for transporting chipped (ground) biomass from forest operation sites in western Oregon. The other manuscript examines the accuracy and reliability of GPS for vehicle tracking under different forest canopy conditions and mountainous terrain. The model, CHIP-VAN, is developed based on the maximum limiting speeds on each road segment as limited by road grade, stopping sight distance (SSD) and road alignment as well as modeling the driver's behavior as these road conditions change. A two pass simulation was used in the model; the first pass simulation calculates the maximum limiting speeds on each road segment and the second pass simulates the driver's behavior and calculates the travel time. To emulate the driver's behavior, four cases that determine whether a driver will accelerate, decelerate or continue at current speed, were developed. The model has been tested for validation using the data collected for the study. The validation tests suggest that the model is appropriate for predicting travel time for chip vans on single lane forest roads with acceptable accuracy. The findings in the second study demonstrate that the GPS tracking accuracy of vehicles on forested roads are clearly influenced by the composition of the surrounding canopy, with the strongest influence being from heavy forest canopy cover. Accuracy is generally improved in areas with less forest canopy. The study concludes that the consumer-grade GPS receiver measurements determined are acceptable for tracking and improving biomass transport from forest supply locations to distribution and processing centers. The analysis of the range of accuracies found for vehicles operating within heavy forest canopy cover demonstrates that the accuracies are probably acceptable for many forest transportation monitoring and planning applications, including the mapping of forest road locations and other forest transportation operations. It is expected that the CHIP-VAN model and GPS accuracy studies will aid forest transportation managers in decision making and transportation planning in biomass operations. Most importantly it is hoped that the results of this research will increase transportation management planning efficiency for biomass and lead to improved methods for developing biomass cost assessments Close

• 10. [Article] Analysis of Bus Collision Incidents Using Transit ITS and other Archived Operations Data

  This report analyzes factors contributing to bus operations safety incidents at TriMet, the transit provider for the Portland Oregon metropolitan region. The analysis focuses on 4,631 collision and non-collision ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Analysis of Bus Collision Incidents Using Transit ITS and other Archived Operations Data Author: Strathman, James G., Wachana, Paul Herman, Callas, Steve Year: 2010 This report analyzes factors contributing to bus operations safety incidents at TriMet, the transit provider for the Portland Oregon metropolitan region. The analysis focuses on 4,631 collision and non-collision incidents that occurred between 2006 and 2009. Empirical analysis of these incidents draws on a wide array of operator-level data recovered by transit ITS technologies in combination with information from TriMet’s human resources, scheduling, and customer relations databases. Incident frequencies are estimated in relation to operators’ demographic characteristics, employment status, assigned work characteristics, service delivery and performance indicators, temporal factors, and customer information. Apart from identifying factors that are empirically related to the frequency of safety incidents, the findings offer insights into operations policies and practices that hold promise for improving safety. Title: Analysis of Bus Collision Incidents Using Transit ITS and other Archived Operations Data Author: Strathman, James G., Wachana, Paul Herman, Callas, Steve Year: 2010 This report analyzes factors contributing to bus operations safety incidents at TriMet, the transit provider for the Portland Oregon metropolitan region. The analysis focuses on 4,631 collision and non-collision incidents that occurred between 2006 and 2009. Empirical analysis of these incidents draws on a wide array of operator-level data recovered by transit ITS technologies in combination with information from TriMet’s human resources, scheduling, and customer relations databases. Incident frequencies are estimated in relation to operators’ demographic characteristics, employment status, assigned work characteristics, service delivery and performance indicators, temporal factors, and customer information. Apart from identifying factors that are empirically related to the frequency of safety incidents, the findings offer insights into operations policies and practices that hold promise for improving safety. Close