Project Background and Purpose

The current traffic data collection system for the South Central Urban Region (SCUR) does not provide timely, reliable data that can be useful to the Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (SRTA) for planning activities. With anticipated future growth in the SCUR, the Caltrans District 2 and SRTA envision a data collection system that would provide accurate, timely, reliable, and directly applicable data to make traffic operations and planning activities more efficient. This Implementation Plan:

• details the existing data collection system and processes;
• documents stakeholder needs;
• presents an evaluation of data collection tools and technologies; and
• identifies recommended deployment strategies and approaches.

Integrated Traffic Data Collection

An integrated traffic data collection system will provide benefits that can be realized by agencies, as well as the public. For agencies, it provides more frequent traffic data to inform transportation planning; faster incident detection, response and clearance; the ability to monitor traffic congestion; enhanced analysis of traffic conditions; and performance monitoring. For the public, it means improved safety, greater mobility, and reduced congestion. 

An enhanced data collection system is a crucial tool for SRTA to achieve regional transportation goals consistent with the 2015 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP):

• Improved Safety – Accurate and reliable traveler information reduces secondary accidents
• Improved Emergency Response – Detect and clear incidents quicker
• Improved Commercial Vehicle Operations – Through increased availability of commercial vehicle traffic data
• Increased Traveler Information and Trip Enhancement – An enhanced system will position the region for future dissemination of traveler information
• Improved Interagency Communications – Data is easily shared and accessed by partner agencies
• Reduced Congestion – Traveler information affects driver behavior, which can reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions
• Increased Economic Activity – Better mobility through the region will improve economic activity

Project Needs and Objectives

Stakeholders identified the following needs of an enhanced data collection system:

• Make volume data available more frequently, at more locations, and at shorter time intervals.
• Implement a tool to provide interregional, intraregional, and local Origin and Destination (O&D) trip information.
• Enhance current processes to better utilize existing traffic data.

Implementation Plan

Within the industry, there are many solutions for collecting, processing,reporting, and disseminating traffic data. Data collection varies by the type of information collected, accessible formats, and granularity. Through an evaluation of the current data collection system and consideration of project needs, there are data collection enhancements that need to be implemented within the region to enhance the current Caltrans District 2 Data Collection Process.

An alternatives analysis evaluated individual projects based on strategic corridors and feasible technologies that meet the needs of SRTA and Caltrans District 2. The projects are manageable, modular projects that enhance Caltrans’ existing data collection infrastructure while considering the priorities and goals of both SRTA and Caltrans District 2. These projects can be deployed as funding becomes available. The summary below highlights a $4.3 million program of preferred alternatives that will meet the data collection needs of SRTA and Caltrans District 2.

The following summary highlights project recommendations to deploy an Integrated Traffic Data Collection System:

• Expand the network of permanent detector count stations through the installation of new detection stations or the upgrading of temporary detection stations at every interchange throughout the SCUR.
• Provide permanent communications and detection equipment to automatically collect data on a more frequent basis.
• Conduct a Bluetooth Pilot Test to evaluate the performance and data samples for origin-destination data.
• If the Caltrans Headquarters’ project to automate the interface between the Transportation System Network (TSN) and the Performance Measurement System (PeMS) is not scheduled for the near future, SRTA should work with Caltrans to deploy third party software with data processing and reporting capabilities.
• SRTA and Caltrans District 2 should pursue multiple funding sources for the deployment of the recommended integrated data collection system.

Project Benefits

By implementing the recommended projects, SRTA, Caltrans and local jurisdictions will receive the following traffic data collection benefits:

• New Origin-Destination (O&D) stations will provide interregional, intraregional, and local trip information to assist with calibrating and validating traffic models. Furthermore, O&D traffic data will allow for tracking and showing progress toward meeting passenger vehicle greenhouse emission reduction targets.
• Expanded traffic detection system will provide greater data granularity for evaluation of traffic patterns and trends.
• Installs the necessary vehicle detection infrastructure for future ramp metering implementation as well as positions the region for future congestion monitoring and traffic management.
• Recommended detection stations will be connected to a communication network that allows for quicker collection and dissemination of data. Data can be acquired quarterly or monthly and possibly be shared in “real-time” as future needs arise.
• The extended detection system will reduce field work hours for Caltrans Census staff.