Project. Sensor evaluation Completed

Principal investigator. Dr. Brian L. Smith, University of Virginia, 804-243-8585, briansmith@virginia.edu. Dr. Brian L. Smith, University of Virginia, 804-243-8585, briansmith@virginia.edu

External contact. Stephany Hanshaw, VDOT, Hampton Roads Smart Traffic Center, Virginia Beach, VA. 757.424.9907

Project objective. To develop ITS data quality assurance procedures and to investigate the size requirements for archived ITS data.

Project abstract. VDOT, like other advanced transportation departments, has installed numerous traffic monitoring sensors as part of its Smart Travel program. Given the harsh environment in which these sensors operate, malfunction and failure is a common problem. There is a need to develop thorough sensor evaluation procedures that VDOT can use in assessing the quality of data reported by individual monitoring sensors. This project will produce the foundation for a statewide sensor quality improvement program.

Furthermore, once data is collected, the new archived data user service (ADUS) calls for its storage for an extended period to support analysis. This is currently being supported in the Smart s Laboratory at the University of Virginia. The research question to be addressed is how much data should be archived. In other words, is there some ideal period needed to fully characterize traffic, after which the addition of data results in no increased benefit?

Tasks. 1) Develop sensor evaluation procedure. 2) Evaluate and test procedure on I-64 sensors 3) Test varying levels of ADUS database sizes and extents.

Milestones. This project will be completed by June 30, 2003.

Student involvement. 1 GRA 1 GRA

Budget.   $140,000

Relation to other research. This project will support the on-going project, "VDOT Surveillance Needs."

Technology transfer. Papers in professional journals and presentations at conferences Papers in professional journals and presentations at conferences

Potential benefits. Improved ITS data quality and improved ADUS. Improved ITS data quality and improved ADUS.

TRB keywords. ITS, sensors, data. ITS, sensors, data