TBWG UpdateMay 2007

National Roadside Survey

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Outline

• Background • NRS Objectives• Key Events • Scope• Approach• Challenges• Status • Milestones

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Background• The last survey was done under the umbrella of the CCMTA in

1999• Consultations with most provinces and territories, within TC,

with FHWA and the Canadian Trucking Alliance took place in 2004

• Some of the concerns related to past roadside surveys:– The use of a lengthy, complex questionnaire– Past surveys were just a one-off with little scope for continuous

data collection– Release of data was slow– Some weakness re traffic counting approach used to derive

sampling weights– Software developed was difficult to use

• Use of new technology (e.g. Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems, tablet computers) allows us to increase the scope and accuracy of survey information.

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NRS Objectives• Primary objective is to collect heavy truck data to better

understand:– Trucking activity and the use being made of the existing road

infrastructure – Cross-border movements– The mix of long-distance for-hire/private trucking, US/CDN-domiciled

trucking

• The data will be used to support:– Freight modeling efforts especially for the Quebec City – Windsor

Corridor– Infrastructure planning:

• Urban, environmental, congestion, intermodal issues– Federal & provincial infrastructure planning– Canada – US border crossings requirements – Full Cost Initiative (FCI)– Address some data gaps in the trucking industry; limited data on:

• Private trucking • Non-Canadian domiciled trucking firms operating in Canada

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Key Events• Pilot projects were conducted in 2005 in several areas of the country

– Two pilots in Feb/Mar 05 in Saskatchewan:• Upgrade of AVC sites to WIM capability• Attempt to use Virtual WIM site to identify sample of trucks

passing site and use mail out questionnaire– Pilot at Pac Highway border crossing in Mar 05

• Tested first version of intercept software using hardened tablet computers and mapping software

• Tested Virtual WIM concept and attempted to match license plate images tied to weights with interviews (photo of license)

– Two pilots in the fall of 05: Sarnia (ON) and Quebec City area• Had significantly expanded survey questionnaire • Hired/trained/managed crew of 25 (scaled up operation)

• The research was finalized on:– Sampling methodology; – Survey sites and sample sizes identified; – Placement of traffic counting devices (WIMs and Non-Intrusive)

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Key Events (cont’d)

• Fine tuning of survey questionnaire– Version used in the Sarnia, Quebec City pilots revised

– Focus groups were conducted with Ontario and Quebec truck drivers to enhance and streamline the questionnaire

• Originally intended to have two large contracts :– One for acquisition, installation and operation of the required

traffic counting devices

– Another for execution of the survey (hiring, training, managing survey crews, supporting crew logistics)

• Training material was developed• Specific hardware components were acquired (Servers to

process data, 30+ tablet computers to collect data) • Participants and stakeholders identified and contacted • Detailed project planning logistics scoped

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Scope of the NRS• Coverage:

– Transport Canada leading the effort in:• The Quebec City – Windsor Corridor• At the top 22 CDA-US land border crossings

– Provinces and Territories are looking after:• Intra and Inter provincial aspects

• Stakeholders/Participants:– Canada: Eleven provinces and territories are participating– US: Federal Highways Administration and a limited number of

border states – CBSA and Bridge and Tunnel Operating Authorities– Trucking alliance and associations

• Administrative Mechanisms:– Participation and accountabilities of each party identified in

Collaboration Agreements and/or Memorandum of Understanding– Contribution agreements also required for co-funded equipment

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Scope of the NRS (cont’d)

• Two components to this Study:

(1) Traffic Data Component:– Objective: Gather accurate traffic counts and vehicle

characteristics/axle weights.– Means: Installation, maintenance and operation of traffic

data collecting devices • WIMs (13 Permanent)• Non-Intrusive - 16 (Permanent , Temporary)• Supplemented by 24 WIMs (or AVCs upgradeable to

WIM) jointly funded by TC and P/T via SHIP (Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program)

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Scope of the NRS (cont’d) (2) Survey Component:– Objective: Understand the nature of the truck activity (O/D,

commodities carried, routing, facilities where cargo is picked-up/dropped off, etc.)

– Involves: • Conducting intercept surveys with truck drivers at/near the top

22 border crossings and at selected Corridor sites • Selected provinces performing same at sites of their choice

– Means: Questionnaire are/were administered by:• TC crews at 17 Border crossings (QC, NB, ON and Prairie

provinces) and 12 to 15 Corridor sites in Quebec• BC crews at selected 4 border crossings in BC and 3 BC-Alberta

sites• Ontario crews covering Ontario Corridor sites, Intra sites and

one border crossing• Over 70,000 interviews to be conducted throughout Corridor and

Border crossings alone• Additional interviews conducted by provinces at intra-inter

survey sites

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Approach

• A sample of vehicles is administered the questionnaire while all traffic passing by the survey site is counted/classified; the sampled vehicles are then grossed up to the population by using the traffic count.

• Results of both traffic data and survey data will thus be integrated to develop a better appreciation of the nature of the truck traffic on roads

• Data collected will include origin/destination, commodity, tonnage [for use in determining daily/weekly/monthly/annual trade data, by facility], vehicle characteristics, number of trucks, routing, Canadian vs. U.S. domicile, dangerous goods classification.

• Counting equipment in place can be used beyond a one-off survey to collect continuous data on traffic levels and axle loadings.

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Challenges• Participants: Numerous.

– Commands frequent and honest communications; focus– Clear, agreed-upon and well documented accountabilities

• Management: Multiple mechanisms and alignment of all involved– Collaboration agreements, MOUs, Contribution agreements, etc.

• Budget: Multiple sources; Finite life.– Sources: Multi Modal Corridor Modeling; TC Capital and core budget;

SHIP; Provinces for Intra-Inter surveying; US border states DOTs and agencies;

• Logistics/Execution: Complex.– Commands close monitoring of all aspects to ensure a high quality

delivery and high quality end-products• Scope: Large.

– Large number of survey sites; sample sizes increased over ‘99 survey• Data: Survey period spans 12 months

– Need to reconcile and address seasonality; agree on expansion methodology

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Status• Survey Data:

– Nearly 82,000 surveys completed to-date. • Over 67,000 at border sites and along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor

– Surveying has resumed in Ontario in March and will continue until end of July; nearly 18,000 surveys completed in last 8 weeks.

– Validation:• A team of 5 data validators is in place• A first pass to flag potential errors was performed on 80K+ records• New survey data coming in: Regular feedback being given to MTO crews• Validation process and companion validation application are well advanced• Several key fields were closely examined and sets of look-up/mapping

tables were developed (based on survey responses) to automate as much as possible the process (e.g. commodity description).

• Traffic Count Data:– Traffic count data is flowing to TC from WIMs and Non-Intrusive devices– The data from all units is being reviewed for validity and consistency.

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Status (cont’d)

• In progress:– Working with Statistics Canada to develop sets of weights that

will allow for the expansion of the data– Surveying in Ontario:

• Continued monitoring of survey results and performance of MTO crews; validation (error flagging) being perfomed as records materialize

• Stage 2 validation about to start: Automated process to support correction of errors, mapping of values to a common terminology, process routes

– Discussions with FHWA and Border States ongoing.• Next Steps

– Finalize set of expansion factors and apply– Package data and release– Develop final report

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NRS Milestones (Past)Milestone/Activity Year Period

Discussions initiated with provinces, territories, border states and FHWA; plans developed

2004________

2005

Jan-Dec

Pilots were conducted Feb-Nov

Research and scouting of selected survey sites was performed; sampling methodology developed

Jun-Dec

Technology requirements were identified, a plan was developed

Jun-Dec

The survey questionnaire was refined with the assistance of focus groups

2006 March

The contract for equipment installs & traffic data collection services was awarded

June

Survey crews were hired and trained July

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NRS Milestones (cont’d) Milestone/Activity Year Period

Traffic counting devices installation commenced 2006 June

Execution of the surveyBorder Crossings and QC portion of CorridorON Portion of CorridorIntra-Inter

Aug-Dec 06

Oct 06-Aug07

06 – 07

Collect and validate the traffic and survey data (Corridor, border crossings, Intra-Interprovincial)

Ongoing

Extensive validation and analysis of the data 2007 Q1-Q3

Packaging and dissemination of the data Q3-Q4

Project Evaluation 2008 Q1

Preparation of final report Q1

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Thanks for your interest and attention.Questions/Comments can be directed at:

Richard ThiviergeDirector, Transportation Data and ForecastsTransport Canada(613) 998-1881thivier@tc.gc.ca

OR:

Terry Ganton,Chief, Surface and Marine StatisticsTransport Canada(613) 998-2696gantont@tc.gc.ca

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NRS Benefits 1. Immediate

A reduction in the level of effort of survey crews as compared to previous NRS surveys

A streamlined questionnaire, enriched training and improved data collection will enhance data reliability, and shorten time lag for validation/dissemination of data

A survey data collection exercise that is well complemented by a network of traffic data gathering capability

2. Mid to long term: A much awaited updated and more complete view of the

trucking activity on Canadian highways and at border crossings A core “network” of permanent road traffic counting devices is

being put in place and will remain in place allowing for continuous data collection beyond 2006 and 2007 (supporting ongoing need for traffic counts and axle weight information).