Midblock Classification

The movement of vehicles crossing an arbitrary screen line part on a road some distance from an intersection, again by a variety of techniques and data outcomes.

The typical cost effective solution is the recording of vehicles into 2 categories, Cars & Trucks, in 15 minutes time blocks, trucks can be classified into a Hazardous goods carry code.

Special application of data may require vehicles being split into all 12 AustRoads classifications, or additional splits of Austroads classes 1-3, into Limousines, Hire cars, taxis, car derivatives used for commercial purposes, Car with trailers with either 1,2 or 3 axles on the trailer.

Time period may also vary to say 5 or even 1 minute data blocks.

Data collection techniques may include:

• Data loggers where there is good reliable and predictable lane behavior
• Video Camera and analysis either automated or human observation
• Manual field observation and recording onto tally counters or Laptop PC or PDA?s

The latter technique has many economic benefits at this time for short duration surveys say 4 hours, while data loggers are more cost effective for multiple day duration surveys, with the bonus of collecting speed and classification profiles.