1.3.1 Data Review and Collection
Data review and collection consists of three components:
- Gathering available data from existing sources (e.g., Statewide Traffic Analysis and Reporting System (STARS) traffic counts, the NPMRDS, multi-modal data such as TxDOT Comprehensive Accessibility Program (TCAP), CRIS crash reports, INRIX travel times and OriginDestination (OD) data, and other big data sources that accomplish a similar purpose).
- Determining safety analysis and operational analysis data needs.
- Creating a field data collection plan to specify the location and types of data that will be collected.
To summarize, the data review process will be used to determine existing data availability, to determine additional data needed for the project, and to make a data collection plan. The data collection plan will be in map format and specify types of data and locations for all necessary data collection points (DCP). shows an
example
of the data collection map. Generally, 100 days of traffic data collection (segment counts) are recommended for FHWA approved projects. For other projects, 7 days are typically recommended for data collection and are to be based on coordination with the TxDOT project manager. See
Chapter 2
for additional guidance on data sources, collection, and summarization. See Chapter 5
and Chapter 6
for additional guidance on safety data
Figure 1-2: Data Collection Example Map