Evaluation Projects

This project conducted an evaluation of how agencies have integrated automated arrow board reporting systems into traveler information systems. Athey Creek worked with ENTERPRISE Pooled Fund Study members to identify agencies that have integrated arrow board messages into their traveler information systems or that have considered the integration. Athey Creek conducted phone interviews with each agency and then summarized the similarities and differences. Athey Creek prepared a comprehensive evaluation of arrow boards across multiple states, and documented the strengths, weaknesses, benefits, and costs for each deployment site. Athey Creek then prepared a technical report that documented the evaluation approach and findings.

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) initiated a project to evaluate in-vehicle driver assist technology installed on 11 buses operating during peak traffic periods along the MN Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue) corridor in the Twin Cities metro area. The evaluation, supported by the U.S. Federal Transit Administration, identified the degree to which the in-vehicle technology impacted transit and highway system performance and the degree to which the assistive features may improve bus drivers’ confidence operating on the shoulder. Athey Creek supported the project’s local coordination and data collection efforts as part of an independent evaluation team led by the University of South Florida. Athey Creek provided input to the evaluation methodology, performed data collection, analyzed traffic data to identify periods suitable for shoulder operations, and conducted interviews with bus drivers. Athey Creek explored relevant data sets, coordinated with the project team on data availability, formats, and issues, and gathered data. Athey Creek conducted interviews with MVTA bus drivers before and after implementation of the in-vehicle technology to document their reactions to the on-board technology.

Athey Creek conducted a ‘proof of concept’ evaluation for the ENTERPRISE Pooled Fund Study to understand the potential for video analytics as a tool to perform traffic data collection, traffic incident detection, and wrong-way vehicle detection. During the evaluation, traffic data collected from video analytics systems were compared to data collected by agencies using traditional methods (e.g., loop detectors and radar). Athey Creek compared incident detection alerts from video analytics to still images and video clips, to determine the rate of verified incidents (e.g., stopped vehicles, debris in road) versus ‘false alarms.’ Athey Creek also executed a controlled field test at a wrong-way detection test bed created by the Iowa Department of Transportation, to test the accuracy of video analytics in detecting wrong-way vehicle movements at freeway exit ramps. Athey Creek led all aspects of the evaluation, including developing a detailed evaluation plan, coordinating with participating agencies and vendors to gather data, conduct analysis, and prepare a technical report.