Previous Research Needs Statements

This page serves as a repository for previous Research Needs Statements.  Below is a summary of these along with the 2021 submittals.

Funded Research Needs Statements

The following Research Needs Statements were developed by ACP70 and received funding.  Links to the corresponding projects are provided.

• Improving Motorcycle Detection and Count Data

• Final Report:  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_760.pdf 

• Length-Based Vehicle Classification

• Final Report:  http://lrrb.org/media/reports/201233.pdf  

• Insourcing/Outsourcing Traffic Data Collection

• Final Report:  forthcoming

• Use of Weigh-in-Motion data for Improving Pavement, Bridge, Weight Enforcement, and Freight Logistics Practices (NCHRP Synthesis 20-05/Topic 50-03)

• Assignment of Short-Duration Traffic Volume Counts to Adjustment Factor Groups (NCHRP 07-30)

Finalized Research Needs Statements

Full RNS can be accessed at https://rns.trb.org/.  

• • Traffic Data Monitoring Partnerships with ITS Operations

  • Impact of Axle Configuration on Vehicle Classification Accuracy

  • Weight vs. No Weight Vehicle Classification

  • An Assessment of the Quality of Vehicle Classification Data and a Demonstration of How It Can be Measured and Improved to Support the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide

  • Evaluate the Feasibility of Using Multiple Sensor Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) Systems to Alleviate Errors Caused by Pavement Roughness or Vehicle Dynamics

  • What Do State and Local Transportation Agencies Need to Capitalize on the Impending Flood of Connected Vehicle Data

  • Big Data analytics for Connected Vehicle Data-Value Versus Privacy

  • Assignment of Short-Duration Traffic Volume Counts to Adjustment Factor Groups

  • Leveraging Existing Traffic Signal Assets to Obtain Quality Traffic Counts

  • Advancing multi-sensor weigh-in-motion (WIM) for improving weight data accuracy and reliability

  • Traffic Data to Support Asset Management Needs

  • Best Practices for Managing Traffic Monitoring Program Equipment and Related Assets

  • What Do State and Local Transportation Agencies Need to Capitalize on the Impending Flood of Connected Vehicle Data?

  • Big Data Analytics for Connected Vehicle Data – Value Versus Privacy

Attached at the bottom of the page are the 3 finalized RNS's from 2018.

Research Needs Statements under Development

From 2017 TRB Annual Meeting:

• • Leveraging Existing Traffic Signal Assets to Obtain Quality Traffic Counts

  • Implementation of a Universal Data Format

  • Traffic Data to Support Asset Management Needs

From 2018 TRB Annual Meeting:

• • New Methods and Technologies for Characterizing Truck Flow and Truck Weight: Axle Loads, Commodities, On-Board Weight, Portable WIM

  • Best Practices for Managing Traffic Monitoring Program Equipment and Related Assets

From 2021 list:

• • Standard Definitions for Travel Time Concepts: Inconsistencies, Ambiguities, Errors, Failure States, and Performance Measures

  • Detection and Validation of Abnormalities and Unusual Trends in Traffic Volume Counts 

Drafted Research Needs Statements (Not Submitted)

• • Implementation of a Universal Data Format

  • New Methods and Technologies for Characterizing Truck Flow and Truck Weight: Axle Loads, Commodities, On-Board Weight, Portable WIM 

For additional information, contact ACP70 Research Subcommittee Chair:

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