
In the absence of advanced traveler information systems, commuters tend to select their routes of travel, within a congested network, primarily based on historical average travel times. Typical traffic conditions can be sufficient if a specific day is similar to these average conditions. However, if traffic conditions vary considerably from the norm, historical information may not be sufficient for commuters to make optimum travel decisions. Under these conditions the provision of real-time traffic information could offer significant benefits. Consequently, the proposed research effort attempts to characterize typical variability in traffic conditions using traffic volume data obtained from 31 dual-loop detector stations along a section of 1-66 between Manassas and Vienna, VA during a 3-month period. The detectors logged time-mean speed, volume, and occupancy measurements for each station and lane combination. Using these data, the paper examines the spatiotemporal link and path flow variability on weekdays and weekends. The generation of path flows is made through the use of a synthetic maximum likelihood approach. Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests are performed on the data. The results demonstrate that in terms of link flows and total traffic demand Mondays and Fridays are similar to core weekdays (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). In terms of path flows, Fridays appear to be different from core weekdays.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
