Cross-Sectional Data

Abstract

Cross-sectional data is captured by stationary induction loops, radar, or infrared sensors. The collected information is provided either directly as single-vehicle data or aggregated into macroscopic quantities. In this chapter we define the measurable and derived quantities characterizing both data formats, with special attention on the difference between temporal and spatial averages. Traffic density, a spatially defined quantity, cannot be directly measured using cross-sectional detectors, but several estimation methods are presented and discussed. Speed estimation methods are introduced to overcome the inability of single-loop detectors to directly measure vehicle speed