Traffic survey causes its own traffic jam
A traffic survey in Cambridge, designed to gather data to improve traffic flow, caused its own traffic jam recently.
The survey was carried out on a face-to-face basis, which involved stopping traffic so that drivers could be asked key questions about their journeys in a specific part of Cambridge. The survey was needed so that traffic planners can update an ageing system that often sees congestion and frustration from drivers.
Questionnaire survey
On this occasion, however, it was the traffic survey itself that caused the problems. Interviewers, backed by police officers, stopped cars to ask several questions. This method caused a tailback on the A14, one of Cambridge’s major and busiest routes. A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said that the delays were regrettable, but that drivers on other routes would also be surveyed over the coming months so that a clear idea of usage can emerge.
Designing and carrying out questionnaire traffic surveys whilst causing the least interference possible is an important part of the survey process. In some cases, lay-bys are used to draw a sample number of vehicles off the road, enabling data to be gathered without slowing the flow of traffic, but each survey should be individually designed for the environment, time of survey and amount of data required in order to be useful.
Efficient traffic surveys from RDS
For a wide range of traffic survey services, including questionnaire surveys, talk to RDS. We have the experience and personnel to help your survey run smoothly.
