Traveler Perceptions of Freeway Traffic Quality

The level of service (LOS) concept given in the
Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) has been used as a
qualitative measure representing freeway operational
conditions for over 40 years. One key element that is
not adequately addressed, however, is how travelers
perceive the quality of service. In this book, the
author examines traveler perceptions of freeway
traffic quality in terms of traveler characteristics
and prevailing traffic conditions. Questionnaire
surveys are designed and conducted to quantify
traveler perceptions and the results are
statistically analyzed and compared with the HCM
specification. Findings suggest that the use of
traffic density as a single performance measure for
LOS as currently prescribed in the HCM does not
reasonably reflect the perspectives of travelers.
Several significant attributes in terms of traveler
perceptions are identified through a modeling
approach. This book will be of interest not only to
traffic engineers and practitioners but also to those
who wonder how traffic conditions are evaluated and
interacted with perceptions from travelers.

Autorentext

Dr. Kasem Choocharukul received a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering at Purdue University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at Chulalongkorn University. His research areas include transportation systems analysis, urban transportation planning, traffic and travel behavior,transportation data modeling, and traffic psychology.

Klappentext

The level of service (LOS) concept given in theHighway Capacity Manual (HCM) has been used as aqualitative measure representing freeway operationalconditions for over 40 years. One key element that isnot adequately addressed, however, is how travelersperceive the quality of service. In this book, theauthor examines traveler perceptions of freewaytraffic quality in terms of traveler characteristicsand prevailing traffic conditions. Questionnairesurveys are designed and conducted to quantifytraveler perceptions and the results arestatistically analyzed and compared with the HCMspecification. Findings suggest that the use oftraffic density as a single performance measure forLOS as currently prescribed in the HCM does notreasonably reflect the perspectives of travelers.Several significant attributes in terms of travelerperceptions are identified through a modelingapproach. This book will be of interest not only totraffic engineers and practitioners but also to thosewho wonder how traffic conditions are evaluated andinteracted with perceptions from travelers.