Development of a methodological framework for observational surveys in moving traffic. In many cases the temporal variation of mobility behavior and/or the effectiveness of road safety measures shall be assessed by observational surveys. As a rule, for each project a separate study design is to be developed. However, from a methodological point of view the manifold research issues can be categorized into a small number of basic patterns of research questions. Thus, the objective of the present research project is to develop a generally applicable design for surveys, where the behavior of road users is observed directly in moving traffic. Consequently, another objective is to show the methodological scope of observational surveys in moving traffic and to call attention to problems and ancillary conditions. So the intention of the present report is to provide support to those who are planning to conduct a study of this type. In Chapter 2 some national as well as international examples for observational surveys in moving traffic are presented. These studies form the basis for the development of our methodological framework. In Chapter 3 the data collection method "observational survey" is classified under aspects of statistical methodology and empirical social research. In Chapter 4 a number of statistical mobility behavior measures which can be derived from observational surveys are arranged. Chapter 5 is dealing with sampling designs suitable for observational surveys, Chapter 6 covers the corresponding formulas for the expansion of results and the assessment of accuracy (confidence intervals). Chapter 7 contains some methodological considerations on the possibilities and constraints connected with drawing a random sample of observation points and times in road networks. In Chapter 8 the process of an observational survey is discussed under practical aspects – based on the conceptual framework developed. Prior to the summary and recommen-dations (Chapter 10) a comparison between the methodological framework developed here and the procedures currently applied in surveys on road user safety behavior on behalf of BASt is given in Chapter 9. The final report also contains the results of a project workshop held on January, 18th, 2010 in Bergisch Gladbach. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting