The measurement of speed, journey time and queue status on non SCOOT controlled links

In recent years there has been a growing awareness of the problems caused by congestion in urban areas. Link journey time is considered to be a valuable parameter in the provision of information to the driver and a basis for urban traffic control. To gain a better understanding of queue build up and decay and its knock on effects on journey times one needs to obtain accurate information on road conditions. The main aim of the paper is to describe a method used to determine journey times, speeds and queue status using VHS camcorders at 12 positions along a four lane urban carriageway in Southampton. The information collected was used to validate other calculations of link journey time and delay made using single loop detectors fitted along the same stretch of road