Durham Station

Comment and Information for 2006 Durham Counts:

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General Notes for All Stations:

All automatic count stations have been counted with FHWA 13-class vehicle classification and grouped into the cordon count categories. Under this classification scheme, based on vehicle length, the light truck category is overestimated compared to manual count stations because personal trucks cannot be separated out from commercial trucks. Buses are also overestimated compared to manual count stations because they cannot be totally separated out from some larger medium trucks or smaller heavy trucks.
For automatic count stations, passenger vehicle counts are proportioned into automobile occupancy categories. Using a sample of manual count stations with relatively low traffic volumes, the proportions were derived from the average percentage share of automobiles for the A.M. and P.M. peak hours (equal to 0.81, 0.16, 0.02, and 0.01 for Auto1, Auto2, Auto3 and Auto4, respectively).
For automatic count stations, all buses are considered to be school buses, and occupancies are based on the average occupancies recorded at a sample of manual counted stations with relatively low traffic volumes.
Database has been modified to reflect traffic volume in 15-minute ending times.
Cab drivers and truck drivers are NOT included in person counts.
2009 counts were conducted from 6:00 to 20:00 (i.e., 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.).
The Cordon Count is a one-day snap shot of traffic at each station counted by direction over the period from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. There are natural fluctuations in traffic volume and composition by day of week, month, weather, geographic distribution of industrial and commercial activities in the region and economic cycles. In these sense it should be noted that:
a) The 2009 count was undertaken just after and during a sharp increase in gas prices from approximately $ 0.90 to over $1.00.
b) Durham Region has a large industrial park with automotive industry which affects the traffic near the location of the industrial parks. In 2009 the economic crisis and subsequent layoffs and closures in the automotive sector may have impacted traffic flows.
The heavy tinted windows of GO Buses and of some buses classified as .Other. make it necessary to have a sunny day, preferably with the sun on the far side of the vehicle, to provide a good estimate of the number of occupants. This is particularly true for freeway counts using overpass bridges or embankments. In order to reduce the amount of errors made due to tinted windows, the location of surveyors were chosen so as to maximize the angle of the sun for better vision. Counts which were conducted on the freeway or on overpass bridges were scheduled for days where potential for visibility would be optimal.

Specific Notes by Station Number:

Station	Comments
102	Whites Road At 14:31, the surveyor accidentally turned off his TFR and the TFR was restarted at 14:38. 7 minutes of data was lost. Because the reports are conducted in 15 minute intervals, the existing data for the 15 minutes interval 14:30 -14:45 were multiplied by two and included in the report for this 15-minute interval
501	Simcoe St. Ramp The ramp was full between 2:30 PM and 3:15 PM thus a queue of cars was formed along the entire length of the ramp.
508	Bloor St. Received call from the surveyor counting traffic moving EB. The surveyor had some trouble keeping up with the heavy traffic flow and expressed concern that he was making errors. At 4:00 PM we assigned an extra surveyor to this location who worked until 7:00 PM.
2503	Highway 12 In the afternoon shift there was an increased amount of .other. busses. Further, because of the heavy rain it was difficult to gage the occupancy in the busses.
5606	Highway 7A After 7 p.m. heavy fog. Counts were conducted from the surveyors. cars due to the poor weather. Further, due to fog and decreased visibility, occupancy counts were more difficult and may contain errors.

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