Handbook on traffic volume Chapter 2 Users’ needs Marly Odekerken-Smeets Luxemburg, 12th December 2006

Content of presentation Traffic and transport today and tomorrow Request for information Main users Problems in relation to data collection Additional variables of interest Basic needs

Traffic and transport today Liberalisation of markets Growing volume of traffic and transport Congestion Accidents Pollution

Traffic and transport tomorrow Maintain economic growth by sustainable and safe mobility and transport with fewer negative effects

Need for information International comparable figures Data exchanges to: - improve quality - increase scope - widespread use

Different users need different figures policy-making at national and international level; infrastructure management and planning; traffic and transport management; spatial planning; accidents; environmental issues (including safety and scrap).

Main data users Ministries Statistical offices' internal users Regional and local authorities Road authorities International (EC, UNECE, ECMT, EEA) Research institutes Vehicle industry and car companies Insurance companies Road construction industry Safety organisations Freight transport associations Private transport associations

Problems No common practice for collecting information on traffic movements Main variable is the distance travelled Methods depend on available and usable data sources Additional information to distance should be collected

Variables related to the vehicle type of vehicle (passenger car, van, lorry, road tractor, bus, motorbike, others); age; fuel type (petrol, diesel, LPG); gross vehicle weight (unladen vehicle weight plus loading capacity); engine power; fuel consumption/fuel efficiency; nationality of the owner and of the vehicle.

Variables related to use of the vehicle reasons for use (private or business/own account or hire and reward); actual fuel consumption. For national vehicles this information could be available from the vehicle register (name of user: private or business, lease identity, economic sector

Variables related to user of the vehicle age; gender; driving experience; provisional or full driving licence; driving licence by vehicle type; income group. This information will be available only in the case of mobility surveys.

Variables related to infrastructure type of road (motorway, main roads, other roads). In most countries information on the main road network (length, volume of traffic, etc.) is available from network databases. However, information on minor/local roads will often be sparse.

Variables related to the location Inside or outside built-up areas/urban or rural NUTS 0, 1 or 2 This information could also be available from network information. Sometimes there is even information about the maximum speed limits for vehicles in some areas. If not, a classification of roads as urban or rural could be used.

Basis needs from several users

Thank you for your attention