Survey Information
Background
Aerial Surveys
This interactive slide show presents the findings of highway mobility surveys conducted primarily in the fall of 2007, supplemented with additional surveys conducted in early 2008. The primary means of data capture was still digital photography acquired from fast-moving high-winged aircraft. The purpose was to provide baseline highway flow conditions in support of the New York City Managed-Use Lanes Study performed by Parsons Brinckerhoff for Region 11 of the New York State Department of Transportation. Survey flights, data extraction, analysis and preparation of deliverables were conducted by Skycomp, Inc., a firm that has specialized in these tasks since 1970.
Survey Data and Deliverables
The three primary products of the aerial traffic surveys are:
- Quantitative Survey Data: The raw and processed data - vehicle counts, segment densities and levels of service derived from the survey photos and calculated in the database (more information on data reduction is available on the (more information on data reduction is available on the Methodology page).
- Qualitative Analysis: Graphical maps and written observations provide context for the data. Comments often document the extent and duration of congestion at a specific location, while graphical maps provide a quick qualitative overview of the data.
- Interactive web-based slide shows: Selected photos from the survey flights and special maps and graphics provide a visual representation of the data and the analysis.