This document discusses the use of Bluetooth-based data collection using BluFax technology for urban corridor studies. BluFax devices record the unique Bluetooth ID of detectable devices passing within their detection zone, along with a timestamp and location data. The data is processed by BluStat software to output graphics and results like travel time, speed, and origin-destination pairs between stations. Early applications focused on travel time studies, but recent applications now combine travel time with origin-destination data for uses like signal timing studies, interchange evaluations, and pedestrian studies. Key benefits are the ability to track Bluetooth signals throughout a study area to obtain travel time and origin-destination data.

1. Use of Bluetooth-based Data Collection Opportunities and Challenges forUrban Corridor Studies Donna Nelson, PhD Marketing Director, Traffax Inc dcnelson@traffaxinc.com 240-447-8612

2. BluFax Technology Each Bluetooth devices has a unique, but anonymous device ID BluFax devices record: ID of each detectable device. Time stamp ID detected. BluFax unit ID BluFax location coordinates. Distance BluStat Software: Processes station data. Filters and processes data. Outputs graphics and results. User-configurable parameters. Detection Zone At least two units are required! Number of units and spacing depends on application.

3. Time and Space All BluFax applications build on the concept of comparing the time at which unique device IDs are detected by pairs of units. Segment: Pairs of units Stations-BluFax units A C A B D E H D D G Corridor: Defined by a series of segments O-D Pairs: Defined between pairs of stations to capture Origins & Destinations.

4. Early Applications……. Early applications focused on vehicle traveltime applications on freeways, arterial roadways, and special events. 8/18/2010 4 I-95 Vehicle Probe Validation Assessment of signal timing on arterials Urban arterials, DC Demo on July 4th Freeway Interchange Assessment Brickyard (Indianapolis) Study Passenger delay at security check points Traveltime studies in Australia

5. Recent Applications Rapid shift from traveltime to applications requiring a combination of O&D and travel time capabilities. Evolving Application types Application environments Traveltime and delay studies Real-time traveltime information. Signal timing before and after studies. Evaluation of complex interchanges Pedestrian origin-destination studies. Passenger wait times and border wait times. (real time and lane-by-lane) Work zone monitoring (real time) Workzone operations evaluation Access/egress private developments Large-scale planning O-D studies Freeways Arterial roadways High-density urban environments. Workzones Transit stations/pedestrian zones. Intersections Freeway interchanges Access/egress

6. Key Characteristics The majority of detectable devices are carried by an individual who may be on foot, in an automobile, truck, bus, or the local coffee shop; or vehicles in main lanes and adjacent HOV lanes. Picks ups all signals within its detection zone. Ability to track unique signal past detectors throughout study area. Data from BluFax represents a SAMPLE of the population

7. 4th of July Demonstration 2009 Operation Fast Forward Collect traffic data following special events. Data collection following closure of 4th of July fireworks at the National capital Mall. Develop and evaluate emergency management plans and models. Traditional traffic studies Provide insufficient data to support analysis and modeling needs. Manual data collection for pedestrians labor intensive and expensive. Typical data collection limited to three hours following close of fireworks.

8. 5 Minute Detection Rates 0 to 18 0 to 50 0 to 80 0 to 65

9. Segment Plot Results by Day Travel time Speed Matched pairs

10. Un-filtered Traveltimes

12. Before/After impact of signal timing

13. AM, Mid-day, and PM analysis

14. February 23-27, 2009

16. Opportunities Corridor data addresses traveltime or speed along defined corridors. Can be defined to reflect different entry/exit points along corridors, or to compare alternate corridors. Provides space mean speed which reflects the time needed to traverse a defined section of roadway.

17. Origin-Destination Data BluFAX provides origin/destination data with a time element

18. Volumes and Detection Rates 8/18/2010 BluFAX does not collect traffic volumes, however, Studies indicate that detection rates track to volumes for comparable time periods. Proportion of turning movements for arterial intersections and interchanges support this….. Detections can be compared to volume counts to establish a baseline for a specific location. 15

19. Bluetooth, Floating Car, Inrix Data

20. Comparison with ATRs 8/18/2010 Speed Comparison of BluFAX data with ATR data….. Proportion of volume by time of day 17

21. Pedestrian Station Detections

23. Segment with the same beginning and end point, and longer time window, provides O-D information for vehicles entering and leaving via the same route.19

24. Planning or Traffic? The concept can be applied to planning or traffic applications. Often, the same data set and support both types of studies! Filtering criteria Min/max travel times Specific segments (station pairs) Placement of units Density/spacing of units