Final Scope
Traffic analysis, whether for operational, design, or planning purposes, plays a crucial role in informed decision-making regarding transportation investments. While historically focused on motorized modes and roadway facilities, recent decades have seen advancements in incorporating non-motorized modes into traffic analysis practices. Despite the development of methodologies like the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) for non-motorized modes, there is limited information on how state DOTs are integrating these modes into their traffic analysis processes.
The objective of this synthesis is to document the current state of the traffic analysis practice (not limited to the deterministic methods such as HCM) for non-motorized modes (or multimodal analysis).
Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to):
- Categorization/definition of non-motorized modes vs. Vulnerable Road Users;
- Legal, administrative, and funding procedures or protocols affecting the consideration and integration of non-motorized modes in traffic analysis projects;
- Guidelines and manuals for traffic analysis involving non-motorized modes;
- Tools, data sources, and methods used to incorporate and analyze non-motorized modes in traffic analysis;
- Outputs obtained from traffic analysis related to non-motorized modes; and
- Challenges and limitations for integration of non-motorized modes.
Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.
Information Sources (Partial):
- HCM (Latest Edition), Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
- Multimodal Quality/Level of Service Handbook, Florida DOT
- Dowling, R., et al. (2008). NCHRP Report 616: Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/14175.
- AASHTO’s Highway Safety Manual. http://www.highwaysafetymanual.org/
TRB Staff
Arefeh Nasri
Phone: 202-334-2763
Email: anasri@nas.edu
Meeting Dates
First Panel Meeting: September 26, 2024, in-person meeting in Washington, DC
Teleconference with Consultant: October 17, 2024, 11:30 am-12:30 pm EST via zoom
Second Panel Meeting: June 17, 2025, in-person meeting in Washington, DC
Panel Members
Jason Blackburn, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Carlos A Feliciano, Illinois Department of Transportation
Manju Kumar, California Department of Transportation
Joseph Moges, Maryland State Highway Administration
Heather Zull, Michigan Department of Transportation
Hannah Younes, Rutgers University
Jongsun Won, FHWA Liaison
