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Complete encyclopedia of transportation planning measures and calculations
Transportation planning is a multidisciplinary field that involves the development of policies, strategies, and infrastructure to facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods within a region.
With a goal of creating a safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation system that meets the needs of the community while addressing economic, environmental, and social considerations, transportation planners work to improve existing infrastructure, plan for future growth, and enhance overall mobility.
To guide their framework, transportation planners utilize on a series of performance measure that help with:
Knowing that performance measures are essential tools in transportation planning for setting goals, monitoring progress, making informed decisions, and optimizing the performance of transportation systems, what follows is an encyclopedia of transportation planning measures and their calculations.
Vehicle Miles Traveled
Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is determined using vehicle traffic volume and segment length.
Calculation
SUM( Segment_Length x Volume )
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Vehicle Miles Traveled is the total mileage traveled by all vehicles over a period of time for a given area
Person Miles Traveled
Person Miles Traveled (PMT) is determined by multiplying VMT by the average vehicle occupancy.
Calculation
SUM( Segment_Length x Volume x Average_Vehicle_Occupancy )
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Person Miles Traveled is the total mileage traveled by all vehicles multiplied by the average vehicle occupancy over a period of time for a given area
% of Travel Meeting Level of Service (LOS) Targets
The percentage of travel meeting LOS targets is determined by summing the VMT on roadways operating acceptably and then dividing it by the total system VMT. The term “acceptably” is defined as LOS D (two-hour peak and daily) for the 7 Largest MPO Urbanized Areas, LOS D (one-hour peak and daily) for other urbanized areas, and LOS C (one-hour peak and daily) everywhere else”
Calculation
( SUM( VMT during Peak Performance >= Acceptable LOS Target Threshold ) / SUM( VMT ) ) x 100
% of Miles Meeting Level of Service (LOS) targets
"The percentage of miles meeting LOS targets is determined by summing the centerline miles of roadways operating acceptably and then dividing by the total system centerline miles. The term “acceptably” is defined as LOS D (two-hour peak and daily) for the 7 Largest MPO Urbanized Areas, LOS D (one-hour peak and daily) for other urbanized areas, and LOS C (one hour peak and daily) everywhere else."
Calculation
( SUM( Segment_Length during Peak Performance >= Acceptable LOS Target Threshold ) / SUM( Segment Length ) ) x 100
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% of Miles Meeting Level of Service (LOS) targets
Travel Time Reliability: On-Time Arrival
For the urbanized areas of the 7 largest MPOs, on-time arrival is defined as the percentage of freeway trips traveling at least 45 mph. For all others, on-time arrival is defined as the percentage of freeway trips traveling at greater than or equal to 5 mph below the posted speed limit. For example, 80% on-time arrival indicates that the traveler is anticipated to arrive at the destination on time on 4 out of 5 trips.
Calculation
For Urbanized Areas of the 7 largest MPOs
( SUM( VMT at Travel Speed >= 45 mph ) / SUM( VMT ) ) x 100
All Others
( SUM( VMT at Travel Speed >= ( Speed Limit - 5 mph ) ) / SUM( VMT ) ) x 100"
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Travel time reliability % of freeway trips traveling at least 45 mph for urbanized areas. Or % of freeway trips traveling greater than or equal to 5 mph below the speed limit
Travel Time Reliability: Planning Time Index
Planning time index is defined as the ratio of the 95th percent peak period/hour travel time to the free flow travel time. This measure represents the additional time that a traveler should budget to ensure on-time arrival 95 percent of the time.
Calculation
( Travel Time 95th percentile ) / ( Travel Time free-flow )
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Travel Time Reliability is the amount of time a traveler should budget to ensure on-time arrival 95% of the time
Average Travel Speed
Average travel speed is the average of all hourly segment travel speeds captured by probe data or modeled through speed-volume functions.
Calculation
SUM( VMT x Average Travel Speed on Segment ) / SUM( VMT )
% Travel Achieving the Speed Limit
Percent travel achieving the posted speed limit is calculated for arterials and highways by comparing the average peak hour speed against the posted speed limit. The output represents the overall percentage of the speed limit achieved in the peak hour.
Calculation
SUM( VMT x ( Peak Hour Speed / Posted Speed Limit ) ) / SUM( VMT )
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% of Travel Achieving Speed Limit compares the average peak hour speed vs. posted speed limit
Vehicles Per Lane Mile
The vehicles per lane mile is calculated as the summation of each roadway segment’s peak hour vehicle miles traveled divided by the number of lane miles
Calculation
SUM( ( Volume / Number of Lanes ) x Lane Miles ) / SUM( Lane Miles )
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Vehicles per Lane Mile shows the number of vehicles per lane mile during peak hour
% of Travel Heavily Congested
The percentage of travel heavily congested is determined by summing the VMT on roadways operating at defined LOS thresholds and then dividing it by the total system VMT. The defined thresholds are identified as LOS E in urbanized areas (or worse) based on the travel speeds associated with LOS E thresholds, and LOS D in all other areas (or worse) based on the travel speeds associated with ‘D’."
Calculation
(SUM( VMT during Peak Performance at defined LOS thresholds ) ) / SUM( VMT ) ) x 100
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% of Travel Heavily Congested compares the total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) during peak performance that falls below the Level of Service thresholds vs. the total VMT of the system
% of Miles Heavily Congested
"The percentage of miles heavily congested is determined by summing the miles of roadway operating at defined LOS thresholds in the peak hour/peak period and then dividing by the total system miles. The defined LOS thresholds are the same as % of Travel Heavily Congested."
Calculation
( SUM( Segment Length during Peak Performance at defined LOS thresholds ) / SUM( Segment Length ) ) x 100
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% of Miles Heavily Congested compares the miles of a roadway segment that are operating at Level of Service thresholds during peak period vs. the total miles in the system
Hours Heavily Congested
"The vehicle hours heavily congested is estimated as the average number of hours in which segments operate at defined LOS thresholds, weighted by lane-miles. The defined LOS thresholds are the same as % of Travel Heavily Congested."
Calculation
Daily
SUM t=1 thru 24( Hourly Performance at defined LOS thresholds )
Yearly
365 x SUM t=1 thru 24( Hourly Performance at defined LOS thresholds )"
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Hours Heavily Congested is estimated as the average number of hours in which roadway segments operate at defined Level of Service thresholds
Vehicle Hours of Delay
Delay is estimated on an hourly basis by determining the difference between delay threshold travel time and actual travel time along a facility. The thresholds are based on LOS B as defined by FDOT.
Calculation
SUM( Vehicle Volume ) x (Daily or Peak Travel Time - Travel Time at LOS B)
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Vehicle Hours of Delay are estimated on an hourly basis and represent the calculated delay along a given route
Person Hours of Delay
Person hours of delay is calculated as the product of directional hourly volume, average vehicle occupancy, and the difference between travel time at “threshold” speeds and travel time at the actual speed. The thresholds are based on LOS B as defined by FDOT.
Calculation
SUM( Average Vehicle Occupancy ) x Vehicle Volume x (Daily or Peak Travel Time - Travel Time at LOS B)
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Person hours of delay is calculated as the estimated amount of additional time people spend in travel comparing volume, avg. vehicle occupancy, and the difference between travel time at threshold speeds vs. travel time at actual speed
Job Accessibility: Auto
"Job accessibility” is a “cumulative opportunity” metric — it reflects the total number of jobs reachable by auto within a 40-minute travel time threshold. It is calculated for each census block, and the results are aggregated to provide a statewide average. This calculation assumes a departure time of 8:00 a.m Wednesday, in order to represent job accessibility during the morning peak period."
Calculation
SUM( Block Level Number of Jobs x Number of Workers ) / SUM( Number of Workers )
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Job Accessibility: Auto shows the ratio of jobs that are accessible within a 40-minute travel time threshold at peak time
Number of Fatalities
Total number of fatalities on roadways as a direct result of a traffic crash within thirty days of the crash occurrence.
Calculation
SUM( Fatalities )
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Total number of fatalities resulting from traffic crashes within 30 days of crash occurrence
Number of Serious Injuries
Number of disabling/incapacitating injuries from traffic crashes that prevent the injured individuals from normal activities and require hospitalization.
Calculation
SUM( Serious Injuries )
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Total number of disabling/incapacitating injuries resulting from traffic crashes
Rate of Fatalities
Total number of fatalities on roadways per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
Calculation
SUM( Fatalities ) / SUM( 100 million VMT )
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Fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
Rate of Serious Injuries
Total number of serious injuries (nonfatal) on roadways per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
Calculation
SUM( Serious Injuries ) / SUM( 100 million VMT ) "H4: per 100 million VMT
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Serious Injury rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
Motorcyclist Fatalities
The number of fatalities of both motorcyclists and their passengers within 30 days of the crash occurrence.
Calculation
SUM( Motorcyclist Fatalities )
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Total number of fatalities for motorcyclists and their passengers resulting from crashes within 30 days of crash occurrence
Motorcyclist Serious Injuries
The number of incapacitating injuries of both motorcyclists and their passengers.
Calculation
SUM( Motorcyclist Serious Injuries )
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Total number of serious injuries (nonfatal) for motorcyclists and their passengers resulting from crashes
Pedestrian Fatalities and Serious Injuries
This measure is the total number of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries (incapacitating) that are reported on public roads.
Calculation
SUM( Pedestrian Fatalities ) SUM( Pedestrian Serious Injuries )
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Total number of serious injuries (nonfatal) and fatalities for pedestrians
Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries
This is the total number of bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries (incapacitating) on all roadways.
Calculation
SUM( Bicyclist Fatalities ) SUM( Bicyclist Serious Injuries )
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Total number of serious injuries (nonfatal) and fatalities for bicyclists
Safety Belt Usage
A survey that follows National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) procedures in determining the outboard, front-seat occupant belt use rate.
Calculation
Statewide Safety Belt Usage Rate
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Annual average of safety belt usagePeople-Related Mobility Measures: Transit
Transit Revenue Miles
Number of annual miles of vehicle operation while in active service (available to pick up revenue passengers).
Calculation
SUM( Revenue miles of vehicle operation while in active service )
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Total number of annual miles for active transit service vehicles (available to pick up revenue passengers)
Transit Passenger Trips
Annual number of passengers boarding on transit vehicles. A trip is counted each time a passenger boards a transit vehicle. Thus, if a passenger must transfer between buses to reach a destination, the passenger is counted as making two passenger trips.
Calculation
SUM( Passengers Boarding Transit Vehicles
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Transit Passenger Trips represents the annual number of passenger rides aboard a transit vehicle
Transit Revenue Miles Between Failures
Number of total annual revenue miles divided by the number of revenue vehicle system failures; an indicator of the average frequency of delays because of a problem with the equipment.
Calculation
SUM( Total Annual Revenue Miles ) / SUM( Number of Revenue Vehicle System Failures )
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Total number of annual revenue miles divided by number of revenue vehicle system failures as an indicator of average frequency of delays due to problems with equipment
Transit Weekday Span of Service
The number of hours that transit service is provided on a representative weekday in the operation of the transit agency. This indicator is determined by computing the number of hours between the time service begins and the time service ends for an average weekday.
Calculation
SUM( Service Spans ) / SUM( Transit Agencies )
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Average number of transit hours per transit agency
Resident Access to Transit
The percentage of the population within a half-mile of fixed-route transit.
Calculation
SUM( Population within a half mile of Transit ) / SUM( Total Population )
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% of population within 1/2 mile of fixed-route transit
Job Accessibility: Transit
Job accessibility is a “cumulative opportunity” metric — it reflects the total amount of jobs reachable by transit within a 40-minute travel time threshold. It is calculated for each census block, and the results are aggregated to provide a statewide average. This analysis uses the 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. time period. The data are averaged across that window from minute-by-minute departures.
Calculation
( Block Level Number of Jobs1 x SUM( Number of Workers1, Block Level Number of Jobs2 x Number of Workers2, ... ) ) / SUM( Number of Workers1, Number of Workers2, ... )
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Transit shows the ratio of jobs that are accessible within a 40-minute transit time threshold at peak time
Transit Passenger Trips Per Revenue Mile
The ratio of annual transit passenger trips to total annual transit revenue miles of service; a key indicator of service effectiveness that is influenced by the levels of demand and the supply of service provided.
Calculation
SUM( Annual Transit Passenger Trips ) / SUM( Annual Transit Revenue Miles )
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Transit passenger trips per revenue mile is a key indicator of service effectiveness
% Pedestrian Facility Coverage
The percentage of centerline miles of non-freeway SHS facilities in urban areas (5,000+ population) that have sidewalks and/or shared-use paths available to pedestrians.
Calculation
( SUM( Pedestrian Facility Miles in Urban Areas ) / SUM( Centerline Miles in Urban Areas ) ) x 100
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% of pedestrian facility coverage represents the % of centerline miles of non-freeway SHS facilities in urban areas with sidewalks or shared-use paths available to pedestrians
% Bicycle Facility Coverage
The percentage of centerline miles of non-freeway SHS facilities that have bike lanes, paved shoulders, or shared pathways available to bicyclists.
Calculation
( SUM( Miles of Bicycle Facilities ) / SUM( Centerline Miles ) ) x 100
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% of centerline miles of non-freeway SHS facilities that have bike lanes, paved shoulders, or shared pathways available to bicyclists % Population Within 1 Mile of Bike Facilities
Ratio of population within one mile of bike lanes and shared-use paths to state’s total population. The bike lane and shared-use path miles include those on the SHS and a limited number of non-SHS miles deemed of interest to FDOT.
Calculation
( Population within One Mile of Bike Lane and Shared-Use Paths / Total Population in the State) x 100
More Info
% of population within 1 mile of bike lanes and shared-use paths
Aviation Passenger Boardings
The total number of revenue passengers who board an aircraft at an airport. If a passenger has to transfer between planes to reach a destination, the passenger is counted as making two passenger boardings.
Calculation
SUM( Revenue Passengers Boarding Aircraft )
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Total number of revenue passengers who board an aircraft at an airport. Transfers between planes count as a separate boarding.
Aviation Departure Reliability
Departure is deemed reliable if the flight departs within 15 minutes after the scheduled time shown in the carrier’s Computerized Reservations Systems (CRS). In the aviation industry, this is commonly known as on-time departure. Departure reliability is based on departure from the gate and can be influenced by various factors such as heavy traffic volume, weather, and mechanical reasons beyond the control of the airport.
Calculation
( SUM( Departures <= 15 Minutes of Schedule ) / SUM( Departures ) ) x 100
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Also known as on-time departure rate, where a departure is deemed reliable if the flight departs within 15 min after the scheduled time People-Related Mobility Measures: Rail
Rail Passengers
Annual number of revenue-paying rail passengers.
Calculation
SUM( Rail Passengers )
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Total number of revenue-paying rail passengers
Passenger Rail On-Time Arrival
Rail on-time arrival captures the on-time performance of a passenger rail system operating. A train is considered on-time if arrival is within a specified threshold timeframe of scheduled arrival time. The threshold time frame varies based on the trip length.
Calculation
( SUM( On Time Trains ) / SUM( Trains ) ) x 100
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Passenger Rail On-Time Arrival rate captures the on-time performance (within a threshold timeframe varying on the length of the trip of passenger rails People-Related Mobility Measures: Seaport
Seaport Passenger Movements
Annual number of passengers embarking and disembarking on cruise ships at a cruise port.
Calculation
SUM( Cruise Passenger Movements )
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Annual number of passengers embarking and disembarking on cruise ships
Combination Truck Miles Traveled
Combination Truck Miles Traveled (CTMT) is computed by multiplying VMT by the combination truck factor.
Calculation
SUM( Segment Length x Volume x Combination Truck Factor )
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Combination Truck Miles Traveled (CTMT) calculates the daily vehicle miles traveled for combination trucks
Truck Miles Traveled
Truck Miles Traveled (TMT) is computed by multiplying daily VMT by a truck factor, also known as the heavy vehicle percentage or T factor.
Calculation
SUM( Segment Length x Volume x % of Trucks )
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Truck Miles Traveled (TMT) calculates the daily vehicle miles traveled by trucks
Combination Truck Tonnage
Freight tonnage carried by combination trucks. The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) tonnage data is interpolated using a combination-truck-miles-traveled factor and weigh-in-motion data to calculate truck tonnage.
Calculation
SUM( Tonnage2012 ) x (AvgLoadofFullCombTR2018 / AvgLoadofFullCombTR2012 ) x ( CTMT2018 / CTMT2012 )
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Freight tonnage carried by combination trucks
Combination Truck Ton Miles Traveled
The product of combination truck tonnage and the combination truck miles traveled.
Calculation
SUM( AvgLoadofAllCombTR ) x CTMT x 365
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Total annual combination truck miles multiplied by the miles traveled by combination trucks
Combination Truck Value of Freight
The value of truck freight in dollar amount is obtained from the FAF cargo value data, truck tonnage, and annual factors for CTMT average truck load.
Calculation
SUM( Tonnage2012 ) x (AvgLoadofFullCombTR2018 / AvgLoadofFullCombTR2012 ) x ( CTMT2018 / CTMT2012 ) x FAF Value of Freight
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Total annual value of truck freight
Combination Truck Travel On-Time Arrival
On-Time Arrival is the percentage of truck miles traveled for which the travel speed is greater than or equal to 45 mph for freeways within 7 Largest MPO Urbanized Areas, and greater than or equal to 5 mph below the posted speed limit for freeways in all other areas
Calculation
Urbanized Areas of the 7 largest MPOs
( SUM( CTMT|Travel Speed >= 45 mph ) / SUM( CTMT ) ) x 100
All Others
( SUM( CTMT|Travel Speed >= (Speed Limit - 5 mph) ) / SUM( CTMT ) ) x 100
More Info
On-time arrival is the % of combination truck miles traveled for which travel speed is greater than or equal to 45 mph for freeways in the 7 largest urban areas and greater than equal to 5 mph below posted speed limit for freeways in other areas
Combination Truck Planning Time Index
"Combination Truck Planning Time Index is the same as Planning Time Index (PTI), defined as a ratio of the 95th percent peak period/hour travel time to the free flow travel time. This measure represents the additional time that a shipper should budget to ensure on-time arrival 95% of the time."
Calculation
95th Percentile Travel Time / ( Free - flow Travel Time )
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Combination truck planning time index represents the additional time that a shipper should budget to ensure on-time arrival 95% of the time
Combination Truck Hours of Delay
Combination Truck Hours of Delay is estimated on an hourly basis by determining the difference between delay threshold travel time and actual travel time along a facility.
Calculation
SUM( Combination Truck Volume ) x ( Daily Combination Truck Travel Time - Travel Time at LOS B )
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Combination truck hours of delay is estimated on an hourly basis to determine the difference between delay threshold travel time and actual travel time along a route
Combination Truck Average Travel Speed
Combination truck average travel speed is the average of all hourly segment travel speeds captured by probe data or modeled through speed-volume functions. The combination truck average speed is estimated assuming that the free flow speed for automobile is set as the posted speed limit plus 5 mph, and the free flow speed for combination trucks is the posted speed limit.
Calculation
SUM( CTMT x Combination Truck Average Travel Speed ) / SUM( CTMT )
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Combination truck average travel speed
Combination Truck Cost of Delay
Cost of delay comes from calculating the average marginal cost of labor per hour and multiplying that by the number of hours of delay for combination trucks.
Calculation
SUM( Combination Truck Hours of Delay x Average Marginal Cost of Labor per Hour )
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Cost of delay is the average marginal cost of labor per hour multiplied by the number of hours of delay for combination trucks
Truck Empty Backhaul Tonnage
In the trucking industry, backhaul is the return movement of a truck from its original destination to its point of origin. When the truck is not hauling cargo during this movement, it is considered an empty backhaul. This measure represents the available carrying capacity that is not being utilized by trucks leaving a state.
Calculation
SUM( Truck Empty Backhaul Tonnage )
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The unutilized tonnage of trucks not carrying cargo after leaving their original destination and returning to its point of originFreight-Related Mobility
Aviation Tonnage
The weight of all cargo handled at airports.
Calculation
SUM( Tons Handled at All Airports )
Aviation Value of Freight
Aviation value of freight is the product of aviation tonnage and average value of cargo per ton. Average value per ton is calculated using FAF data.
Calculation
SUM( Tonnage ) x Average Value per Ton
More Info
Aviation tonnage multiplied by the average value of cargo per tonFreight-Related Mobility Measures: Space Launches
Space Launches
Space launches account for all the successful mission launches from Cape Canaveral Spaceport, other than any test flights.
Calculation
SUM( Orbital Launches )
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Count of all the successful mission launches (not including test flights) Freight-Related Mobility Measures: Rail
Rail Tonnage
The tons of freight carried by rail
Calculation
SUM( Rail Tonnage )
More Info
Total tonnage of freight carried by rail mode Freight-Related Mobility Measures: Seaport
Seaport Tonnage
International and domestic waterborne tons of cargo handled at public seaports.
Calculation
SUM( Seaport Tonnage )
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International and domestic waterborne tons of cargo handled at public seaports
Seaport Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units
Twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) represents the cargo capacity of a standard intermodal container, twenty feet long and eight feet wide. It is the standardized unit of the capacity of a container ship, or a container terminal.
Calculation
SUM( Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units )
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Represents the cargo capacity of container ships or container terminal using the base unit as a standard intermodal container 20' long x 8' wide Seaport Value of Freight
Seaport value of freight is the dollar value of international waterborne cargo handled at public seaports.
Calculation
SUM( Value of Waterborne Trade )
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Dollar value of international waterborne cargo handled at public seaports
