Case Studies

Fieldwork Case Studies

Survey of passenger and vehicle movements around a busy station forecourt

As part of the implementation of a Station Travel Plan, it was necessary to analyse the circulation of people and vehicles around the forecourt at Ashford station (Kent). FDAL was asked to collect data to understand the quantum and trip distribution of all modes of transport (including pedestrians and cyclists) throughout various locations within the busy station environs.

The data had to be collected in 15 minute slots for four hours during the morning peak and a similar time during the evening peak. At each location the client need to know the number and direction of travel of cars, taxis, light and heavy goods vehicles, buses, coaches, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Within the station forecourt it was also necessary to record the dwell time of the vehicles. A car count within the stations three car parks was also required hourly.

In addition an automated traffic count was needed of all the vehicles along the main station access road for a week (the road on the left).

Fifth Dimension put together a team of 12 individuals who accurately collected all the data and the office staff then collated all the data into a format acceptable to the client. Dictaphone tallies of vehicles in and out of the station forecourt were translated into an excel spreadsheet giving ready access to dwell times of eight hours worth of vehicle visits.

The work was complicated owing the the large site area and multiple access points. It was also necessary to do part of the survey work during a winter evening. To plan resources we made an initial visit during the hours of darkness to check the best vantage points, site-lines and so on. This was invaluable as it ruled out a key (warm) vantage point owing to internal light reflection which would not have been obvious on a daytime visit. The final survey work was consequently undertaken with no surprises and the optimal number of staff.

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