System Operations Data Integrity Assessment

Traffic sensors are being deployed widely across the nation, and their data is increasingly being archived for use in multiple applications. However, before the data can be used, it is important to ask, "Can we really trust the data?" This may be addressed through two basic and important value-added services of a traffic data archive. Firstly, data screening checks the feasibility (i.e. is the data reasonable?) and usability of the data already collected. In the second phase, the health of the detection system is continuously monitored to support proactive maintenance of the sensor infrastructure. This research effort focused on developing a methodology to tailor these functions for specific archives. The report presents the methodology, as well as examples of its application in the Regional Integrated Transportation Information System (RITIS) of the Washington, D.C. area.