What were the traditional methods of data collection in the transit system?

Why are the traditional methods insufficient in satisfying the requirement of data collection?

1. Give a synopsis of the case study and your thoughts regarding the requirements of the optimization and performance measurement requirements and the impact to expensive and labor-intensive nature.

 

 Traditional Methods of Data Collection in Transit System

A Transit system refers to trains, buses, cars, motorcycles, etc., that run on fixed routes the public may travel (Zhang & Li, 2017). Many traffic data are supposed to be collected from the traffic for every transit system. Below are some of the traditional methods that can be used to collect the traffic data for various transit systems (Huang & Zhu, 2019).   The data collection methods in question include invasive techniques that use magnetic sensors, human surveyors in terrain, radars and image analysis through machine vision. 

The human surveyors are the frequently used traditional method of collecting traffic information (Casas & Delmelle, 2017). It entails a prepared paper with guidance on how to manually distinguish between different types of vehicles in the context of time interval; lane takes the direction of the vehicle, etc. However, this method of manually entering traffic information on paper is associated with a lot of errors because the human surveyors sometimes face the information collected (Casas & Delmelle, 2017). Therefore, there is a sense in which the human surveyor method was advanced by introducing a mobi8le app that enhances automatic entry of traffic information even during lunch breaks for the surveyors. Aside from the human surveyors, there are traditional technical data collection methods that include microwave radars, pressure hoses, etc. that are primarily used to monitor and track multiple-lane communications intensities (Huang & Zhu, 2019). Some specific technical methods of data collection, like invasive sensors, require the assignment of human beings to secure the devices and protect them from being stolen as they collect traffic information, hence making it rather expensive. 

Why are the traditional Methods Insufficient in Satisfying the Data Collection Requirements?

           First, the traditional data collection methods do not conform to the simplicity requirement of data collection (Casas & Delmelle, 2017). Generally, data collection is required to be kept simple from the beginning until the end. However, the traditional methods do not satisfy the simplicity requirements because they are pretty demanding in personnel and expertise (Zhang & Li, 2017). For instance, the manual surveyor’s method requires organizers, supervisors, counters, quality controllers, etc., making it a somewhat complex process. Secondly, a standard data collection method should display high accuracy in the results obtained. However, the traditional data collection methods have low accuracy ranging between 70%-90%. Conclusion this low level and variation inaccuracy of the findings is brought about by the time of the desired results delivery, length of the survey, fatigue of the staff, etc. (Zhang & Li, 2017). The factors mentioned earlier because high error levels witnessed in rational data collection methods, making them insufficient to meet the requirement of data collection. 

Synopsis of the Case Study

 The case study in question was about the traditional methods of data collection in the transit system (Zhang & Li, 2017). According to the study, the data collection methods primarily used in traffic included the human surveyor’s methods and some technical methods like the invasive sensors, radars, etc. (Huang & Zhu, 2019). Generally, the traditional data collection methods in traffic are associated with many errors; hence low accuracy compared to the modern methods. 

Optimization Requirements

 For performance optimization, there is a sense in which the manual data collection methods that heavily rely on human beings should be replaced by sensor-based technical methods (Huang & Zhu, 2019). This is because the counter who operate the manual survey methods are subject to stress, fatigue, biological needs, etc., reducing the attention span as the length of the survey increases (Huang & Zhu, 2019). Therefore, the sensor-based technical devices will overcome the challenges mentioned above, increasing the efficiency and accuracy of the data collection process. In the context of impacts, there is a sense in which the traditional; data collection methods comes along with various challenges due to a large number of staff required to maintain their operation(Zhang & Li, 2017). The labor-intensive nature of these methods cannot be effectively used to cover critical and secretive traffic events because criminals will always notice the presence of people physically guarding or operating the technical devices and tactfully maneuver their way through without being noticed. 

 Outline for Traditional Data Collection Methods

Traditional Methods of Data Collection in Transit System

• A Transit system refers to trains, buses, cars, motorcycles, etc., that run on fixed routes the public may travel
• The data collection methods in question include invasive techniques that use magnetic sensors, human surveyors in terrain, radars and image analysis through machine vision. 
• The human surveyors are the frequently used traditional method of collecting traffic information

Why are the traditional Methods Insufficient in Satisfying the Data Collection Requirements?

•            First, the traditional data collection methods do not conform to the simplicity requirement of data collection
• However, the traditional methods do not satisfy the simplicity requirements because they are pretty demanding in personnel and expertise
• For instance, the manual surveyor’s method requires organizers, supervisors, counters, quality controllers, etc., making it a somewhat complex process
• Secondly, a standard data collection method should display high accuracy in the results obtained.

Synopsis of the Case Study

•  The case study in question was about the traditional methods of data collection in the transit system

Optimization Requirements

•  For performance optimization, there is a sense in which the manual data collection methods that heavily rely on human beings should be replaced by sensor-based technical methods
• This is because the counter who operate the manual survey methods are subject to stress, fatigue, biological needs, etc., reducing the attention span as the length of the survey increases