A study to show patterns of vehicle use in London area

This report summarises the work carried out to evaluate the pattern of traffic flows, in particular journeys made in private and commercial vehicles, on the road network in the London area. The purpose of the study was to produce information which could be used in the development of route guidance systems, such as AUTOGUIDE, for use in London. Use is made of existing data sources in obtaining the estimates of traffic levels. A comprehensive set of data was available from surveys carried out by the former Greater London Council. Further information was extracted from surveys commissioned by London Regional Transport and by the Department of Transport. To assess the repetitive nature of journeys, additional processing was carried out of diaries completed as part of a 7-day travel survey. A study area was defined which extended beyond the Greater London boundary up to and including the M25 Motorway. A road network description was produced which contained all roads of traffic importance inside this area. Results are given for 8 journey categories, according to type of vehicle, journey purpose and garage address. Four time periods have also been defined which in combination form a typical weekday. Estimates of vehicle kilometres are shown by road classification, and crowfly distance measurements are divided into journeys which enter, leave, pass through or are made wholly within the London area. Tables showing tee pattern of journeys by distance from the centre of London are included for the morning peak period. For the covering abstract of supplementary report see IRRD 820246.