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Cube Analyst

Statistically-optimized matrix estimation

One of the most valuble pieces of data in travel demand forecasting is the trip table representing existing travel. It is the basis for forecasting and for almost all important comparative analyses.

Cube Analyst Methodology

Cube Analyst is the Cube functional library developed specifically for estimating and updating base year automobile, truck and public transit trip matrices. Cube Analyst enables the user to exploit a wide variety of data that contribute to matrix updating and matrix development. Cube Analyst has been used successfully on many varied studies around the world.

 

Excellent results with limited data

Cube Analyst uses mathematical techniques to find trip tables that are consistent with observed transport demand and count data. Typical data provided to Cube Analyst:
 
  • Trip end data, such as a survey at a shopping center
  • Traffic counts, organized into screen- and cut-lines
  • Movement or path data identifying the routes used by travelers developed by Cube Voyager, TP+ or TRIPS
In addition, and a key element in Cube Analyst, the user provides quality weights. These provide tolerance bands to each of the individual or groups of data observations. Cube Analyst uses maximum likelihood statitstical techniques to estimate the cell values for the matrix. These values are those that fit the best with the observations and their quality weights. 
 

Key advantages of Cube Analyst

Exploits a wide range of low cost, readily available data:

  • Existing trip matrices, either from surveys or from travel demand models
  • Flow counts from all types of counting devices
  • Trip end data from parking surveys
  • Public transit data from boarding and alighting surveys
  • Partial trip data from license plate and other cordon surveys
  • Electronic ticket data

Rigorous Methodology 

  • Cube Analyst uses the maximum likelihood statistical method
  • A powerful optimizer allows individual cells to be estimated with precision
  • The calculation is self-calibrating

Integral Quality Assurance

  • Extensive reporting options
  • Effects and implications on the estimated matrix of different input data may be studied
  • Specialist tools indicate the quality of the estimated matrix
  • Quality analysis of estimated matrix guides data collection efforts

Many useful contexts

  • Traffic impact analysis
  • Regional travel forecasting
  • Fratar approaches
  • Truck matrices

Integration with the rest of Cube

Cube Analyst is compatible with all Cube products including Cube Voyager and Cube Cargo. Cube Analyst also functions with TRIPS and with TP+ (automobile and truck matrices only). Cube Voyager, TP+ or TRIPS provide tools for preparing O-D data and handle any manipulation and modification needed for O-D and cost matrices. The highway assignment and public transit functions in these functional libraries are used to calculate cost matrices which are input to the estimation process. Cube Base provides the tools for managing the estimation process and for assessing results.