What is the term for the difference between the actual travel time on a given segment and an ideal travel time?

The difference between the actual travel time on a given segment and an ideal travel time is referred to as "Delay." This term characterizes the additional time that drivers experience due to various factors such as traffic congestion, road conditions, and signal timing. Delay is a critical concept in transportation engineering as it influences traffic flow, road network efficiency, and overall vehicular performance. Understanding and quantifying delay helps engineers design better transportation systems to minimize travel times and improve traffic conditions.

In contrast, raveling, longitudinal cracking, and transverse cracking are terms related to pavement distress and deterioration. Raveling refers to the wear and loss of aggregate particles from the surface of asphalt pavements, while longitudinal and transverse cracking describe specific types of cracks that can develop in pavement due to various stresses and environmental conditions. These terms are related to the physical condition of the road surface rather than travel time differences.