DVRPC maintains a multimodal Travel Monitoring program deployed across the region. The program provides thousands of counts per year. Travel monitoring data is used to develop policies and regulations and inform design decisions about transportation infrastructure.
Travel Monitoring Data Viewer
DVRPC uploads travel monitoring data on a weekly basis. Visit this web map to see the different types of counts we collect across the region. Historical data is available.
Explore the Data
Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts
DVRPC counts bicycles and pedestrians. Data helps us understand and plan for different users across the transportation network. The counting program allows planners to measure existing levels of bicycling and walking, monitor travel trends, plan for new or improved facilities and measure outcomes related to finished transportation projects.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Counts Program
How We Take Counts
DVRPC employs different devices and technology to take counts on transportation facilities. Most often, we use an Automatic Traffic Recorder (ATR), which usually consists of a small box with rubber pneumatic tubes laid across the roadway or bike path. For pedestrian counts, we use a box placed at hip level on a pole facing pedestrian traffic using infrared beams. All of our equipment is clearly labeled as belonging to DVRPC.
Watch on YouTubeCount Data
There are various types of data that can be collected or derived from the count. These are the six types of data we collect:
- Volume: Total volume on a segment of roadway in either an hourly or 15 minute interval. This can be directional and typically has a duration of 48 hours to 8 days. This can be reported as total volume of vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians.
- Class: Transportation professionals classify roadways into 13 functional classification categories. Functional classifications include interstates, principal arterials, minor arterials, collectors, and local roads, among others.
- Speed: The approximate speed of passing vehicles can be determined, displaying volumes by speed starting at 15 mph and increasing by 10 mph, with an average speed calculated.
- Manual Class: This is a special classification count that adds three more vehicle types to the schema: splitting “buses” into “Buses” and “School Buses” and adding an extra class of heavy articulated truck. This count is conducted on sight by a technician and is performed over a six hour span, either 6 am - 12 pm or 12 pm - 6 pm.
- Turning Movement: Total traffic volume through an intersection that counts traffic through each turn and movement (through, left, right) for each leg of an intersection.
- Annual Average Daily Volume: An estimate of average daily volume for a location for that year it was measured. (also, this can be grouped with the other definitions.
Why Does DVRPC Conduct Traffic Counts?
We perform traffic counts for several reasons:
- PennDOT contracts with DVRPC to perform annual counts in PennDOT’s District 6 (southeastern Pennsylvania).
- DVPRC conducts project counts for District 6 that are not part of the annual PennDOT request.
- DVRPC conducts counts to help calibrate and maintain the travel demand model and for a 5 year travel trends report.
- DVRPC conducts project counts for DVRPC project managers as they are needed.