6 Traffic Counts and Classification Study Methods

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Vehicle counts and classification data provide traffic agencies with valuable information regarding the use and occupancy of roadways. Knowing how many vehicles are using roadways, and at which times, is vital to traffic planning and operations, such as signal timing. Classification data allows agencies to understand how vehicles are using the roadway, such as areas with heavy truck or bus traffic, and plan roadways based on the users. While there are various methods for collecting this data, they differ greatly in collection and accuracy. Here, a comparison of 6 different counts and classification data collection methods:

1. Manual Count

Manual traffic counts involve employees manually counting the volume of cars they see on the roadway. The count can occur onsite, with the counter watching the roadway in real-time, or offsite, with the counter watching a video recording. To record the data, tally sheets or mechanical counters may be used. When classification data is also being collected, instead of tallying the number of vehicles, counters may make tallies for the chosen classifications, and then use the totals to determine volume afterward. Manual counts often require 2 or more employees to collect data for each lane, and to increase accuracy.

Pros

  • Low processing costs for low-volume roadways
  • No installations required for onsite counting
  • Multiple simultaneous collections possible for data verification
  • No network or connectivity concerns, especially for rural areas

Cons

  • High manual labor time/costs
  • Safety concerns for counters
  • Inefficient for high-volume or multi-lane roadways
  • Limited vehicle classification
  • Human error impacts the accuracy
  • Lack of speed data

2. Pneumatic Tube

Pneumatic tubes are taped down on the surface of the roadway, perpendicular to traffic flow. When a vehicle drives over a pneumatic tube, a burst of air pressure is released and sent through the tube. The pressure burst closes an air switch, which sends an electrical signal to the counting software. The tubes are powered by batteries, lead-acid, or gel, making them easy to move between count sites. Pneumatic tubes are best for short-term counting and classification. To capture classification and speed data, a second tube is required to collect axle count and spacing. The tubes should be close enough together that different vehicles will not drive over them simultaneously. This method is one of the most commonly used counts and classification methods.

Pros

  • Well known and trusted
  • Cost-effective
  • Easy to deploy and retrieve
  • Many agencies and departments already have pneumatic tubes

Cons

  • Not ideal for roadways with high-volumes or slow-moving traffic
  • Cannot be placed where vehicles may park
  • Can be less effective in various weather conditions, such as rain
  • Safety concerns during deployment and retrieval
  • Quickly degrade and can be easily damaged

3. Inductive Loop Detectors

Inductive loop detectors are a ‘loop’ of insulated wire installed in the pavement. A detector unit passes an electric current through the loop wire, creating an electromagnetic field. When a conductive metal object moves through this field, a change in energy level occurs, decreasing the inductance of the loop. This increases the oscillation frequency and sends a pulse to the controller, marking the presence of a vehicle. While not all single loops can collect classification data, newer loops or a double loop can classify vehicles and collect speed data.

Pros

  • Well known and commonly used
  • Cost-effective, especially if pre-existing
  • Double loops can provide speed data
  • Work in all lighting and weather conditions

Cons

  • Can be damaged by water or street maintenance
  • Disruption of traffic and safety concerns during installation and maintenance
  • Improper installation or maintenance will lead to inaccurate data
  • May not be able to sufficiently classify low metal vehicles such as motorcycles

4. Video Image Detection (VID)

Video image detection (VID) systems use one or more cameras, a microprocessor-based computer, and software to capture and analyze video footage of a roadway. The cameras are able to differentiate and classify moving vehicles, and unlike manual count video footage, vehicle count and classification is analyzed and processed by the accompanying software. At night, vehicle counts are conducted using headlight detection, and classification data may not be possible depending on nearby lighting.

Pros

  • No manual labor time after installation
  • No disruption of traffic or safety concerns
  • More accurate data than previous methods
  • Better for high-volume or congested roadways than previous methods

Cons

  • Classification data may be limited or not possible at night
  • Adverse weather conditions may obscure video footage
  • More expensive than previous methods
  • Needs to be installed at an optimal location/height in order to view the road with no potential obstacles
  • Privacy concerns

5. Thermal Imaging Cameras

Like VID, when a vehicle or pedestrian enters a thermal camera detection zone, traffic data is automatically processed and collected based on dedicated algorithms. Thermal cameras detect heat signatures, allowing them to accurately detect vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles while measuring speed. Based on the heat signature, vehicles are detected and classified accordingly. Unlike VID, thermal imaging works best at night and in low-light conditions, such as when there is fog or when pedestrians are obscured by shadows.

Pros

  • No sensitivity to light interference, including darkness, shadow, or sun glare
  • No manual labor time after installation
  • No disruption of traffic or safety concerns
  • No privacy concerns since vehicles and pedestrians are not identifiable

Cons

  • More expensive than invasive methods
  • Need to be installed at an optimal location/height
  • No significant advantages over VID during regular daytime conditions

6. Radar Sensors

Radar technology is relatively new for traffic data, but it offers far more insight and accuracy than previous methods. There are two main types of radar: doppler and FMCW. Doppler radar sensors transmit microwave signals, and when there is vehicle motion, the frequency of the reflected signal changes, allowing sensors to detect the presence and speed of a vehicle. FMCW radars transmit a signal, and upon reception, measure differences in phase or frequency. Radar sensors are able to determine vehicle length and use that data to accurately classify vehicles. This allows radar sensors to offer more classes than the previous methods, including pedestrians and bikes.

Side-Firing vs Forward-Firing Radar

There are two primary traffic radar technologies: side-firing and forward-firing. Both use radar to detect the presence of moving vehicles on the road and are able to classify vehicles based on vehicle length measurements. Side-firing radar is installed at the side of the roadway, and sends a radar beam across the road, perpendicular to the traffic flow. While side-firing radars can collect count and classification data, dual beams are needed in order to collect speed data by creating a speed trap. Forward-firing radar can be installed at infrastructure along the roadway, as the radar beams in a forward direction. Multiple beams create a larger field of view, meaning objects stay in view for much longer. Companies like smartmicro, using forward firing beams, can detect up to 256 vehicles at once, in up to ten different lanes. One radar sensor can replace up to 32 loops, making them more efficient for data collection.

smartmicro forward firing

Pros Cons Both Radars -Work under all weather conditions
-No manual labor or safety concerns
-Lowest power consumption
-Highest count and classification accuracy -More expensive than in-road methods
-Less effective when vehicles are stopped
-Still relatively new compared to previous methods Side-Firing Radar -Ideal for use at intersection stop bars
-Highly effective for roadways without high volumes of congestion -Increased risk of obstruction in high-volume roadways
-More limited existing infrastructure for installation Forward-Firing Radar -Highest speed accuracy
-Larger field of view
-Easier to install since they are more compatible with existing infrastructure -Restriction in installation near large objects such as big signs, bridges, etc due to signal reflection.

While counts and classification data are available through a variety of methods, technological advances have created solutions that increase accuracy and reliability while eliminating concerns such as safety, traffic disruption, and damage to roadways or equipment. Radar data, has the highest accuracy and classification count and is the easiest to deploy and operate. While radar data is still relatively new, it offers the most in metrics and reliability.

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Thinking about leveling up your capabilities in measuring traffic count and classification? View radar options and use cases here.

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