Traffic-Related Data

Traffic-related data collected by the Boston Transportation Department, as well as other City departments and State agencies. Various types of counts: Turning Movement Counts, Automated Traffic Recordings, Pedestrian Counts, Delay Studies, and Gap Studies.

~Turning Movement Counts (TMC) present the number of motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists passing through the particular intersection. Specific movements and crossings are recorded for all street approaches involved with the intersection. This data is used in traffic signal retiming programs and for signal requests. Counts are typically conducted for 2-, 4-, 11-, and 12-Hr periods.

~Automated Traffic Recordings (ATR) record the volume of motor vehicles traveling along a particular road, measures of travel speeds, and approximations of the class of the vehicles (motorcycle, 2-axle, large box truck, bus, etc). This type of count is conducted only along a street link/corridor, to gather data between two intersections or points of interest. This data is used in travel studies, as well as to review concerns about street use, speeding, and capacity. Counts are typically conducted for 12- & 24-Hr periods.

~Pedestrian Counts (PED) record the volume of individual persons crossing a given street, whether at an existing intersection or a mid-block crossing. This data is used to review concerns about crossing safety, as well as for access analysis for points of interest. Counts are typically conducted for 2-, 4-, 11-, and 12-Hr periods.

~Delay Studies (DEL) measure the delay experienced by motor vehicles due to the effects of congestion. Counts are typically conducted for a 1-Hr period at a given intersection or point of intersecting vehicular traffic.

~Gap Studies (GAP) record the number of gaps which are typically present between groups of vehicles traveling through an intersection or past a point on a street. This data is used to assess opportunities for pedestrians to cross the street and for analyses on vehicular “platooning”. Counts are typically conducted for a specific 1-Hr period at a single point of crossing.