Automatic Traffic Counter Systems: What They Are And Why Our Society Needs Them

January 14, 2021 | Posted at 5:32 pm | by Aqib (Follow User)

What is an automatic traffic counter system?

A traffic count is a vehicle or pedestrian traffic count that is carried out along a given lane, route, or intersection. A traffic count is typically done either remotely (with a temporary or permanent electronic traffic recording system being installed) or individually by observers who manually count and record traffic on a portable electronic device or tally board. 

Automatic traffic counters are a distinct, nonintrusive, and reliable way of gathering precise traffic flow information. On busy highways, automated systems can produce results as effectively as on the cleanest lane. And you can not only achieve precision and save working hours by opting to optimize your traffic surveyor processes, but you can also make use of any number of additional functionality.

 

Why choose an automatic traffic counter?

Traffic counter has a range of realistic applications. This can differ from data collection to monitoring and aid scheduling, to study of obstacles, wear, or projected life expectancies of highway parts. 

The value of an automated scheme is that monitoring or management needs nothing in the way. These are smart transport systems that can be mounted once and then abandoned for days or even weeks afterward. The system can collect traffic data 24 hours a day during this period, without the need for extra supervision. 

To help decision-making processes, councils and local authorities, construction firms, and even private citizens depend on traffic counters.

 

Key features and additional functionality

Several possible functions, as detailed below, are also offered by advanced systems.

 

1. Accurate and Consistent results

An automatic traffic counter is the only feasible option when reliability is crucial. The most accurate methods of gathering vehicle and traffic flow data are automatic counters. 

Conducting a subjective survey would mean losing some degree of accuracy in areas with high volume traffic. Yet, regardless of the frequency or amount of traffic, an automatic counter works just as well.

 

2. Savings and Efficiency

Equally, when carried out on smoother sections of the lane, a manual count becomes excessively costly. An automated device can be mounted once in low-traffic areas, and then left unsupervised for the remainder of the analysis. Accordingly, automation helps organizations and agencies to distribute their available capital more effectively.

 

3. Improved safety and all-weather performance

For any organization conducting road traffic assessments, safety is a key consideration. Automatic counters lower the number of roadside staff needed and reduce accidents and injuries. During extreme weather conditions, safety risks improve. But even though the staff is in a security position, bad situations may have a detrimental effect on outcomes: reducing transparency and influencing the reliability of a manual count.

 

4. Speed assessments

Advanced methods for traffic counting can measure individual vehicle speeds. For a variety of purposes, a device that is used to compile traffic speed data may be implemented. It may provide data that helps to determine how a road is being used.

 

Takeaways?

Many businesses are benefiting from the use of traffic counting systems. Be it transport, banking, or the government, by measuring the number of people walking in and out of the building, any establishment can be run in a more streamlined manner. Although many companies can find useful counters, their use is often related to retail.