Traffic Volume by Street: Why Location Specific Data Matters

Imagine if city planners knew exactly how many vehicles traveled down every street each day – and even in which direction. This kind of street-specific traffic data was once difficult to get, but today “traffic volume by street” information is within reach for any community.

Having detailed vehicle counts for each road might sound granular, but it’s incredibly valuable. In this article, we’ll explore what street-level traffic volume data is, why location-specific data matters for transportation planning, and how Urban SDK’s Traffic Volume Data makes it easy to leverage these insights.

What Is Traffic Volume by Street Data?

“Traffic volume by street” refers to the number of vehicles that pass along a specific road or street segment over a given period. It can be measured in different ways – for example:

• Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT): The average number of vehicles per day on a street over a year.
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• Hourly Counts: Traffic patterns broken down by time of day.

Street-level data can also include directional flow, showing how many cars go eastbound versus westbound on the same street. This provides a much more accurate picture of how traffic moves block by block.

Traditionally, gathering this information required installing tube counters or sending staff to manually count cars—usually limited to a few major roads. Local neighborhood streets often went unmeasured except during special studies.

Now, modern analytics platforms have changed the game. Urban SDK’s Traffic Volume Data uses connected vehicle telemetry and other sensors to estimate counts on virtually every road automatically. Agencies can access up-to-date traffic volumes for any street—without waiting for field studies.

Better yet, Urban SDK allows agencies to combine traffic counts with Road Characteristics Data (e.g., lane count, speed limits, bike lanes). This context helps planners understand not just traffic volumes, but whether a street is over capacity or needs design improvements.

Why Location Specific Traffic Data Matters

Every street tells a different story. Two parallel roads in the same city can have drastically different traffic patterns. Location-specific traffic data reveals insights that citywide averages often miss.

Here are key benefits of street-level traffic counts:

Targeted Congestion Management

Street-level volumes highlight exactly where congestion is worst. Planners can identify specific intersections or corridors that consistently carry high traffic. For example, if a neighborhood shortcut carries unexpected volumes, the city can adjust signal timing or add turn lanes to ease the pressure.

Improved Traffic Safety

High traffic volumes combined with certain road conditions increase crash risk. With street-by-street counts, agencies can prioritize safety improvements like crosswalks, signage, or enforcement in the areas that need them most. For instance, a street near a school with heavy morning traffic in one direction may justify additional crossing guards or speed enforcement.

Resource Allocation & Efficiency

Detailed counts allow cities to deploy resources smarter. Instead of guessing or reacting to complaints, officials know exactly where to place speed trailers, repaint lane markings, or invest in traffic calming. Urban SDK customers often note how digital data reduces manual fieldwork, enabling staff to answer community questions with real numbers in minutes.

Holistic Planning and Modeling

With comprehensive traffic data, planners can model how traffic disperses through local streets if a main road is congested or how a new development might affect nearby roads. Street-level data also supports equity and environmental analyses—for example, identifying residential streets suffering from cut-through traffic and related pollution.

Directional Flow Insights

Many roads have a “peak direction”—inbound traffic in the morning, outbound in the evening. By analyzing directional volumes, agencies can optimize signal timing, evaluate reversible lanes, or add dedicated turn signals. Directional data ensures both sides of a road are considered, leading to more precise traffic management.

‍Modern Tools for Street-Level Traffic Counts

Street-by-street traffic data no longer requires hiring crews to place counters everywhere. Urban SDK continuously collects and estimates traffic volumes using connected vehicle data (GPS signals from smartphones and cars)

Key features of Urban SDK’s platform include:

• Heatmaps: Visualize traffic volume by street, with busier corridors glowing red and quieter streets green.
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• On-Demand Metrics: Click any street segment to see AADT, average hourly volumes, or Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
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• Filtering Tools: Isolate rush hour, weekends, or specific time windows for more precise analysis.
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• Directional Charts: Break down northbound vs. southbound (or east vs. west) counts hour by hour, showing clear peak direction flows.

These visualizations not only improve analysis but also communication. Clear charts and maps make it easier to explain traffic conditions to residents, stakeholders, and decision-makers—and justify investments with hard data.

Turning Data into Action: Better Streets for Everyone

The true value of street-level traffic data lies in actionable insights. With block-by-block visibility, city leaders and transportation agencies can be proactive rather than reactive.

• Prioritize investments on the busiest or riskiest streets
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• Measure the impact of roadway changes before and after implementation
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• Address speeding and congestion issues with targeted strategies

More than 200 cities across North America already use Urban SDK to harness these insights. By embracing location-specific data, communities are making streets safer, more efficient, and more livable.

Ready to harness street-level traffic insights for your community? Explore Urban SDK’s Traffic Volume Data or schedule a personalized demo today to see how our platform can help you transform traffic management—one street at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the traffic volume by street?
A: It refers to the number of vehicles traveling on a specific road or segment. For example, if 8,000 cars drive on Maple Avenue daily, that’s its traffic volume.

Q: Why is street traffic data important?
A: It provides detailed insights into local conditions, showing which roads have the heaviest usage, at what times, and in which direction. This helps address congestion, safety risks, and resource allocation more effectively.

Q: How can I obtain vehicle volume by street direction data?
A: Traditionally, it required installing counters or manual counts. Today, Urban SDK’s Traffic Volume Data provides estimated directional volumes using connected vehicle data—giving agencies quick access to street-level insights without extensive fieldwork.

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