Road Traffic Counters

Traffic counting methods can be basically categorized as manual and automatic methods. The manual counting is a simple yet accurate method for traffic counting. The manual counting can be done using either electronic counters or mechanical counters, or else it can be simple paperwork. There are several methods out there for automatic traffic counting. The following are some of the popular technologies/ sensors in the industry.

• Pneumatic Tube
• Inductive Loops
• Radar/ Microwave
• Video processing
• Magnetic Sensor
• Acoustic
• Infrared
• Weigh-in-Motion (WIM)
  • Bending Plates
  • Capacitive Stripes
  • Capacitive Mat
  • Piezo-electric Cable

Automatic Traffic Counters

Listed below are some popular automatic traffic counting products available on the market.

Product	Technology/ Sensor	Specification at a glance	Price
RoadPod® VT	Pneumatic tubes	Classification: Yes Memory: Up to 4 million axles Application: Permanent/ temporary traffic survey Remote Access: Yes, with FieldPod®
PicoCount	Pneumatic tubes	Classification: Yes Memory: approximately 20 million vehicles Application: Permanent/ temporary traffic survey Remote Access: No Small in size battery life of 10 years	$499.00
Black CAT Radar	Radar	Classification: Yes Memory: 2GB (upgradable to 4GB) Application: Permanent/ temporary traffic survey Remote Access: Yes Count | Speed | Length | Headway | Gap Speed Range 7 – 130mph Count Accuracy (98%, ignoring obscuration) Compatible with Catalyst Supports bi-directional traffic and two lanes same direction Operating time: Dependent upon battery options
Minuteman EVR	Pneumatic tubes	Classification: Yes Memory: 216,000 - 222,000 vehicles (2Mb) Application: Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: No Optimized for Busy Roads Sensitive Air Switches Congestion Algorithms Bicycle Monitoring CA Traffic Software Compatible
Armadillo Radar Traffic Counter	Radar	Classification: Yes Memory: 100,000 individual vehicles Application: Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: No	$3,595.00
SDR Traffic	Microwave	Classification: Yes Memory: 2GB Application: Permanent/ Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: No
Road Runner 3	Pneumatic tubes	Classification: Yes Memory: 512MB flash chip holds 120 million timestamps; approximately 25 million vehicles Application: Permanent/ Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: No Count up to 4 lanes - Classify up to 2 lanes The Road Runner 3 comes with an unparalleled eight (8) year Limited Warranty Power: Engineered Ten (10) year lithium long-life battery	$395.00
Golden River M400	Pneumatic tubes	Classification: Yes (up to 13 different vehicle types) Memory: Application: Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: No
Armadillo Crossfire Multi-lane Traffic Collector		Classification: Yes Memory: On-board memory to store 4+ months of data Application: Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: Planned Included VGA Camera
Microwave Traffic Counter/ Remote Traffic Microwave Sensor (RTMS)	Microwave	Classification: Yes Memory: 8MB Application: Permanent/ Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: Yes Provides presence indication and accurate measurements of volume, occupancy, speed and classification in up to 12 separate zones (lanes) up to 76 meters (250 feet) away Fully programmable to support multiple applications using simple intuitive software on a Notebook PC True-presence: detects stationary and fast moving vehicles; single or dual loop emulation Low life-cycle cost with no routine maintenance procedures and high reliability. Typical MTBF – 13 years Easy to calibrate by fast, automatic set-up wizard User upgradeable and expandable
Mini TRS Plus Traffic Counter and Classifier	Pneumatic tubes	Classification: Yes Memory: 2 GB standard, up to 16 GB, User-set memory rollover Application: Permanent/ Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: No FHWA 15-category classification or a user-set classification table Typically 45 days per charge; On/Off switch standard, Optional Solar Panel
SAS-1 Acoustic Traffic Counter	Acoustic Sensor	Classification: Yes Memory: Application: Remote Access:
(JAMAR) Black Cat Radar Recorder	Radar	Classification: Yes Memory: 2GB (approx. 200,000,000 vehicles) Application: Permanent/ Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: Yes Battery: 12 Volt Battery Charge Life: 6 Days Power Option: Optional Solar Panel
FlexMag	MicroRadar	Classification: Memory: Application: Remote Access: Yes No Battery Charging or Changing Required
SmartSensor HD	Radar	Classification: Yes Memory: Application: Permanent/ Temporary traffic survey Remote Access: Yes Presence data in 22 lanes Per-vehicle data: speed, length, class, lane assignment, range No battery replacement necessary

Manual Traffic Counters/ Classifiers

Listed below are some popular manual traffic counting products available on the market.

Product	Technology/ Sensor	Specification at a glance	Price
COUNTcam +COUNTpad + COUNTpro	Manual video processing	COUNTcam Mini is a portable video recording system that records 50 hours of traffic video on a single charge. It's easy to install (and even easier to transport). The most convenient and cost-effective way to collect traffic data. COUNTpro Software + COUNTpad2 is the industry leading traffic counting software. It allows you to count video from any recording device at up to 20x speeds. The user-friendly software enables users to speed up and slow down videos while counting. The pause buttons allows you to complete the count while taking breaks or even heading home for the evening, and resuming the next morning.
Scout Video Collection Unit	Count Scout video manually or upload to the Miovision Platform for superior data accuracy	Scout is the industry leading traffic counting device, built for reliable, unattended field operation for days at a time. It provides the optimal setup for a variety of traffic studies, and is easy and safe to setup and operate at the roadside. Capable of full classification including cars, trucks, pedestrians and cyclists.
hc8™ System	integrated system for manual traffic data collection	The keys of the hc8 logger can be freely programmed. By simply exchanging the keypad foil, the logger can be used for different surveys. It can store vehicles in over 4,000 intervals and accommodates most intersections, vehicle types and turning movements. An internal clock and positive keypad feedback through feel and sound supports the enumerator ideally in his work. The hc8 setup software installed on PC controls and documents all functions of the hc8 system. For analysis, reporting and data archiving for the different survey options and user defined surveys, the KNO-WIN and KNO-FLU software suites are available.

Reference

1. Traffic Data Collection and Analysis
2. Traffic Data Collection Improvements
3. “State-of-the-Art” Report on Non-Traditional Traffic Counting Methods