A Review of Statewide Traffic Data Collection, Processing, Projection and Quality Control

Three of the most essential metrics of highway system operation are the volume, composition and weight of traffic using the roadway and street network. This chapter identifies appropriate measures to ensure that high-quality traffic data are collected, processed, analyzed and reported in an optimal and cost-effective way by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). This is achieved through an in-depth review of the Department's current procedures, including interviews with individuals, both inside and outside of the agency. To improve the results of applications of traffic data, the NMDOT foresees a need to: identify inefficiencies, inaccuracies and redundancies in the department's current practices of data collection, analysis, and forecasting and develop justifiable recommendations for enhancing data collection, quality control and data use. With respect to reliability, planning reports that the traffic volume counts are adjusted to annual average daily traffic (AADT) using computed daily and seasonal factors.