DEVELOPMENT OF STATE TRAFFIC MONITORING STANDARDS: IMPLEMENTING "TRAFFIC MONITORING GUIDE" IN NEW MEXICO

A study of traffic monitoring practices was undertaken by the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department. The study reviewed current practice in relation to the Traffic Monitoring Guide, published by the FHWA. The study concluded that state traffic data requirements could best be met, and the Traffic Monitoring Guide could best be implemented, by developing statewide traffic monitoring standards. Standards were drafted, refined, and adopted. All traffic data are required to be in conformity with the state standards. The immediate benefit is standardization of traffic data. Data are equivalent and directly comparable, enhancing project selection and design. This process establishes the basis for testing and evaluating traffic monitoring statistics and procedures.