The annualized average 24-hour volume of vehicles at a given point or section of highway. It is normally calculated by determining the volume of vehicles during a given period, and dividing that number by the number of days in that period. Also known as a "Traffic Count".

How we obtain Traffic Counts:

Automatic Traffic Recorder (ATRs):
The ATRs collect data 24 hours a day, 365 days annually, for each lane. The equipment records traffic volumes, speed and classification of vehicles.  MPD uses this data to develop seasonal factors, daily factors, axle factors and estimate vehicle miles of travel (VMT).  These factors are applied to all coverage counts.

Coverage counts:
Coverage counts are needed to ensure that adequate geographic coverage exists for all roads under the jurisdiction of the State highway authority. In simple terms, "coverage counts" are data collection efforts that are undertaken to ensure that "at least some" data exist for all roads maintained by the agency.

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