Unlock the Power of Traffic Data with Turning Movement Counts and Video Analysis

Introduction

Traffic video analysis is a method of collecting data on traffic patterns and behavior. It is used to identify areas of congestion, improve safety, and optimize the flow of traffic.?Turning Movement Count, Traffic Video Analysis?movement counts (TMCs) are one type of traffic video analysis that is commonly used by transportation engineers and planners. In this blog post, we will discuss what TMCs are, how they are used, the benefits and drawbacks of using them, and some examples of successful TMC projects.

What Are Turning Movement Counts?

Turning movement counts (TMCs) are a type of traffic video analysis that is used to measure the number of vehicles turning at an intersection or roadway segment. This data can be used to identify trends in traffic patterns, analyze the effectiveness of traffic control measures, and evaluate the performance of intersections. TMCs are typically conducted over a period of several hours or days to capture a comprehensive picture of the traffic flow.

Benefits Of Turning Movement Counts

TMCs provide valuable information about traffic patterns that can be used to make informed decisions about how to improve safety and efficiency at an intersection or roadway segment. TMCs can also be used to measure the effectiveness of existing traffic control measures such as stop signs, yield signs, and signal timing. By analyzing the data collected from TMCs, engineers and planners can identify areas where additional measures may be needed to improve safety or reduce congestion. Additionally, TMCs can be used to evaluate the performance of intersections over time so that any necessary changes can be made in a timely manner.

Pros And Cons Of Turning Movement Counts

The primary benefit of using TMCs is that they provide detailed information about traffic patterns that can be used to inform decisions about how to improve safety and efficiency at an intersection or roadway segment. However, there are some drawbacks to using TMCs as well. For example, TMCs require a significant amount of time and resources to conduct, which can be costly for municipalities or other organizations. Additionally, TMCs may not capture all types of vehicles such as bicycles or pedestrians, which could lead to inaccurate results if these types of vehicles are present at the intersection or roadway segment being studied.

Examples Of Successful Turning Movement Count Projects

One example of a successful TMC project is the City of Portland’s Traffic Signal Optimization Project. The project utilized TMC data collected from multiple intersections throughout the city to identify areas where signal timing could be improved in order to reduce congestion and improve safety. As a result of this project, travel times were reduced by up to 20% in some areas and overall travel delays were reduced by up to 30%.

Another example is the City of San Francisco’s Traffic Management System Upgrade Project. This project utilized TMC data collected from various intersections throughout the city in order to identify areas where signal timing could be improved in order to reduce congestion and improve safety. As a result of this project, travel times were reduced by up to 20% in some areas and overall travel delays were reduced by up to 30%.

Conclusion

Turning movement counts (TMCs) are an important tool for transportation engineers and planners that can provide valuable information about traffic patterns that can be used to make informed decisions about how to improve safety and efficiency at an intersection or roadway segment. While there are some drawbacks associated with using TMCs such as cost and potential inaccuracies due to not capturing all types of vehicles, they have been successfully implemented in numerous projects around the world with great success.