Traffic Count Stations

Public Works maintains 39 permanent count stations around the County to automatically record how much traffic travels on the road system. 

Reports of daily traffic counts are listed below and can be read on-line or downloaded to your computer *. We have included traffic counts from station locations on State Highways SR 16, SR 3, and SR 104 (selected state routes).

Permanent Count Station Map

Comparison:  Average Annual Daily Traffic from 2000-2004

* Map and Files are AdobeŽAcrobat PDF format. The Adobe Reader software needs to be installed on your computer. Use the link to Adobe's website (to the right - yellow logo) to obtain the free software.

Every motor vehicle that passes over a permanent count station's electromagnetic loops is tallied and added to the day's total count. At some locations, the vehicle is classified as to type, such as automobile or tractor-trailer rig. The count stations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the daily counts are downloaded into the County's database every other week so a historical record can be compiled. This record is summarized into quarterly reports, with a final annual report after each year is complete.

In addition to the data from the permanent count stations, data from one-day counts using portable hose count equipment is compiled from 60 locations around the county. With the use of this equipment and permanent devices, traffic effects on the 928 miles of county road are identifiable and manageable.

Maintaining traffic records can reveal to Planners what traffic is really like out there, so the effects of development can be studied and good long-range decisions can be made regarding development proposals. Also, seasonal trends can be discerned from the traffic count record, plus, traffic volume peaks and valleys appear at different times of the day. These peak traffic volumes can be very helpful in setting traffic signal timing and allowing traffic to flow most efficiently at intersections.

In accordance with the Growth Management Act, traffic volume effects associated with 20 years of growth can be predicted more accurately based on the real baseline derived from permanent count stations. Predicting where traffic volumes will increase as a result of population and employment growth is required in order to keep the County roadway system concurrent with the demand for capacity. Thus, long-range roadway capacity projects can be identified and constructed to keep pace with traffic growth.

More information on this subject:  Traffic Concurrency
 

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us