Road Traffic Counts
Quantify traffic to act on road infrastructure
Counting road traffic allows for effective planning and management of infrastructure, improved safety, and optimized traffic flow.
Counts are the foundation of any traffic study, whether before a project, during construction phases, or after completion for mobility policy evaluation.
Section counts quantify traffic in each direction, classify vehicles, and measure speed and vehicle spacing.
The frequency and duration of the count are adjustable, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, to obtain reliable and representative measurements
(hourly and daily averages, peak days and times, analysis of specific periods: weekends, holidays…).
The result report delivered to the client is in Excel format or accessible via our MyGIS mapping platform.
Automatic Counts
Automatic road traffic counts use technologies such as pneumatic tubes, inductive loops, cameras (link to sensors page), and radars to continuously measure and record traffic volume and type. These systems collect precise real-time data without human intervention, streamlining traffic management and analysis.
ALYCE has a large equipment fleet composed of these different sensors and implements the most suitable method depending on the study context and the type of measurement expected by the client.
Tubes and cameras are generally the most used methods. Tubes are robust and widely used technology that efficiently covers standard cases (car/truck distinction over a week). Cameras are non-intrusive, allow for more detailed classification, and adapt to even the most constrained environments (e.g., highways).
Video processing is performed with the minUi software, a mobility-specific analysis tool (link to minUi page) developed by ALYCE and used daily by our field teams.
References
Communauté de communes des portes briardes
Road traffic count as part of the RER Vélo project. 27 automatic counters over 7 days.
Région occitanie
Automatic counts at level crossings on the Montréjeau-Luchon line. 37 camera points over 14 days. Categories: Cars, Trucks, Exceptional Transports, Motorbikes, Bicycles, Pedestrians + Speed Measurement.
collectivité de st barthélémy
Section counts in Saint Barthélémy. 14 automatic points over 9 days. Categories: Cars/Trucks.
Manual Counts
Manual traffic counting involves surveyors positioned at roadways to record vehicle numbers and types passing a given point. This can be done using paper forms, tablets, or other data entry tools and is often used for short-term studies or when automatic classification (e.g., for tarp trucks, trailers, RVs) is not feasible.
ALYCE’s experienced supervisors are well-equipped to recruit and manage teams of surveyors in the field, regardless of the study’s complexity.
Automatic directional counts
Automatic directional counts can be performed with ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras or through image analysis using ground-mounted or drone-embedded cameras.
This requires secure equipment deployment in the field to obtain measurable data. ANPR cameras, placed at strategic points, capture license plates and directions, which are matched at entry and exit points to reconstruct intersection movements.
For more classic cameras, whether ground-based or drone-mounted, videos are processed using minUi to directly determine directional flows based on object trajectories and vehicle typologies.
ALYCE’s field experts conduct over 200 directional counts per year using these methods.
References
Rennes Métropole
Origin-Destination directional counts by drone at 6 locations
aprr
Cordon survey using ANPR cameras, A6 – Villabé (91), 31 locations over 3 days.
Grand Paris Sud Aménagement
Directional counts in Viry-Châtillon (91). ANPR cameras over 3 days at 7 locations. Measures: Cars/Trucks.
Manual directional counts
Traditional directional counting is done with surveyors who count by sight or record license plates using audio recorders. The data is later processed by analysts to reconstruct intersection flows.
This method requires strict organization and coordination to ensure accurate and reliable data collection — a process ALYCE’s field experts are fully accustomed to.
Automatic Counting via Video Analysis
Automatic video-based counting for specific cases like hazardous material transport or level crossings uses AI to analyze TMD label characters, vehicle types, or license plates.
At level crossings, AI processes videos to identify vehicles, directions, and behaviors when approaching or crossing the intersection.
Semi-supervised Counting
Semi-supervised video counting combines AI video analysis with human oversight for safety-focused studies or custom classifications.
How it works: strategically placed cameras record video. minUi analyzes the footage to detect/classify specific vehicles (e.g., exceptional convoys, agricultural vehicles, motorcycle taxis) and risky behavior (e.g., dangerous overtaking, running red lights).
A traffic analyst supervises the process, verifies AI outputs, and makes adjustments as needed.
This method provides detailed and reliable insights for road safety improvements and better infrastructure planning.
References
Road Safety Study
Counting users with/without helmets, use of distractors, number of people per vehicle… Project awarded under ONISR for road safety studies.
Shared Lanes: Behavioral Analysis
Analysis of behaviors (overtaking, mode-specific) on shared bike lanes (chaucidou) in Calvados.
Counting Informal Traffic in Benin
One-off data collection campaign for 10 vehicle classes: counting, trajectories… for intersection planning studies.
Our team is here for you
Olivier
Production Director
Experienced in all field data collection methods, he oversees all production activities and client relations up to the delivery of results.