Enhancing Traffic Mobility: A Strategic Framework for Accurate Volume Estimation and Optimal Monitoring Network Design

Traffic volume data is an integral component of urban planning and transportation management, essential for informing data-driven decisions in critical areas such as resource allocation, congestion management, and infrastructure optimization. Accurate and reliable traffic volume estimations empower municipal planners and engineers to design efficient, inclusive mobility networks and promote sustainable urban development. This three-year project, in partnership with the Mobility Monitoring and Analysis team at the City of Edmonton, aims to develop a comprehensive framework that integrates traffic volume estimation, strategic traffic counter placement, and an advanced Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analytics and visualization platform. By maximizing the utility of existing data sources and leveraging innovative spatiotemporal analytics, the project addresses current limitations to further enhance safety, mobility, and equitable access across Edmonton's diverse road network. 

The project's outcomes include improved traffic volume estimations and strategically planned counters that will optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion, which in turn will lower greenhouse gas emissions, enhance productivity, and contribute to Canada's sustainability goals. Beyond Edmonton, the adaptable tools and methods developed can be implemented in other Canadian jurisdictions, facilitating transformative improvements in traffic management and urban planning nationwide, with substantial economic, environmental, and societal benefits for Canada and Canadians.