Continuous Traffic Data
ATC Surveys are one of the many types of data collection methods we use at Paul Castle Associates. Our experienced data-capturing agents have the equipment and expertise required to ensure your data is reliable and high quality.
For our Automatic Traffic Counter (ATC) surveys, we use roadside sensors to collect continuous traffic data over a set period; this could range from a few days to several weeks.
The most common type of ATC uses pneumatic road tubes, but other technologies include inductive loops, radar, and magnetic sensors, depending on the road type and data requirements.
Benefits of ATC Surveys
With all the available data collection tools and types available, it can be difficult to know which is best for your application. Here are some of the benefits of ATC Surveys from Paul Castle Associates.
Continuous Data Collection – Once installed, ATCs run 24/7, collecting comprehensive data across all hours and days of the week, capturing peak and off-peak patterns.
Multi-metric Data – ATCs can record vehicle volume, speed, classification (e.g., cars, HGVs, cycles), and direction, providing rich datasets for detailed analysis.
Cost-Effective – Compared to manual data collection methods, ATC surveys are relatively lower, especially for long-term data collection.
Minimal Disruption – The equipment used for ATC Surveys is compact and unobtrusive, causing minimal disruption to traffic during installation and operation.
ATC Survey Example Applications
ATC surveys are highly versatile. Here are some of the most common applications:
Traffic Volume – ATC surveys are used on urban streets and residential roads to monitor traffic volumes, especially where there are concerns about issues such as speed compliance
Road usage – ATC surveys can give insights into the usage levels of rural or B roads that are often less monitored. They are great for supporting planning applications.
Traffic Flow – They can be used to monitor traffic flow on a range of roads of different sizes, which can result in infrastructure upgrades.
Safety – ATC surveys are used in school zones and community areas to identify speed compliance issues and evaluate the need for traffic calming.
Construction sites or development access points – ATC surveys can be used to assess baseline conditions before and after a project is implemented.
ATC Surveys from Paul Castle Associates
For more information on ATC Surveys and how we can help you, contact our team today.
