Title
The Minnesota Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting Initiative: Implementation Study
Publisher
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Abstract
The Minnesota Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting Initiative: Implementation Study reports results from the second in
a series of three MnDOT projects to foster non-motorized traffic monitoring. The objectives were to install and
validate permanent automated sensors, use portable sensors for short duration counts, develop models for
extrapolating counts, and integrate continuous counts into MnDOT traffic monitoring databases. Commercially
available sensors, including inductive loops, integrated inductive loops and passive infrared, pneumatic tubes, and
radio beams, were installed both as permanent monitor sites and used for short-duration counts at a variety of
locations in cities, suburbs, and small towns across Minnesota. All sensors tested in the study produced reasonably
accurate measures of bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Most sensors undercounted because of their inability to
distinguish and count bicyclists or pedestrians passing simultaneously. Accuracy varied with technology, care and
configuration of deployment, maintenance, and analytic methods. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic volumes varied
greatly across locations, with highest volumes being on multiuse trails in urban areas. FHWA protocols were used
to estimate annual average daily traffic and miles traveled on an 80-mile multiuse trail network in Minneapolis.
Project findings were incorporated in a new MnDOT guidance document, “DRAFT Bicycle and Pedestrian Data
Collection Manual” used in statewide training workshops. A major challenge in implementing bicycle and
pedestrian traffic monitoring is data management. Years will be required to institutionalize bicycle and pedestrian
traffic successfully.
Suggested Citation
Lindsey, Greg; Petesch, Michael; Hankey, Steve.
(2015).
The Minnesota Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting Initiative: Implementation Study.
Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy,
https://hdl.handle.net/11299/174395.