Traffic
Volume Maps:
These maps, created by the Public Works Department, show what traffic volumes are for certain intersections or segments of roadways in Overland Park.
Acrobat PDF files:
How to read these maps:
Each map usually will contain data for two years. Each year is presented in a different color. For example, the 2005–06 map shows the 2005 data in red and the 2006 data in blue.
Usually, the city counts all four legs of an intersection and traffic volumes are recorded going in each direction. The maps will only show the two-way total per leg. For example, on the north leg of 103rd and Metcalf in 2006 there was a total of 44,200 vehicles per day (vpd) traveling either north or south. There were probably 22,100 vehicles traveling south and 22,100 traveling north at that particular location throughout the day.
Occasionally, we record the number of vehicles traveling just one direction (toward an intersection). This is done when we are evaluating the need for a new traffic signal.
If you see a number on the map with a small arrow next to it, that number will be the actual number of vehicles that approached the intersection (as opposed to counting both those that approach and depart the intersection).
24-hour traffic volume raw data:
Interactive Traffic Volume Data Map - will take you to the "Overland Park Average Daily Traffic Volume" database and map view. You can view traffic volume information at any location within the City through the mapping and layer features. The data is updated as soon as it is processed from the counters. You can select from the following layers from the map view:
- Directional Traffic Volumes (one direction)
- Intersection Leg Traffic Volumes (total of both directions)
- Total Entering Traffic Volumes (intersection)
After making the selection, you will see the raw report data. Depending on what layer you select, the report will look different.
How to read the raw 24-hour data:
- Directional Traffic Volumes (one direction): The heading of the data indicates the location where the count was taken. It consists of a site identification number and the intersecting streets, (e.g. Nall, n/o 103rd). This indicates that the count was taken on Nall Avenue, north of 103rd Street. The heading also includes the date the count was initiated and when the count ended as well as the direction of traffic, (e.g. NORTH for northbound). Also in the heading is the average daily traffic (ADT) for the particular direction. This number is the average of the individual daily traffic totals rounded to the nearest one hundred vehicles. The "% Change" and the "Cumulative % Change" column are the percent change from the previous traffic count and the total cumulative percent change from previous counts, respectively. These columns will show the percentages as new counts are added to the database.
You can click on the "Show Details" link in the last column of the table to see the detail count information. The data is recorded every fifteen minutes and is tabulated by day and time. The data is shown in two columns representing the a.m. and p.m. time periods. The data is recorded daily, but there is sometimes a column for the weekday average count.
The report will also show the hour the highest numbers of vehicles were recorded (e.g. the a.m. peak or p.m. peak hour), and the respective volume.
- Intersection Leg Traffic Volumes (total of both directions): includes the same basic information in the heading as indicated above. The only difference is that the ADT volume is the total volume approaching and departing the intersection on any particular leg of the intersection. This volume represents vehicles in both directions.
- Total Entering Traffic Volumes (intersection): includes the total traffic in all directions that enter the intersection. You will see a diagram in the table under the "Direction" column. The arrows represent the travel directions that have been added together to comprise the total ADT volume shown in the adjacent column. There may be times when the traffic count did not include all directions of travel. If this is the case, the total ADT in the intersection would only be the total of the counts from the directions recorded. This will be reflected by the arrows displayed under the "Direction" column. Arrows would only be displayed for the travel directions that were recorded. The report also includes the same heading information as the other reports.
How the data is collected:
A rubber hose-like counter is placed across a street. Each vehicle that passes over this tube is counted and recorded in a small box at the side of the road. Readings are typically taken over a three-day period during the middle of the week. They are averaged into a single average daily traffic (ADT) volume.
Counts are not normally taken during unusual traffic conditions such as near holidays or during winter months, since weather can be unpredictable.
Since traffic is counted throughout the spring, summer and fall, there can be some seasonal variation to the numbers. However, the intent of these maps is to give a general idea of traffic levels over time.
For more information:
The city has traffic volume maps that date back to 1975. If you are interested in these or additional data or have other questions about our count maps, please contact the Public Works Department at 913/895-6040 or e-mail pwengineer@opkansas.org.
Visit the Kansas Dept. of Transportation (KDOT) Web site for additional traffic volume maps.