NYSDOT Anticipated Traffic Counter Camera Locations in Yorktown

The New York State Department of Transportation is mandated to collect traffic count data every 3rd year on 25% of roads in New York State. This data must be reported to the Federal Highway Administration for state funding purposes. This year the NYSDOT has transitioned to using cameras to collect the required data, which is typically highly accurate for volume and classification. 

The following locations are anticipated to have traffic counters from Monday, October 12th to Friday, October 16th. 

Traffic Count Camera FAQs:

What are these devices?

The devices are low-resolution cameras affixed to a pole and may include a built-in battery or a tethered battery. They count and classify vehicles traveling on public roadways for federally-mandated highway purposes.

What information is collected by the traffic counting camera?

The cameras count vehicle volumes and determine vehicle classifications like car, pickup, bus, semi-truck.
Are driver faces, license plates or other specific images or data captured?
No. Faces, license plate numbers or other details cannot be observed because of the low resolution of these cameras.

Who installed the traffic counting camera?

NYSDOT contracts with several vendors to count traffic. Each vendor is required to put a sticker on the device to identifying the company by name and contact number.

Why are the traffic counting cameras on my street?

NYSDOT is mandated to collect traffic count data every 3rd year on 25% of roads in New York State. This includes roads that are eligible for federal funding and all local roads with a bridge or railroad crossing. This data must be reported to the Federal Highway Administration for state funding purposes.
Additionally, approximately 10% of local roads are randomly sampled to allow NYSDOT to estimate the total traffic within the state. This additional data is used for local municipality funding purposes.

What is being done with this information?

NYSDOT makes all traffic count data collected public at: https://nysdottrafficdata.drakewell.com/ and https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/highway-data-services
The traffic count data is used by the state for traffic impact studies, design, prioritizing maintenance, estimating greenhouse gas emissions, regional planning efforts, etc. The data is also used by the public when putting together business plans, HUD applications, or students doing research.

What happens to the Images that are collected during the study?

NYSDOT stores no images. Only traffic count data is kept.

Why is the traffic counting camera installed near my property?

NYSDOT only collects information on public roadways. Occasionally a private driveway is within view, however NYSDOT does not collect information from private driveways.

Are local municipalities notified?

Yes, municipalities are notified weekly of all scheduled count locations.