The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has started conducting traffic and vehicle counts across the state this spring and summer. This effort aims to collect data on the number of cars, trucks, and other vehicles using Iowa’s roadways, which will help transportation officials predict future traffic volume and weight trends. The data is used later to determine efficient allocation of improvement funds. While primarily focused on southwest Iowa, crews will occasionally work in other regions. Employees will count and classify vehicles, record vehicle turning movements, and gather data necessary for future roadway planning. Peak hour counts are conducted between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Portable traffic recorders are being placed and checked periodically, recording data for one to two days. Some employees work outside traditional business hours to manage these recorders. The project also includes installing and maintaining permanent traffic recorders and weigh-in-motion equipment, as well as updating railroad crossing inventories. People in the area can expect to see Iowa DOT employees and vehicles in their communities at all hours of the day.
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