What is Road Traffic Data? Examples, Providers & Datasets to Buy
- Overview
- Datasets
- Providers
- Use Cases
- Attributes
- Guide
- FAQ
- Overview
- Datasets
- Providers
- Use Cases
- Attributes
- Guide
- FAQ
What is Road Traffic Data?
Traffic data tells you about the volume, flow, speed and classification of vehicle traffic on the roads in a given area. It’s not to be confused with web traffic data or footfall traffic data: these datasets provide information about internet users and pedestrians in the street, not about cars and vehicles.
Traffic data commonly is traffic we see on the roads around us, and so is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘road traffic data’. However, traffic data has many sub-categories beyond this: rail traffic, freight traffic and marine traffic all tell you about the flow of vehicles in specific places and industries. But throughout this guide, whenever we refer to ‘traffic data’, we’re talking about data which counts and measures automobiles and public transport found on ordinary roads.
What Are Examples of Traffic Data?
Road traffic data encompasses multiple variables that help understand and improve transportation systems. Key examples include:
- Vehicle Counts: The number of vehicles passing a specific location over a given period.
- Speed Measurements: Average and real-time vehicle speeds to assess congestion levels.
- Travel Times: Duration of trips between specific points, crucial for logistics planning.
- Traffic Flow Information: Data on how vehicles move through road networks.
- Congestion Levels: Identifies slowdowns, bottlenecks, and high-traffic zones.
- Accident & Incident Reports: Logs of crashes, breakdowns, and other road incidents.
Best Traffic Databases & Datasets
Datarade offers a wide range of road traffic datasets, including historical traffic patterns, real-time congestion monitoring, and predictive traffic analytics. Some datasets specialize in specific regions or urban areas, while others provide global traffic insights.
Web Traffic Data | 500M+ US Web Traffic Data Resolution | B2B and B2C Website Visitor Identity Resolution
PREDIK Data-Driven I UK Aggregated Foot Traffic Data & Mobility Data I Measure Foot Traffic patterns within the United Kingdom
Global Leading Multinational Retailer Location & Foot Traffic Data
Area Analysis | Aggregated Foot Traffic Data | 11 Countries | GDPR-Compliant
Irys | Mobility Data Insights | Global | Real-Time & Historical [Foot Traffic Data]
Driver Technologies | Near Accident Traffic Data | North America and UK | Real-time and historical traffic information
Reliable, Compliant, Precise Foot Traffic & Mobile Location Data | Real-Time, Aggregated Foot Traffic Data | Middle East
Real-Time Foot Traffic Data | Aggregated Foot Traffic Data | Location & Mobility Data | Global | 600+ Customers
Foot Traffic Data | Global Consumer Visitation Insights To Inform Marketing and Operational Decisions | Mobile Location Data
Mobility Data & Car Data | Europe & UK coverage | Traffic Data use cases
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Top Traffic Data Providers & Companies
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Predik Data-driven
CoverageUSAUK+247VWe wanted to analyse the foot traffic data across Sydney. Predik provided quality traffic density heatmap and raw foot traffic data across Sydney Australia to support us with the use case. Highly recommended.
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Pixta AI
CoverageUSAUK+247VWe collaborated with Pixta on an AI project. Pixta surprised us with great labelling and annotation services. Pixta Team has a high standard for the services and always double checks with us during the project to ensure alignment. Moreover, Pixta has provided licenced images, even human images, so we have no worries about the legal issue. Pixta is our first-choice partner for all AI projects.
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Grepsr
CoverageUSAUK+247VUtilizing Grepsr's data solutions, we employed their capabilities to efficiently retrieve a substantial volume of job posting information. The acquired dataset played a pivotal role in supporting our strategic marketing initiatives, demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of Grepsr's data services in enhancing our business intelligence and outreach endeavors.
Popular Use Cases for Traffic Data
Road traffic data is widely used across industries for transportation management, infrastructure development, and urban planning. Common applications include:
- Supply Chain Intelligence: Optimizing delivery routes based on real-time traffic conditions.
- Origin-Destination (O-D) Analysis: Understanding travel behavior and traffic flows between locations.
- Smart City Planning: Enhancing urban mobility through data-driven infrastructure decisions.
- Traffic Congestion Monitoring: Identifying problem areas and improving traffic signal timing.
- Autonomous Vehicle Testing: Providing real-world driving conditions for self-driving technology development.
- Insurance Risk Assessment: Evaluating accident-prone areas to refine insurance pricing models.
- Public Transport Optimization: Adjusting transit schedules and routes based on traffic trends.
- Carbon Footprint Reduction: Using traffic data to design eco-friendly transport strategies.
Main Attributes of Traffic Data
Road traffic datasets include various attributes that help businesses and governments make informed decisions. These attributes often include:
- Traffic volume & vehicle classifications
- Speed and acceleration trends
- Road congestion & travel delays
- Accident and incident reports
- GPS and telematics data
- Weather impact on traffic conditions
- Toll road and highway usage statistics
- Real-time vs. historical traffic patterns
Depending on the use case, the more attributes included in a dataset, the better it can support decision-making.
| Attribute | Type | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Float | The latitude of a point on earth's surface. Commonly abbreviated as "lat". | View 111 datasets | |
| Float | The longitude of a point on earth's surface. Commonly abbreviated as "long". | View 75 datasets | |
| String | The country code in Alpha-2 format (ISO 3166) | View 47 datasets | |
| String | The name of a state. | View 41 datasets | |
| String | The address of a company or contact (street name, number, zip code, city, county, country). | View 39 datasets | |
| String | The name of a city. | View 37 datasets |
Why Is Road Traffic Data Important?
Road traffic data plays a critical role in improving transportation efficiency, reducing congestion, and enhancing road safety.
Urban & Infrastructure Planning
City planners rely on road traffic data to design better road networks, optimize intersections, and enhance public transportation efficiency. Accurate data helps in making long-term infrastructure investments that accommodate growing urban populations.
Logistics & Fleet Management
Logistics companies use real-time traffic data to optimize delivery routes, reduce delays, and improve fuel efficiency. Predictive traffic analytics also help in forecasting delivery times and managing vehicle maintenance.
Safety & Risk Mitigation
Accident data and congestion reports enable authorities to identify high-risk areas and implement measures to improve road safety. Insurance companies also use traffic data to assess risk and refine policy pricing models.
How is Road Traffic Data Collected?
Road traffic data is gathered from multiple sources to provide accurate insights into traffic flow, congestion, and travel behavior. Common collection methods include:
- GPS & Telematics Systems: Data from connected vehicles and fleet tracking devices provide real-time traffic patterns.
- Traffic Cameras & Sensors: Installed on roads and intersections to count vehicles, measure speeds, and detect congestion.
- Mobile Apps & Navigation Systems: Applications like Google Maps and Waze collect anonymized user movement data.
- Satellite & Aerial Imagery: Captures large-scale traffic patterns and road conditions.
- Roadside Surveys & Manual Counts: Conducted by traffic authorities to validate automated data sources.
- Toll Booth & Smart Highway Systems: Records vehicle movements on toll roads and high-speed expressways.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Quality of Traffic Data Maintained?
The quality of Traffic Data is ensured through rigorous validation processes, such as cross-referencing with reliable sources, monitoring accuracy rates, and filtering out inconsistencies. High-quality datasets often report match rates, regular updates, and adherence to industry standards.
How Frequently is Traffic Data Updated?
The update frequency for Traffic Data varies by provider and dataset. Some datasets are refreshed daily or weekly, while others update less frequently. When evaluating options, ensure you select a dataset with a frequency that suits your specific use case.
Is Traffic Data Secure?
The security of Traffic Data is prioritized through compliance with industry standards, including encryption, anonymization, and secure delivery methods like SFTP and APIs. At Datarade, we enforce strict policies, requiring all our providers to adhere to regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant data protection standards.
How is Traffic Data Delivered?
Traffic Data can be delivered in formats such as CSV, JSON, XML, or via APIs, enabling seamless integration into your systems. Delivery frequencies range from real-time updates to scheduled intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, or on-demand). Choose datasets that align with your preferred delivery method and system compatibility for Traffic Data.
How Much Does Traffic Data Cost?
The cost of Traffic Data depends on factors like the datasets size, scope, update frequency, and customization level. Pricing models may include one-off purchases, monthly or yearly subscriptions, or usage-based fees. Many providers offer free samples, allowing you to evaluate the suitability of Traffic Data for your needs.
What Are Similar Data Types to Traffic Data?
Traffic Data is similar to other data types, such as Vehicle Location Data, Commercial Vehicle Data, Car Data, VIN Data, and License Plate Data. These related categories are often used together for applications like Tire Condition Analysis and Supply Chain Intelligence.
