Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Traffic Forecasting & Analysis

Coordinating MnDOT's traffic monitoring and vehicle classification programs

traffic on a highway

Data products

Internal and external partners have several ways to access the MnDOT traffic data published by the Traffic Forecasting and Analysis (TFA) section. These resources provide Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT), Heavy Commercial AADT (HCAADT), 13-class vehicle classification, raw traffic counts, hourly counts, continuous counts, and more.

If you are not able to locate a specific data product, please contact Traffic Forecasting and Analysis at MnDOT.

Tools for Viewing and Reporting Traffic Data

The TFA section of MnDOT offers three tools for accessing traffic monitoring information:

  • Traffic Viewer (TV) from MS2: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/traffic/data/tdms.html
    • Mobile‑friendly interface designed for quick lookups.
    • Shows traffic values at individual collection points.
    • Both MS2 applications include traffic data beginning in 2016, with ongoing work to migrate older datasets into the MS2 cloud.
  • Traffic Count Database System (TCDS) from MS2: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/traffic/data/tdms.html
    • A comprehensive desktop tool for detailed analysis, reporting, and viewing of traffic data (volume, class, hourly, continuous, AADT/HCAADT) at collection points as well as traffic segments.
    • Both MS2 applications include traffic data beginning in 2016, with ongoing work to migrate older datasets into the MS2 cloud.
  • Enterprise MnDOT Mapping Application (EMMA) from MnDOT: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/tda/emma.html
    • Contains “Official Current AADT (Observed)” and “Official Current HCAADT”
    • Includes the historical data prior to 2016.
  • Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)

Tools to View and Access GIS Traffic Data

Internal and external partners have several ways to access the Traffic Forecasting and Analysis (TFA) program’s GIS-based traffic datasets. These resources provide Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT), Heavy Commercial AADT (HCAADT), vehicle classification, raw traffic counts, and more.

Internal Access for MnDOT Staff

Internal users can access the full suite of traffic GIS layers through:

Staff new to MnDOT GIS are encouraged to contact MNIT GIS Support and review onboarding resources and documentation available on the Interchange.

External Access through Public Platforms

External users can find MnDOT’s GIS data using the following tools:

  • ArcGIS Online (AGOL) https://www.arcgis.com/index.html
    • Search for “Annual Average Daily Traffic,” or “Heavy Commercial Annual Average Daily Traffic,” and “Minnesota.”
    • Data should be published by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
  • Minnesota Geospatial Commons: https://gis.data.mn.gov/
    • Search “AADT” or “HCAADT” for current and historical datasets.
  • Enterprise MnDOT Mapping Application (EMMA): https://www.dot.state.mn.us/tda/emma.html
    • Search for “Official Current AADT (Observed)” or “Official Current HCAADT”.
    • Then, in the list of available layers listed under the Map Layers icon, check the box and zoom in until visible.

Available GIS Layers

The following GIS layers support mapping, analysis, data science workflows, and planning activities across MnDOT and partner agencies. The following datasets are available for internal and external users depending on platform and access level:

  • Weekly updated datasets:
    • TRAFFIC_COUNT_LOCS_ACTIVE
    • TRAFFIC_SEGMENTS_ACTIVE
    • CONTINUOUS_COLLECTION_SITES
    • VEHICLE_CLASS_COLLECTION_SITES
  • Annually updated datasets:
    • AADT_SEGMENT_CURRENT
    • HCAADT_SEGMENT_CURRENT
    • AADT_LOCATIONS_CURRENT
    • HCAADT_LOCATIONS_CURRENT
    • AADT_HISTORY_SAMPLED (table)
    • HCAADT_HISTORY (table)

AADT and HCAADT Data Type Codes

For more information on both Sampled and Unsampled values, refer to MnDOT’s full documentation on Data Type codes and publishing methods.

A – Count-Based
M – Modeled
C – Factored

Printable PDF Traffic Maps

Based on shifting customer needs and accessibility recommendations from the MnDOT Communication Office, 2019 was the last year large format PDF maps of the AADT were produced. Since traffic data is updated each year, it is no longer a best practice to print and display a large format map for many years. Interactive maps that refresh more frequently are recommended.
Alternatives:

  • Export printable PDF maps as needed for meetings and presentations from EMMA or TCDS for the area of interest using the built-in print feature within each tool.
  • Create an account in ArcGIS online and use the external public resources listed above to create printable maps.
  • Coordinate with your agency GIS department to add AADT and/or HCAADT to the existing county or city mapping products using the external public resources listed above.

Use of this document is subject to MnDOT's disclaimers, legal notices, and policies.