This page offers an overview of DVRPC’s bicycle and pedestrian count programs, detailing their objectives, how the counts are conducted, and where the collected data can be accessed.
Note: A glossary of key bicycle and pedestrian counting terminology is listed below.
How do I access the data?
DVRPC Count Viewer
The bicycle and pedestrian count datasets can be viewed and single counts can be downloaded as a CSV here: DVRPC Count Viewer.
To view the data in the interactive map, start by entering a municipality/city, zip code, or, for Philadelphia, the neighborhood name. The data can also be viewed using the custom search or by entering the DVRPC file number under Advanced Options. To show only bicycle and pedestrian counts in the viewer, select “Count Types” and deselect all count types under “Motorized Traffic.”
Select the “Data Access” feature under Advanced Options to download the count data.
DVRPC Open GIS Data
- Download a CSV, shapefile, GeoJSON, or KML file of the bicycle count dataset.
- Download a CSV, shapefile, GeoJSON, or KML file of the pedestrian count dataset.
DVRPC Permanent Bicycle and Pedestrian Counters
View an interactive map of permanent bicycle and pedestrian counters throughout the region and the volume data collected at each.
Why do we count?
DVRPC counts bicyclists and pedestrians in our nine-county region to better understand their travel and plan the future of the region’s active transportation network. Our count programs allow planners to measure existing levels of bicycling and walking, monitor travel trends, plan for new or improved facilities, and measure outcomes of bicycle- and pedestrian-related projects.
How do we count?
DVRPC owns, installs, and maintains its counting equipment. Our bicycle counts are taken primarily using the Pneumatic TUBE System from Eco Counter, while our pedestrian counts are taken using Pyro-Box Evo from Eco Counter.
DVRPC collects counts under three primary programs:
Cyclical: collected at the same location at regular intervals, on an ongoing basis, to track bicycle and pedestrian volumes and patterns over time. The locations for the counts were selected for their representative attributes, geographic diversity, and facility types (bicycles only). DVRPC staff has conducted analyses on the cyclical data to uncover trends in the behavior of bicyclists and pedestrians.
Find more information on the bicycle and pedestrian cyclical count programs:
DVRPC's Bicycle Cyclical Count Program Story Map (2014 to 2022)
DVRPC Southeastern Pennsylvania Pedestrian Cyclical Count Program Summary
DVRPC's Bicycle Cyclical Count Program Memo
Permanent: collected continuously throughout the year on the region’s Circuit Trails Network and on-road bicycle facilities. The counts collected at these permanent stations help DVRPC develop seasonal adjustment factors, a correction factor to account for seasonal variations in ridership. View an interactive map of DVRPC’s permanent bicycle and pedestrian counters.
Project: count data collected to measure bicycle and pedestrian volumes at or near a project site, such as an intersection or corridor. If counts are taken at the exact location before and after a project's installation, the results can be analyzed to assess the project’s impact on bicycle and pedestrian volumes.
How are we using the data?
To see how DVRPC uses bicycle and pedestrian count data in news bulletins, memorandums, and reports and to read more about the programs, visit How DVRPC Uses Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Data.
Glossary of Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting Terminology
- Seasonal adjustment factor: a correction factor to account for seasonal variation in ridership.
- Equipment factor: a correction factor to account for equipment overcounting or undercounting the actual number of users.
- Annual Average Daily Bicycle (AADB): calculated by multiplying the raw bicycle count data by the seasonal adjustment and equipment factors.
- Annual Average Daily Pedestrian Pedestrian (AADP): calculated by multiplying the raw pedestrian count data by the seasonal adjustment and the equipment factors.
How are count locations selected?
Counts are taken with funds from DVRPC’s Annual Work Program. Count locations are selected by DVRPC's partners and staff for various purposes and projects.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made on the part of DVRPC to provide valid and current information, DVRPC makes no representation or warranties, express or implied, about the validity of this information and is not to be held responsible for errors in data obtained from this website.