Building Your Traffic Survey Business: Essential Tools and Methods
Starting a traffic survey business can be a rewarding venture, especially as urban planning and infrastructure development increasingly depend on reliable data. Whether you’re aiming to serve government contracts, private infrastructure firms, or traffic consultants, having the right setup is essential for accuracy, efficiency, and scalability. This guide outlines the essential tools and methods required to build a successful traffic survey business.
1. Define Your Services
Before investing in tools, clearly define the services you plan to offer:
Manual vehicle counting
Video-based traffic surveys
Turning movement counts (TMCs)
Origin-destination (OD) surveys
Pedestrian and cyclist counts
Queue length and delay analysis
Parking occupancy surveys
Each of these services may require different tools, skill sets, and methodologies.
2. Essential Equipment and Tools
Here are the core tools and equipment required to start:
a. Video Cameras and Mounting Equipment
High-definition surveillance cameras with wide-angle lenses are essential for capturing video footage. Use tripod mounts, pole mounts, or telescopic masts for ideal positioning.
b. Manual Counting Tools
For smaller projects or quality control checks, tally counters, clickers, and printed tally sheets are still very useful.
c. Laptops and Processing Software
Ensure you have reliable laptops for storing and reviewing footage. Depending on your analysis method, you’ll also need video playback tools, data entry spreadsheets, or dedicated traffic analysis software.
d. Traffic Video Analysis Software
Invest in professional software solutions (manual or automated) that can process and classify vehicle movements efficiently. Look for features like:
Multi-lane tracking
Vehicle classification (e.g., 2W, 3W, LMV, HMV, etc.)
Time-stamped outputs
Exportable Excel or CSV formats
e. Power Backup & Storage
Ensure your camera systems have power banks or UPS support for long-duration shoots. Always have extra SD cards and hard drives for redundant storage.
3. Methods of Data Collection
a. Manual Video Analysis
Trained analysts review video footage to extract data. This is highly accurate for complex junctions and detailed studies.
b. Software-Based Analysis
For high-volume sites or 24/7 recordings, automated software can save time. These tools are faster but must be monitored for errors and revalidation.
c. Hybrid Approach
Use a mix of software and manual review to ensure accuracy in challenging sites with heavy traffic, occlusion, or unique vehicle behavior.
4. Team Training and Workforce
Build a team of:
Field staff for camera installations
Video analysts for data extraction
QA/QC reviewers to verify data accuracy
Project managers to oversee delivery timelines
Provide continuous training on new software, classification standards, and error detection protocols.
5. Quality Control and Accuracy
Your reputation depends on data accuracy. Implement the following:
Recounts of random samples
Double-blind analysis (two analysts independently count the same clip)
Use of standard classification codes
Periodic audits
6. Deliverables and Reporting
Offer clients clean, well-structured reports:
Excel sheets with time intervals (e.g., 15-min or hourly)
Vehicle-wise breakdown
Graphs and peak hour summaries
Google Map location links and survey logs
7. Marketing Your Services
Build a portfolio and showcase:
Sample reports
Before-after images of field setups
Testimonials
Partnerships with traffic consultants and civic authorities
Use platforms like LinkedIn, Google Business, and industry portals to reach clients.
Conclusion
Building a traffic survey business requires a balance of technical tools, skilled manpower, and process discipline. Start small with quality-focused projects, invest in the right equipment, and grow through reliability and referrals. With increasing demand for real-time and historical traffic data, the opportunities are vast—and with the right foundation, your business can become a trusted partner in traffic planning and mobility studies.
