Data Collection Services

The Vendor is required to provide vehicle classification counts throughout the city, as-needed via pneumatic tube traffic counts on arterials, via automatic traffic records (ATR) – data collection services, during the annual collection season from April 1st to October 31.
- Requirement:
• Generally, the data collection season is from April 1st to October 29th (studded tires are legal from Nov 1st to March 31st and are damaging to tubes.
• Tubes perpendicular to traffic flow.
• Correct and even separation, according to manufacturer.
• Tubes correctly stretched (differs depending on temperature). too tight will pinch off air pulses, too loose will cause tubes to roll, no longer be perpendicular To traffic or cause a double hit slap.
• Avoid large puddles where tubes may siphon water.
• Avoid stretching tubes across large voids where vibration can cause “double hits”.
• Count location for no less than 48hours.
• Count arterials between cross arterials.
• Do not place tubes near intersections, driveways, or alleyways (avoiding diagonal hits).
• Do not secure chain for counter to private property.
• Depending on signal and corridor, place tubes a sufficient distance from signals.
• Do not place tubes on a curve.
• Do not place tubes in a location where they can be parked on or will be consistently stopped on (i.e. too close to a controlled intersection where vehicle backups may occur).
• Do not place tubes in a location where a traffic queue will build up on them (i.e. too close to a controlled intersection where vehicle backups may occur).
• Classification count set up generally used (unless count is in the central business district).
• Counters tested annually.
• Tubes tested monthly.
• Tube length between 40’ and 60’.
• Set equipment timepiece prior to installation.
• Scheduling when to set counters
o Researching traffic generating events such as fairs, concerts, sporting events, etc.
o Researching when adjusting events such as street construction traffic, signal changes, Avista gas valve changes, etc. are occurring.
• Place mastic correctly to reduce chances of double counts.