The Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has announced that data collection, including comprehensive traffic counts, will soon commence across various major intersections and roadways within the Bismarck and Mandan areas. This initiative, which begins on October 5, is being carried out by Gewalt Hamilton Associates (GHA), a firm hired specifically for this purpose by the MPO. The data collection is slated to continue through October 15, providing a focused period for gathering crucial transportation information for both cities.
The primary goal of this extensive data collection effort is to compile detailed information regarding traffic flow and the usage patterns of bicycles and pedestrians. Gewalt Hamilton Associates will be placing specialized traffic cameras at specific locations throughout the Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area. These strategic placements are designed to ensure broad, area-wide coverage, capturing a representative sample of daily travel behaviors. The information gathered through these cameras is intended to provide valuable insights into local transportation needs and usage, supporting future planning by the MPO.
Officials emphasize that the equipment deployed by GHA is solely for counting purposes. The cameras are not designed to, nor can they, perform facial recognition or record license plates or any other personal information. This clarification aims to address any potential public concerns regarding privacy during the data collection period. Furthermore, the MPO confirmed that these traffic counting cameras are distinct from Flock cameras and are not linked to Flock camera systems, ensuring a clear distinction in their function and capabilities.
Residents in Bismarck and Mandan are assured that this data recording process will not disrupt normal travel routines. The equipment is non-intrusive and designed to operate without interfering with the regular flow of vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians on the affected roadways and intersections. Each piece of equipment is expected to remain at its assigned location for a limited duration, specifically for no more than a few days, before being moved to another site as part of the broader data collection schedule. The entire operation is confined to the ten-day window from October 5 to October 15.
This effort by the Bismarck-Mandan MPO and Gewalt Hamilton Associates represents a standard practice in urban planning, aimed at understanding the dynamics of local transportation infrastructure. The data collected on traffic and alternative transport usage will contribute to informed decision-making regarding road improvements, pedestrian pathways, and cycling routes, ultimately benefiting commuters and residents in Burleigh and Morton counties. The MPO’s initiative underscores a proactive approach to managing and improving the region’s transportation network based on current usage patterns.
