The Harmonised Traffic Counts dataset reports on the number and type of vehicles travelling past traffic counter stations across Australia in a given duration, over time. Depending on the sophistication of the counter and the provider, counts can be by vehicle classification (using the Austroads 1-12 classification), a 2 or 4-level grouping of the 12-level classification or a simple count of all traffic.
| Counter Type |
Counting |
| 01-bin |
Single count for all vehicles, regardless of Austroads vehicle classification |
| 02-bin |
Counts for Light (class 1 and 2) and Heavy (classes 3 to 12) categories |
| 04-bin |
Counts for Short (classes 1 and 2), Rigid (classes 3 to 5), Articulated (classes 6 to 9) and Combination (classes 10 to 12) categories |
| 12-bin |
Individual counts for each of the 12 classifications |
The data has been sourced from a number of providers, either state authorities or commercial data collection facilitators, who publish open traffic counts. Count observations in the source data can be hourly, by calendar year or financial year – this depends on what each jurisdiction releases.
- Geocounts (NSW/VIC/TAS – hourly counts)
- RMS (NSW – hourly counts)
- QLD state government – calendar year counts based on annual average daily traffic counts.
- SA state government – financial year counts based on annual average daily traffic counts.
The National Freight Data Hub has combined, aggregated and harmonised traffic count information from the above listed states into a consistent format. The ArcGIS APIs linked below will enable users to query monthly, calendar year or financial year summarised counts for available traffic counter locations in the dataset.
We are seeking to improve the quality and coverage of this dataset, with the aim of establishing a nationally harmonised and consistent set of traffic counts information for the Australian road network. If we are currently not including data from your jurisdiction, or you are aware of data that we could incorporate to enhance the completeness and accuracy of this dataset, please get in touch.
Please note: Our previous publication of a subset of the Harmonised Traffic Counts dataset is available here: Harmonised Traffic Counts (snapshot release)
For further information about this project, to provide feedback or to request more detailed data, please contact the NFDH.