Description of the Indicator
This indicator captures traffic counts from permanent count sites. The local sites include Interstate 81 in Wilkes-Barre Township, Interstate 80 in Foster Township, and State Route 307 in Newton Township. Additionally, this indicator examines the daily vehicle miles on highways in the region.
Why is this important?
This indicator aids in assessing infrastructure demands by providing information about usage patterns. Increases in highway usage could warrant increased road maintenance or expansion of road networks.
How is the region performing?
Annual average daily traffic counts for I-81 in Wilkes-Barre Township and I-80 in Foster Township have increased from 2015 to 2023 (by 4.7 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively). PA-307 experienced an 8.1 percent decrease in traffic counts during that period.
Daily vehicle miles of travel along Lackawanna County’s 144.5 linear highway miles increased by 5.2 percent from 2022 to 2023. Daily vehicle miles of travel along Luzerne County’s 177.7 linear highway miles decreased by 1.1 percent from 2022 to 2023.
Wayne County’s 6.6 linear highway miles increased significantly to 29.3 miles between 2022 and 2023. This increase in highway miles is associated with a 226.1 increase in daily vehicle travel miles. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, this increase can be attributed to classification changes to the national highway systems.