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, State Route 307 in Newton Township, and State Route 29 in Eaton Township. Additionally, this indicator examines the daily vehicle miles on highways in the region.
Why is this important?
Usage patterns associated with traffic and travel volume affect infrastructure demand. 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 2024 (by 5.6 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively). PA-307 experienced a 7.1 percent decrease in traffic counts during that period. Information was not available for PA-29 from 2015 to 2020, but traffic counts fluctuated from 2021 to 2024.
Daily vehicle miles of travel along Lackawanna County’s 142.5 linear highway miles decreased by 0.3 percent from 2023 to 2024. Daily vehicle miles of travel along Luzerne County’s 175.5 linear highway miles decreased by 0.6 percent from 2023 to 2024. All four counties and the state have experienced declines in daily vehicle miles of travel along national highways.