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UDOT outlines regional active-transportation count program and pilot to standardize data sharing
Summary
UDOT presented a multi-agency pilot and a statewide site-selection tool intended to create a standardized, shareable active-transportation counting program to support data-driven planning and grant applications.
Neda Kiani, UDOT active-transportation data and project manager, briefed the committee on a multi-year effort to create a coordinated active-transportation counting program and an accompanying site-selection tool. The briefing took place during the WFRC Active Transportation Committee meeting on Jan. 15, 2025.
UDOT staff said the program developed a site-selection methodology to create a representative, equitable sample of count locations across urban and rural factor groups; UDOT and partners expanded the tool statewide after initial Wasatch Front testing. The tool allows agencies to filter network segments based on demand, facility type and transit access to find optimal counter locations.
UDOT also described a one-year pilot (Sept. 2024–Sept. 2025) that aggregates data from five existing count programs (including Salt Lake City, MAG and others) through a contracted vendor (Echo Counter) and stores results on UDOT's platform for public access. Kiani said the pilot focuses on testing data collection, sharing and the API-to-dashboard workflow; the agency plans to expand if funding and interagency agreements are secured.
Why it matters: standardized, publicly accessible count data will support data-driven planning, safety analysis and stronger grant applications. Committee members asked about technology choices (LIDAR/radar vs. widely used counters), ongoing maintenance costs, and how smaller cities can join.
UDOT said the program report includes national best-practice research, pilot-technology findings, cost estimates and recommended roles/responsibilities for partners. Kiani told the committee the report and tools will be shared with WFRC and local agencies and invited jurisdictions with counters to participate in the pilot.
Ending: UDOT staff said next steps are securing dedicated funding, finalizing interagency agreements, and expanding the counter deployment and data-sharing platform to move from pilot to an operational statewide program.
