A turning movement count or TMC is a type of traffic count that counts the flows of people and vehicles through an intersection.[1] As with other traffic counts, they may be conducted on either a temporary or permanent basis and may use a variety of different technologies such as recorded video processed with image recognition algorithms or manual field collection[2] assisted by tools like turning movement counters.[3]
Classifications
TMCs may classify different users of the intersection and provide separate counts for each. For example a TMC could provide separate movement counts for trucks, buses, other motor vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.[4]
Pedestrians, who don't use turning lanes in the roadway, may be counted differently such as when they cross the street in marked or unmarked crossings.[4]
Applications
TMC's may be used to determine whether the intersection needs a traffic light.[5] Formulas are used to decide whether the volume of the traffic determines that a light is needed. This equation is based on the road classification, entering speed and pedestrian/bicyclist movement through the intersection. A total of eight hours of turning movement is generally mandated for this type of assessment.
References
- ↑ "Turning Movement Counts (TMC) Studies". Miovision. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ↑ Iroanya, Ruth Obianuju (2020-08-20). An Evaluation of Turning Movement Counts and Estimation of Initial Turning Proportions (Thesis) – via OAKTrust Digital Repository.
- ↑ "Turning Movement Counts Manual, 2022 Edition" (PDF). Government of Alberta. Government of Alberta. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- 1 2 "Traffic Volumes - Multimodal Intersection Turning Movement Counts". Toronto Open Data.
- ↑ "TDOT Traffic Design Manual: Chapter 4 - Justifying the Need for Traffic Signals" (PDF). Tennessee State Government. June 2020.
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