Data and Statistics Bureau Programs
Planning Systems Section
The Planning Systems Section manages several programs that are specific and unique in nature. This section also functions as a "special projects" unit for those projects that are not typically included as part of standard operating business.
Contact
, Supervisor
Phone: 406/444-7239
Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) is a specialized highway inventory program required by the Federal Highway Administration. It is primarily used to provide data that reflects the extent, condition, performance, use, and operating characteristics of the nation's highways. These data are also used for assessing highway system performance under FHWA's strategic planning process and for apportioning federal-aid funds. All states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are required to submit annual reports. United States territories are also required to report limited HPMS summary data.
Congestion Management System (CoMS) is a database that measures the current and future "operational health" on rural portions of the highway systems for which MDT is responsible. This management system is capable of measuring existing as well as future conditions on a number of different levels. It is a key component of MDT's statewide Performance Monitoring Program (P3) and is also used at the project level to assist with scoping and other project development activities.
Project History File (PHF) is a database of mostly federal-aid projects that MDT has let to contract. Data is available back to 1980. The most common use of the PHF is for researching information regarding a project or projects during certain time periods in the past. The database includes 27 data items including the project name, highway system, date let to contract, project cost, type of work, etc. The database is queriable and can be used to extract very specific customized data sets.
Primary and National Highway Data Summary (PNDS) is a compilation of highway related information for the National Highway System and Primary highways. Beginning in 2005, it also includes information on Secondary system highways. Published in hard copy form, the report reflects a graphic representation of specific roadway segments with corresponding textual information consisting of 17 commonly used information items including location, year built and improved, width, length, traffic data, pavement condition, and safety ratings. To view copies of this report call 406/444-7239.
The MDT Needs Study is prepared in odd–numbered years and reflects MDT's best estimate of funding needs over a ten-year period. It covers the funding needs associated with the highways, aeronautics, and transit programs in which MDT is involved.
Road Inventory and Mapping Section (RIMS)
The Road Inventory and Mapping Section collects, manages, maintains, reports, and maps basic road inventory data for all roads open to public travel in Montana.
The RIM Section specifically develops and maintains a number of map formats. City, county, and urban highway maps include all roads that are open to public travel in Montana. The RIM Section also develops and maintains rail and bicycle maps.
These maps are also available in hard copy form. Many other specialty maps are also developed and maintained by the RIM Section. To check for availability, call 406/444-6111.
The RIM section also develops and maintains the official Montana Highway Map. Free copies are available and can be ordered through the MDT Traveler Information menu link.
The RIMS section also produces the Road Log, which is a compilation of the basic location and attribute information for all roads in Montana that are open to public travel. It serves as MDT's common road and highway referencing system. It includes 81 data items including roadway location information, surface type, width, length, number of lanes, etc. On-line electronic forms are available to MDT personnel and hard copy reports are available for $50 each by calling 406/444-6119.
Fuel Tax Allocation
The RIM Section is responsible for calculating annual fuel tax allocations to the cities and counties in Montana. The specifics of this program, along with the answers to commonly asked questions, are available in the Q & A Fuel Tax Allocation document found in the MDT publications index.
The RIM Section is also responsible for calculating the annual allocation of Secondary funds to the five financial districts. The allocations are based on land area, rural population, and rural bridge square footage.
Contact , SupervisorPhone: 406/444-6111
Traffic Data Collection Section
The Traffic Data Collection Section (TDCS) collects, monitors, manages, maintains, and reports a comprehensive and wide variety of traffic and travel–related data on Montana's National Highway, Primary, Secondary, and Urban and State highway systems. Limited data is also collected on other local roads.
Vehicle volume data (number of vehicles on any given roadway section) are collected by machines at approximately 4000 locations across the state. Of these locations, 44 sites collect vehicle volumes by type of vehicle (e.g. motorcycles, passenger cars, and various sizes of trucks). At 30 sites, the instruments also automatically weigh vehicles. Depending on the type of site, traffic is monitored anywhere from 24 hours to continually throughout the year. The continual traffic counters are referred to as Automatic Traffic Recorders (ATRs), and a report of the traffic data collected at these 58 sites can be viewed on–line. Hard copies of this report are available for $10 each by calling 406/444-6114.
The TDCS also collects speed data at 41 sites and vehicle occupancy on a limited basis.
A hard copy of the report Traffic By Sections is published every year. It includes weighted traffic volumes by specific route segments on all routes of the National Highway, Primary, Secondary, and Urban highway systems. Hard copies of this report are available for $50 each by calling 406/444-6122.
In cooperation with MDT's Motor Carrier Services Division, the TDCS was involved in the development of the State Truck Activity Reporting System (STARS). The objectives of this study were to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of MDT's truck weight enforcement activities, provide MDT with access to improved truck-related data for use in pavement design and engineering and planning applications.
Contact
, Supervisor
Phone: 406/444-6122
