Good Question: What are those devices along busy roads?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Every once in a while you may notice something odd posted up along some of our busiest roads and expressways.

As it turns out, it’s there for a very good reason. It is meant to help make your drive quicker and safer.

Here are some examples of questions News10NBC’s Brennan Somers got earlier this year: What’s with those devices along Route 104? What are those poles posted on 104 in Ontario?

They are "non-intrusive" traffic counters. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) puts them out to get updates on average daily traffic for a certain highway.

But why use counters strapped to signs? Or other poles?

NYSDOT officials say they work better for split highways like 104 versus the small dual-tubes laid on roads that count cars as they run over them. Those are for two-lane roads.

The DOT updates traffic counts for different locations on a rolling basis every few years. The goal is to study areas to see where engineers may need to do maintenance or come up with future improvement projects.

Teams will create traffic control plans as well, so they know what to expect if any closures need to take place.

The counters are only up for about a week before they are moved to a new spot. As of last week, NYSDOT did not have any posted in our area, but they will be back.

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If you have a question you’d like answered, email GoodQuestion@whec.com.