MnDOT modernizes traffic data management with MS2 integration
By: Christy Prentice, Traffic Monitoring Supervisor, Office of Transportation System Management
MnDOT's Office of Transportation System Management is transitioning to a new transportation data platform through MS2, enhancing how traffic volume, classification, speed, and weight data are stored, analyzed, and shared with users. The new platform is replacing the functionality of the Traffic Mapping Application, which has reached the end of its life-cycle due to ESRI software changes.
The GIS traffic datasets are not going away. They will continue to be accessible for current and future analysis needs. GIS traffic data published by Traffic Forecasting & Analysis will continue to be publicly available on MnDOT’s ArcGIS Online (AGOL) and the MN Geospatial Commons, ensuring long-term availability.
As part of this modernization, both internal and public users will gain access to MS2’s Traffic Viewer—a mobile-friendly, interactive interface that allows users to explore real-time and historical traffic count data across Minnesota. This user-centric platform empowers residents, planners, researchers, and businesses to make informed decisions related to transportation, development, and mobility.
For users seeking deeper insights, MS2 also offers the Traffic Count Database System (TCDS). This robust tool enables users to generate custom search queries, export detailed tables, and create visualizations that span the entire state.
Public users can access the new tools at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/traffic/data/tdms.html. Users will click the underlined words “Launch application “ under the title at the top of this webpage. Then, based on their needs, they will select either the "Traffic Viewer (TV)" or the "Traffic Count Database System (TCDS)" icon listed under "My Products."
No login is required, and each tool includes a help link for general guidance and navigation. In TCDS, users can turn on the official AADT and HCAADT GIS layers as background labels by selecting them from the "MnDOT" group in the map menu "Tools."
Key benefits of this modernization effort:
- Public transparency: An interactive map and attribute interface makes traffic data—including, for the first time, detailed granular data—easily accessible to everyone, promoting openness and encouraging civic engagement.
- Data-driven planning: Local agencies, consultants, and developers can leverage the system to support transportation studies, land use planning, and infrastructure investments.
- Efficiency and accuracy: Automated data collection and centralized storage reduce manual processes and ensure consistent, high-quality data.
- On-demand reporting: Users can generate reports, charts, and visualizations to support grant applications, environmental reviews, and traffic impact analyses.
- Multiple data types: AADT, passenger, buses/trucks (i.e. HCAADT), hourly class, hourly volume, hourly speed, peak AM/PM volumes, per vehicle weight data.
- Historical trends with increased security: Traffic data will be archived out of the MS2 cloud-based application to an on-site database which will enable long-term trend analysis and forecasting (up to 30 years), supporting strategic planning efforts with greater security (department access is read-only).
Beyond wider departmental and public access, the MS2 platform enhances MnDOT’s internal operations by streamlining data workflows, improving coordination across districts, and strengthening the agency’s ability to respond to public and legislative inquiries.