A summary of the most common questions asked by our customers when they are learning to use Insights.
Are we able to obtain historical data?
A: New Insights accounts get 13 months of historical traffic data when they sign up. If more than 13 months is needed, additional data can be purchased by the year, going back to 2021.
What file types are used for import and export on the platform?
A: Urban SDK generally accepts the following file formats set to projection WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) with the geometry data stored as Well-Known Text (WKT) (click for more info):
- CSV
- JSON
- GeoJson
- Shapefile (zipped)
Do you offer an API to query data?
A: Urban SDK does not currently offer an API for data queries or integration. However, we are exploring S3 bucket solutions for regular static data delivery, providing an alternative that avoids the complexities of API integration and specialized skills.
When is the traffic speed and congestion data updated?
A: Traffic speed and congestion data is currently updated monthly. Occasionally, database issues or delays from our data provider may affect release timing, in which case affected customers are notified. Urban SDK is working to update data weekly and eventually daily, which requires additional compute and processing. The monthly data refresh spreads out processing over a month, but more frequent updates would need this processing to be done in a shorter time.
Can Traffic Volume be viewed by direction?
A: Not yet. Traffic Volume data cannot currently be viewed by direction, but Urban SDK plans to include this feature in the next Traffic Volume update later this year. However, all other data from Urban SDK can be viewed by direction.
Can I apply Display Filters to a specific direction?
A: For bi-directional road links on the map, display filters apply to the combined data of both directions and cannot be used to show data for just one direction. For median-separated roads, the links are already divided by direction, so applying a filter will affect both directional links.
Why is my street labeled eastbound and westbound instead of northbound and southbound?
A: Urban SDK determines road direction based on the azimuth rotation of each road link from its start to end point. For curved corridors, different segments may have varying direction labels depending on the rotation of each individual road segment along the corridor.
Are the legends customizable?
A: No, legends are static. Custom legends are available by exporting data to a Studio map
What are the reasons some sections may show 'no data'?
A: Sections labeled as 'no data' lack enough reliable samples to ensure accurate decisions. This can happen due to low traffic volume or inconsistent mobile telemetry. For example, a quiet cul-de-sac might only see a few cars a day, leading to 'no data' during low traffic periods. In remote areas, geospatial data pings might not accurately match roads due to poor GPS visibility.
What is the sample size of the data?
A: Urban SDK's data has a vehicle penetration rate of 20-35% nationwide, with accuracy varying by geography and device density. It is collected 24/7 year-round and modeled with ground truth data for reliability. Provided in raw format, this data is processed into traffic metrics by Urban SDK, which applies automated and manual quality checks, and regularly validates data with customers. Sample numbers by link or report are not currently provided, however Urban SDK is developing a universal data confidence measure for use across all data products to help customers use the data effectively.
Why is my report saying access restricted?
A: This means the report was created in a different account than what you are currently logged in on.