Publication of annual road traffic estimates: vehicle kilometres travelled in NI 2014

The Annual Road Traffic Estimates: Vehicle Kilometres Travelled in Northern Ireland, 2014 is now available.

These annual road traffic statistics provide estimates of the vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) each year in NI, by road category and vehicle type. This report is produced by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB).  The publication is available on the ASRB website at:

• www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/annual-road-traffic-estimates

Key points

• In 2014, overall road traffic in Northern Ireland was estimated at 19.8 billion vehicle kilometres. This has remained relatively consistent over the period 2008 to 2014 with the exception of a small increase in 2009.
• Major roads account for only 10% of the total road length in NI, yet the traffic on these roads contributes to 57% of the total vehicle kilometres travelled. Conversely, the minor road network accounts for 90% of the total road length in NI and the traffic on these roads contributes to the remaining 43%.
• Less than 1% of the total road network in Northern Ireland is motorway yet motorway traffic accounted for 8% of the total vehicle kilometres travelled in 2014.
• In 2014, 8.6 billion vehicle kilometres (43% of the total) were travelled on minor roads.
• Among roads, trunk A rural roads carried the largest proportion of traffic, 4.3 billion vehicle kilometres in 2014, around a fifth (21%) of the total.
• In 2014, cars accounted for almost 9 out of every 10 vehicle kilometres travelled on Northern Ireland roads with 17.7 billion vehicle kilometres travelled.

Notes to editors: 

1. Background to Annual Road Traffic Estimates 2014

This statistical report presents annual road traffic estimates for Northern Ireland for 2014. These annual road traffic statistics provide estimates of the vehicle kilometres travelled each year in NI, by road category and vehicle type. This report is produced by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) in the Department for Infrastructure.  It is due to be published at 9:30am on Thursday 30 June 2016.

Annual estimates are mainly based on around 500 manual counts where trained enumerators count traffic by vehicle type over a 12 or 24 hour period. This survey is known as the Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) survey. Traffic data is also collected from a network of around 350 Automatic Traffic Counters (ATCs), of which 210 have continuous counts at permanent locations, and the remaining ATCs are rotated at defined locations.  In addition to counting traffic, the ATCs record some of the physical properties of passing vehicles which are used to classify vehicles by type. These two data sources are combined with road lengths statistics to estimate the vehicle kilometres travelled each year by vehicle type and road type.

Official Statistics

This is an Official Statistics publication and therefore follows the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.  You can find further information about the Code of Practice at:

• Statistics Authority

For further information please contact:

• Tel (public enquiries): 028 9054 0865
• (Text relay prefix 18001)
• E-mail: CSRB@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
• Website: Statistics and Research

2. Media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 0769 971 5440 and your call will be returned.

Share this page