How long will the city take to respond to a records request?

Response timing varies by agency and request complexity; see the City records page and California Government Code for statutory guidance.

Will I have to pay for traffic count data?

Small reproduction fees are common for large or special-format requests; if a specific fee is required it will be stated on the agency page or in the response.

What if the SFMTA says data are exempt or proprietary?

You may request a formal denial in writing, preserve the agency’s justification, and pursue administrative review or court remedies as allowed by law.

Request Traffic Count Records - San Francisco

Transportation California 4 Minutes Read · published February 06, 2026

In San Francisco, California, traffic count data—such as vehicle volumes, pedestrian counts, and intersection turn movements—is public information in many cases and can be requested under the California Public Records Act (PRA) or local public‑records procedures. Start by identifying the custodian (often the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for street traffic data) and submit a written request describing the records, date range, and preferred format. For city procedure and the official request form, see the City and County of San Francisco public records page: City Public Records Request^[1].

What records are commonly available

The following types of traffic-count materials are frequently held by city agencies and may be released unless exempted:

Intersection volume tables and peak‑hour counts.
Automated traffic‑sensor or loop-detector datasets.
Pedestrian and bicycle counts from manual or automated surveys.
Study reports and traffic analysis for specific projects.

Many traffic datasets are published or cataloged in agency data libraries and open-data portals; check the SFMTA data and report library for published counts and study PDFs: SFMTA Data Library^[2].

Traffic counts may be published publicly or require a records request depending on file format and sensitivity.

How to prepare a clear PRA request

Draft a concise written request that includes:

The specific records sought (e.g., "vehicle turning movement counts at Market St & 5th St, March–May 2023").
Relevant date range and locations.
Preferred file format (CSV, PDF, shapefile) and delivery method (email, download link, CD).
Contact name, email, and phone for clarifying questions.

Send the request to the city records office or the specific agency custodian. If the SFMTA is the custodian for the data you need, follow the SFMTA instructions in its data library or records page.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of public‑records obligations and remedies for improper withholding are governed by the California Public Records Act and local procedures. Where specific civil penalties or fee caps apply, they are stated in the controlling law or agency guidance; if a penalty or amount is not shown on the cited page, this article notes that fact alongside the citation. See California law for statutory remedies and the City public records unit for local complaint steps: California Government Code §6253^[3].

Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages for routine traffic-count requests; specific monetary penalties for violations are "not specified on the cited page."
Escalation: first response, estimated completion, and any continuing noncompliance remedies are handled per CPRA and city procedures; amounts and schedules not specified on the cited pages.
Non‑monetary sanctions: court orders to disclose, injunctive relief, and attorney-fee awards may be available under state law (see Gov. Code references).
Enforcer/contact: City and County of San Francisco Records Unit and the SFMTA Records custodian enforce disclosure; use the official records request page and agency contact channels to file complaints or appeals.
Appeals/review: if a request is denied, appeal through the city’s administrative review and ultimately through the state courts; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited city pages.

If you believe records were wrongly withheld, preserve all correspondence and note dates for any appeal or court filing.

Applications & Forms

The City of San Francisco publishes a public records request form and instructions on its records page; submit the completed form or a clear written request to the address or portal listed on that page. Fee schedules for reproduction or special-format delivery are provided when applicable on the agency pages; if no fee is listed for a specific traffic dataset, the cited page does not specify a fee.

How-To

Identify the records you need and the likely custodian (SFMTA for most street traffic counts).
Prepare a written request with location, date range, file format, and contact details.
Send the request via the City records portal or the agency’s records contact address; keep copies.
Track the agency’s response and provide clarifications promptly if requested.
If denied or stalled, follow city review steps and consider consulting the California Public Records Act guidance for remedies.

FAQ

How long will the city take to respond to a records request?: Response timing varies by agency and request complexity; see the City records page and California Government Code for statutory guidance.
Will I have to pay for traffic count data?: Small reproduction fees are common for large or special-format requests; if a specific fee is required it will be stated on the agency page or in the response.
What if the SFMTA says data are exempt or proprietary?: You may request a formal denial in writing, preserve the agency’s justification, and pursue administrative review or court remedies as allowed by law.

Key Takeaways

Be specific: a focused request speeds processing.
Check agency open-data portals before requesting to avoid fees and delay.
Keep records of all correspondence for appeals.