While research focuses on using available traffic data sources to identify and relieve traffic congestion,less work is devoted answering the question of how and where to collect traffic data,so that traffic control systems can perform in an optimal,and cost-efficient manner.In this paper,We present a framework to assess traffic detection systems,by introducing the level of detection as value to allow for an objective comparison of multiple detector placement scenarios.The framework allows the usage of the framework for network operations,as well as planning purposes.By translating traffic operation goals into data demand functions,and detector capabilities,combined with their location,into data supply functions,it is possible to optimize detector locations with well know tools from operations research.The latter one is important,since it allows for including additional boundary conditions,such as costs.