Traffic Surveys

(Department of Civil Engineering)

Institute of Technology, Nirma University
Contents
• Introduction
• Traffic volume studies
• Speed study
• Spot speed study
• Speed and delay studies

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 1.
Introduction

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What are Traffic Surveys?
Traffic surveys aim to capture data
that accurately reflects the real-world
traffic situation in the area. There are
many types of data that traffic surveys
collect. It may be counting the number
of vehicles using a road, speed of
vehicles or collecting journey time
information.

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Why Traffic Surveys?

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Why Traffic Surveys?

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Why Traffic Surveys?

On August 14, 2010, something unthinkable

happened in China. Beijing witnessed the longest
traffic jam in history, extending more than 100
kilometers and lasting 12 days

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Why Traffic Surveys?

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Why Traffic Surveys?
• Calibrating basic relationships or parameters. Fundamental measures,
such as perception reaction time, discharge headways at a signalized
intersection, headway and spacing relationships on freeways and other
uninterrupted flow facilities, and other key parameters and
relationships must be properly quantified and calibrated to existing
conditions

• Assessing the effectiveness of improvements. When improvements of

any kind are implemented, follow-up studies are needed to confirm
their effectiveness, and to allow for adjustments if all objectives are not
fully met.

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 Why Traffic Surveys?
• Assessing potential impacts. An essential part of traffic engineering is
the ability to predict and analyze projected traffic impacts of new
developments and to provide traffic input to air pollution models.

• Evaluating facility or system performance. All traffic facilities and

systems must be periodically studied to determine whether they are
delivering the intended quantity and quality of access and/or mobility
service to the public.

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Objectives
The objectives of data collected in traffic
studies are used as follows:

▷ For establishment of and updating design

standards.
▷ To analyze traffic characteristics
▷ Deciding geometric design features
▷ Traffic control for safe and efficient
movement

Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2016/5/9/ask-r-
moses-how-do-traffic-counts-work
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Types of Traffic Studies

▷ Based on characteristics of traffic in

transit:
○ Traffic volume studies
○ Speed studies
○ Origin and Destination studies

▷ Based on land use movement:

○ Parking studies
○ Accident studies

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Source: https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/ref_mats/ePrimer_modules/module3.cfm
 2.
Traffic Volume Study

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Volume, demand and capacity..
• If traffic distributed itself uniformly
amongst the 365 X 24 = 8,760 hours of
the year, there is not a location in the
“volume is what is, nation that would experience congestion
or significant delay.
demand is what • The problem for traffic engineers is that
motorists would like there are strong peaks during a typical
to be, and capacity is day, fueled primarily by commuters
going to and from work.
the physical limit of • Depending upon the specific region and
what is possible. ” location, the peak hour of the day
typically contains from 10 to 15% of the
24-hour volume.

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 Volume, demand and capacity..
if vehicles were counted at any defined location for one hour:

Volume would be the number of vehicles counted passing the study

location in the hour.

Demand would be the volume plus the vehicles of motorists wishing to

pass the site during the study hour who were prevented from doing so by
congestion.

Capacity would be the maximum volume that could be accommodated by

the highway at the study location.

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Volume parameters
1. Volume is the number of vehicles (or persons) passing a point during a
specified time period, which is usually one hour.

2. Rate of flow is the rate at which vehicles (or persons) pass a point
during a specified time period less than one hour, expressed as an
equivalent hourly rate.

3. Demand is the number of vehicles (or persons) that desire to travel past
a point during a specified period (also usually one hour). Demand is
frequently higher than actual volumes where congestion exists.

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Volume parameters
4. Capacity is the maximum rate at which vehicles can traverse a point or
short segment during a specified time period. It is a characteristic of the
roadway. Actual volume can never be observed at levels higher than the
true capacity of the section.

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Traffic volume

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 Useful to establish:
Traffic volume is the number Importance of any route
of vehicles crossing a section
of road per unit time at any Fluctuations in flow

selected period.
Distribution of traffic in road system

Capacity requirements and geometric

design of roads and terminals

Structural Design
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Scope of traffic volume studies

Design

Planning

Improvement

Computing Accident Rates

Estimating Highway Use

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Passenger Car Unit- PCU
▪ To describe the entire traffic flow on a highway per unit
time, the flow of various vehicle classes must be
converted into a single standard vehicle type
▪ Passenger Car Unit is a vehicle unit or car unit used to
measure the rate of traffic flow on highway.
▪ PCU is a measure of number of vehicles moving on a
highway at a given point of time.
▪ In some instances, PCU is referred to as Passenger Car
Equivalent (PCE).
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Passenger Car Unit- PCU

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Passenger Car Unit (PCU)

Type of Vehicle PCU

Car, taxi, pick up 1

Cycle, motor cycle 0.5

Bus, truck 3

Horse drawn cart 4

Bullock cart 6

Bullock cart (large) 8

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Method of traffic volume studies

▪ Manual count-
▪ Mechanical count-
Pressure sensitive detectors (Pneumatic tube)
Electronic detectors

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Method of traffic volume studies

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Method of traffic volume studies

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Method of traffic volume studies

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Method of traffic volume studies

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Method of traffic volume studies

▪ Portable recorders-
▪ Moving car observer method-

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 Presentation of Traffic Volume data
▪ Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT): The average 24-hour traffic
volume at a given location over a full 365-day year.

▪ Average Daily Traffic (ADT): An average 24-hour traffic volume at a

given location for some period of time less than a year. It may be
measured for six months, a season, a month, a week, or as little as two
days. An ADT is a valid number only for the period over which it was
measured

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Thirtieth (30th) highest hourly
volume or the design hourly volume
is found from the plot between
hourly volume and the number of
hours in a year that the traffic
volume is exceeded. The 30th
highest hourly volume is the hourly
volume that is exceeded only 29
times in a year and all other hourly
volumes will be less than this value.

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 Problem 1
▪ The table shows the volumetric data observed
at an intersection. Calculate the peak hour
volume, peak hour factor (PHF), and the actual
(design) flow rate for this approach

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 Solution
▪ We can locate the hour with the highest volume and the 15 minute interval with
the highest volume. The peak hour is shown in red below with the peak 15
minute period shown in bold font.
▪ The peak hour volume is just the sum of the volumes of the four 15 minute
intervals within the peak hour (219). The peak 15 minute volume is 65 in this
case.
▪ The peak hour factor (PHF) is found by dividing the peak hour volume by four
times the peak 15 minute volume. PHF = 219/(4×65) = 0.84.
▪ The actual (design) flow rate can be calculated by dividing the peak hour volume
by the PHF, 219/0.84 = 260 vehicles/hr, or by multiplying the peak 15 minute
volume by four, 4 × 65 = 260 vehicles per hour.

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 3.
Speed Studies

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As speed defines the distance
travelled by user in a given time. 1. Spot speed Instantaneous speed of a
In other words speed of vehicle at any specific location.
movement is the ratio of distance 2. Running speed Average speed
travelled to time of travel. The maintained over a particular course.
actual speed of traffic flow over a 3. Journey speed This is the effective
given route may fluctuated speed of the vehicle on a journey
widely, as because at each time between two points. The distance
between two points divided by the
the volume of traffic varies.
total time taken for the vehicle to
Accordingly, speeds are generally complete the journey, it includes all
classified into three main delay.
categories:

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 Speed
Studies

Spot Speed Speed and

Study Delay Study

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 3.1
Spot Speed Study

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Spot Speed Study:
▷ to use in planning traffic control
▷ to use in geometric design
▷ to use in accident studies
▷ to study the traffic capacity
▷ to decide the speed trends
▷ to compare the diverse types of drivers
and vehicles under specified conditions.

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 Methods of measuring spot speed:
▪ Pavement markings

▪ Enoscope or mirror box

▪ Road detector (Pressure strips)

▪ Radar Speedometer

▪ Photography

Source: https://www.gta5-mods.com/scripts/speed-radar
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 Presentation of spot speed data:
▷ Average Spot Speed: - From the spot speed data of selected samples,
frequency distribution table is prepared by arranging speed groups (such as
10-20 kMph, 20-30, 30-40…etc.) and number of vehicles in each speed
range. The arithmetic mean of the measured speeds is taken as the ‘Average
Spot Speed’ of all the vehicles in the stream.

▷ Frequency Distribution Diagram: A graph is plotted with the average value

of each speed group on X-axis and percentage of vehicles on Y-axis.

▷ The peak value of travel speed is denoted by ‘Modal Speed’.

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Presentation of spot speed data:

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Presentation of spot speed data:

Upper speed limit for regulation – 85th percentile speed

Lower speed limit for regulation – 15th percentile speed
Speed to check geometric design elements – 98th percentile speed

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 Presentation of spot speed data:

Determine the most preferred speed from the data below

Speed Range No of speed Speed Range No of speed
(kmph) observations (kmph) observations

0-10 0 50-60 216

10-20 11 60-70 68

20-30 30 70-80 24

30-40 105 80-90 0

40-50 233

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Speed Range Mean Speed Frequency, f Percent
(kmph) (kmph) Frequency

0-10 5 0 0.0

10-20 15 11 1.6

20-30 25 30 4.4

30-40 35 105 15.3

40-50 45 233 33.9

50-60 55 216 31.4

60-70 65 68 9.9

70-80 75 24 3.5

80-90 85 0 0.0

TOTAL 687 100.0

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▷ Plot frequency distribution curve , using mean speed on X axis and percent
frequency on Y axis.
▷ Most preferred speed at which maximum proportion of vehicles travel is the
modal speed corresponding to peak value of frequency which is obtained
from the plotted graph.
▷ Answer- 47 kmph

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 3.2
Speed & Delay Study

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What is speed & delay study?
➢ A speed and delay study determines the average time required and amount of
delay caused on a given route.
➢ Delay is the extra time spent by drivers against their expectation.
➢ Data obtained from speed and delay studies give a good indication of the level
of service on the study section.
➢ These data aids the traffic engineer in identifying locations like presence of
intersections, which may require special attention in order to improve the
overall flow of traffic on the route.

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Methods of speed & delay study:

▪ Floating Car or Riding Check Method

▪ Liscence Plate or Vehicle Number Method
▪ Interview Technique
▪ Elevated Observations
▪ Photographic Technique

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Floating Car or Riding Check Method
▪ Test vehicle is driven over a given route of travel at
approximately the average speed of the stream.
▪ A group of observers are seated in the test vehicle to record
various observations during the test run.
▪ One observer with two stop watches is seated, one stop watch
is used to record the time of arrival of test car at various
control points such as intersections, bridges etc.
▪ Another observer notes the time, location and cause of delay.
▪ No of vehicles overtaking and being overtaken are noted.
▪ No of vehicles travelling in opposite direction are also noted.

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Floating Car or Riding Check Method
t= tw –ny/q
q= (na+ny)/(ta+tw)

t = average journey time (min)

q = flow of vehicles (volume per min) in one direction
tw =Average journey time when test vehicle is travelling with the stream
ny = Average no of vehicles overtaking the test vehicle minus the overtaken vehicles
when test vehicle travels in the direction of stream
na = Average number of vehicles counted in the direction of stream when test vehicle
travels in opposite direction of stream
ta = Average journey time when test vehicle is travelling against the stream
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Q. The consolidated data from speed and delay studies by floating car
method on a stretch of urban road of length 3.5 km running North-South are
given below. Determine the average values of
(i) Volume
(ii) Journey Speed
(iii) Running speed
Of the traffic along each direction.

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Trip No Direction Journey Total No. of No of No of
of Trip Time Stopped vehicles vehicles vehicles
Min-Sec delay, overtaking overtaken from
Min- sec opposite
direction
1 N-S 6-32 1-40 4 7 286

2 S-N 7-14 1-50 5 3 186

3 N-S 6-50 1-30 5 3 280

4 S-N 7-40 2-00 2 1 200

5 N-S 6-10 1-10 3 5 250

6 S-N 8-00 2-22 2 2 170

7 N-S 6-28 1-40 2 5 290

8 S-N 7-30 1-40 3 2 160

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Direction Journey Stopped No. of No of No of
Time delay, vehicles vehicles vehicles
Min-Sec Min- sec overtaking overtaken from
opposite
direction

N-S 6-32 1-40 4 7 286

6-50 1-30 5 3 280

6-10 1-10 3 5 250

6-28 1-40 2 5 290

Total 26-00 6-00 14 20 1106
Mean 6-30 1-30 3.5 5.0 276.5

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Direction Journey Stopped No.of No of No of
Time delay, vehicles vehicles vehicles
Min-Sec Min- sec overtaking overtaken from
opposite
direction

S-N 7-14 1-50 5 3 186

7-40 2-00 2 1 200

8-00 2-22 2 2 170

7-30 1-40 3 2 160

Total 30-24 7-52 12 8 716
Mean 7-36 1-58 3.0 2.0 179

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a. For North South Direction

Ny = average no of vehicles overtaking minus overtaken = 3.5- 5.0 = -1.5

Na = Average no of vehicles during trips in opposite direction (for S-N
direction) = 179
Tw= average journey time with the stream = 6 min 30 sec = 6.5 min
Ta = average journey time during trips against the stream = 7 min 36 sec =7.6
min

Average volume , q= (na + ny)/(ta+tw) = 12.59 veh/min

Average Journey time, t = tw-(ny/q)= 6.5 – [(-1.5)/12.59] = 6.62 min

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Average journey speed = 3.5/6.62 km/min = 31.7 kmph
Average stopped delay = 1.5 min
Average running time = average journey time – average stopped delay
= 6.62-1.50 = 5.12 min
Average running speed = (3.5 X 60)/ 5.12 = 41 kmph

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a. For South North Direction

Ny = average no of vehicles overtaking minus overtaken = 3-2= 1

Na = Average no of vehicles during trips in opposite direction (for N-S direction)
= 276
Tw= average journey time with the stream = 7.6 min
Ta = average journey time during trips against the stream = 6.5 min

Average volume , q= (na + ny)/(ta+tw) = 19.36 veh/min

Average Journey time, t = tw-(ny/q)= 7.55 min
Average journey speed = 27.8 kmph
Average stopped delay = 1.8 min
Average running time = average journey time – average stopped delay
= 7.55-1.80 = 5.75 min
Average running speed = (3.5 X 60)/ 5.75 = 36.5 kmph
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 1.
Origin and Destination
Study

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Method of O & D studies

• Roadside Interview Method

• Liscense Plate Method
• Return Postcard Method
• Tag on Car Method
• Home Interview Method
• Work-spot Interview Method
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What is Origin and Destination (O & D) study?

O stands from Origin (where OD studies are conducted to

you start the travel from) and understand the pattern of the
D stands for destination movement of Persons and
(where the travel ends). If you goods in a particular area
starting from home and reach during a particular time
your office - Home is your period.
origin and Office is your
destination.

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Need of O & D Studies:

To judge the adequacy of existing routes and for the planning

of new network of roads.
To plan transportation system and mass transit facilities in
cities.

To locate expressways or major routes along the desired lines.

To establish by-passes.

To locate new bridge sites.

To locate intermediate stops of public transport.

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Presentation of O & D data

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Presentation of O & D data

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 SUMMARY

▪ Traffic surveys are used to collect data which are further used
in planning, designing and improvement of transportation
infrastructure facilities.
▪ Traffic volume is the number of vehicles crossing a section of
road per unit time. 30th highest hourly volume is used in design
purposes.
▪ Speed studies are categorized into spot speed study and speed
& delay study.
▪ 85th percentile speed is the safe speed limit and 98th percentile
speed is used as design speed in highways.

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Thanks!
Dr. Prachi Kushwaha
[email protected]

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