Volume Studies in

Transportation
Engineering
Group 1A-4
Introduction
Volume Studies in Transportation Engineering

Volume studies are a crucial component of

transportation engineering. They involve analyzing
the number of vehicles, pedestrians, or other traffic
units passing a point on a roadway over a specific
period.
Introduction
Volume Studies in Transportation Engineering

These studies are pivotal in aiding engineers in

traffic management, road design, and overall
transportation planning.

By understanding traffic patterns and volumes,

engineers can make informed decisions to improve
safety and efficiency.
 Purpose of Volume Studies
1 2 3

Traffic Flow Infrastructure

Characteristics Capacity Analysis
Planning
Volume studies help They evaluate whether a These studies inform the
understand peak and off- roadway or intersection design of roadways,
peak hours, congestion can handle current and intersections, and parking
levels, and demand future traffic loads. This facilities, ensuring that
patterns. This information ensures that infrastructure is designed
is crucial for identifying infrastructure is adequate efficiently and effectively.
bottlenecks and planning to meet the demands of
for traffic management the population.
strategies.
METHODOLOGY
1. Manual Count
Manual counts involve human
observers who physically count
vehicles, pedestrians, or bicycles at a
specific location. These are commonly
used when automated equipment is not
available or when detailed
classifications are required.
 Manual Count

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Can classify complex Labor-intensive and prone to
movements and vehicle types human error.
accurately.
Not practical for long-term or
Cost-effective for short-duration high-traffic conditions.
studies.
Weather and visibility conditions
Useful for pedestrian and bicycle may affect accuracy.
counts.
2. Automated Count
Automatic methods uses sensors,
detectors, and advanced technologies
to continuously record traffic data.
These methods provide more accurate
and large-scale traffic information.
 Automated Count

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

High accuracy, which reduces Expensive installation and

human error and ensures maintenance.
consistency.
Rain, fog, and lighting affect
Works 24/7 for real time video and LiDAR accuracy.
monitoring.
Power loss or network issues
Less manpower needed, lower may cause data gaps.
labor costs.
Sensors require calibration and
upkeep.
3. Permanent Traffic Counters
These systems continuously monitor
traffic flow over extended periods,
typically installed at key locations on
highways and arterial roads.
 Permanent Traffic Counters

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Provides continuous, long-term Higher initial installation cost.

data for trend analysis.
Requires regular maintenance.
Helps in traffic forecasting and
infrastructure planning.
4. Moving Car Observer
Method
This method involves a surveyor
traveling in a test vehicle through a
traffic stream to estimate flow
characteristics.
 Moving Car Observer Method

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Useful in urban areas with Results can be affected by the

irregular traffic flow. driving style of the observer
vehicle.
Cost-effective for mid-sized road
networks. Not suitable for high-speed
highways.
5. Drone and Aerial Surveys
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or
drones capture traffic movement from
above, providing a bird’s-eye view of
traffic flow.
 Drone and Aerial Surveys

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Provides wide-area coverage. Weather conditions (rain, fog)

can affect visibility.
Useful for monitoring large
intersections and complex road Regulatory restrictions on drone
networks. usage in certain areas.

Can be used for construction Requires skilled personnel for

monitoring and accident studies. operation and data analysis.
DEVICES TO BE
USED
Manual Count
Hand Tally Counters
Small mechanical or digital devices with a button for each count.
Used for short-duration studies (e.g., 15-minute or hourly counts).
Suitable for pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle classification counts.

Mobile Applications and Tablets

Traffic count apps (e.g., "CountThings", "Road Traffic Counter") allow
observers to record data.
Digital storage and export features reduce human error.
Manual Count
Hand Tally Counters Mobile Applications and Tablets
Automated Devices
Pneumatic Tube Counters
Rubber tubes placed across the road record vehicle passages through
air pressure changes.
Useful for short-term traffic volume and speed studies.
Low-cost but not suitable for multilane highways.

Video-Based Counters
Cameras record traffic movements for post-processing.
AI-based software detects and classifies vehicles.
Used at intersections and for complex movement studies.
Automated Devices
Pneumatic Tube Counters Video-Based Counters
Permanent Traffic Counters
Inductive Loops
Embedded in the pavement to detect metallic objects (vehicles).
Provides real-time traffic counts and vehicle classification.
Commonly used at signalized intersections and highways.

Magnetometers
Detect changes in the earth’s magnetic field caused by passing
vehicles.
Wireless and easy to install.
Used for long-term monitoring.
Permanent Traffic Counters
Inductive Loops Magnetometers
Drone and Aerial Surveys
Drone or UAV-Based Cameras

Captures aerial views of traffic movements for volume

analysis.

Useful for large intersections, parking studies, and

pedestrian movement analysis.
Drone and Aerial Surveys
Drone or UAV-Based Cameras
FORMULA USED
Average Daily Traffic (ADT)
Represents the total number of vehicles passing a point on a road over a
given period, usually a day.

Formula:

Where:

The purpose of Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is to measure the total volume
of vehicle traffic on a roadway over a day, helping in roadway design,
capacity analysis, and traffic management planning.
Example:

Suppose a highway segment records the following vehicle counts over seven
days:

Monday: 12,500
Tuesday: 13,200
Wednesday: 12,800
Thursday: 13,500
Friday: 15,000
Saturday: 18,200
Sunday: 16,800

ADT= (12,500+13,200+12,800+13,500+15,000+18,200+16,800)/7
ADT= 102,000/7
ADT= 14,571

This means, on average, 14,571 vehicles travel on this highway segment daily.
Peak Hour Factor (PHF)
The PHF helps in analyzing the concentration of traffic during the busiest
hour.

Formula:

Where:

The purpose of Peak Hour Factor (PHF) is to measure the variation in traffic
flow during the peak hour, helping in traffic signal design, capacity
analysis, and congestion management.
Example:

if a roadway records 4,000 vehicles in one peak hour, but the highest 15-
minute volume within that hour is 1,200 vehicles

PHF= 4000/4*1200
PHF= 4000/4800
PHF= 0.83

A PHF of 0.83 indicates that traffic demand is concentrated in a short

period
PRESENTATION
OF RESULTS
Geographic Map and Heat
Map
Displays volume data on GIS-based
maps.
Uses color gradients to indicate high
and low traffic density.
Colors transition from blue (low traffic) to red
(high congestion).
Some maps also use black or dark red for
extreme congestion.
Traffic Flow Diagram
Graphically represent vehicle
movement at intersections.
Includes arrows showing traffic
direction and volume at each leg of an
intersection.

Intersection Flow Diagram (Turning Movement Diagram)

Traffic Flow Diagram
Represents the number of vehicles
turning left, right, or going straight at an
intersection.
Typically includes arrows and numerical
values.
Used for signal design, roundabout
feasibility, and lane markings.

Intersection Flow Diagram (Turning Movement Diagram)

Cumulative Volume Curves
Plots cumulative vehicle count over
time.
Used to determine peak hour traffic
and capacity analysis.
APPLICATIONS
Applications of Volume Studies in Transportation
Engineering
1. Roadway Design and Capacity Analysis
Determines the number of lanes required for highways and urban roads.
Helps in pavement design by estimating vehicle loads.
Assists in geometric design, including lane width and intersection
layout.
2. Traffic Signal Design and Optimization
Helps in setting signal timings based on peak-hour traffic.
Determines the need for traffic signals, roundabouts, or stop signs.
Reduces congestion and delay at intersections.
Applications of Volume Studies in Transportation
Engineering
3. Transportation Planning
Supports long-term infrastructure planning by predicting future traffic
growth.
Used in designing bypass roads, flyovers, and expressways.
Assists in land use planning by analyzing traffic demand.
4. Accident Planning
Identifying correlations between traffic volumes and accident occurrences
helps in implementing targeted safety interventions. ​
Thank You!