1.

1 INTRODUCTION
In this laboratory activity, students are required to conduct a spot speed study by
recording the speeds of sample of vehicle at the specific location in order to estimate the
distribution of speeds of vehicles. Student is provided with the methodology and guidelines
for result and analysis to be presented in their report.

1.2 OBJECTIVES
1. To establish the speed distribution of a traffic stream at the specific site or called as basic
speed data
2. To determine vehicle speed percentiles via speed trend analysis, which are useful in speed
related decision making

1.3 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Spot speeds are the vehicle speed taken at the specific points along the road way
and the average of such speeds is referred to as time mean speed. A spot speed study is
carried out by recording the speed sample of vehicles at the specific location in order to
estimate the distribution of speed of vehicles.
Spot speed data have a number of safety applications, including determine speed
trends by systematic continuous speed studies, the measurements of traffic control device or
traffic programs effectiveness, the evaluation of speeding problems, assessing speed as
causal factor to crashes, investigate existing parameter in respect to the traffic operation and
control like speed limit, speed zone and the limit of no-passing zone, establishes and
evaluate the roadways geometric design for example sight distance elements and so forth.
Depending on the use of data, the observer must consider whether to collect speed
all vehicles, including platooned vehicles or only the speeds of unimpeded vehicles. It is
impossible to obtain a radar measurement for every vehicle under heavy traffic conditions.
One may collect all speeds during the peak period for the peak flow analysis whereas the
speed of unimpeded vehicle would be collected for assessing general speed trends or for
setting speed limits or assessing the impact of speed zone signing, there by off-peak
measurement (free-flowing traffic) are more appropriate.
Study duration of one hour or a sample size of at least 100 vehicles. Position the
radar meter according to procedure specified in the user manual.

1.4 APPARATUS AND PROCEDURES

1.4.1 APPARATUS
1. Radar speed meter
2. safety vest
3. Safety cone

1.4.2 PROCEDURES
1) necessary things and apparatus such as sufficient pens and pencils, radar meter
spot speed study data forms and clipboards, radar speed meters are in good
condition, read instructions and procedure for the used radar gun, obtain backup
battery, safety vests and others are being prepared
2) Study location are decided by selecting a straight and level road which represents
different traffic conditions.
3) Enumerators should arrive 30 minutes earliest at site in order to familiarize by
visual survey with it prior to select strategic location, distribute the equipment, fill in
the general information of the spot speed data recording forms that comprise the
observers name, time and date of study, name of site, posted speed limit and
weather condition and begin at the planned time.
4) Sketch the layout of the study area with the description of the chosen reference
points, position of observation, number of lanes and road class.
5) The enumerators, the radar unit and the station for speed data collection should be
inconspicuous where possible so that vehicular speeds are significantly not affected
by the data collection activities.
6) sample samples are randomly selected
7) The radar meter should be made as direct a line with oncoming traffic as possible,
meaning to make it as close to the roadway as possible (an exception when the
vehicle speeds considerably)
8) A slash is recorded on the speed data sheet corresponding to the speed observed
for each selected vehicles under appropriate vehicle-type classification.
9) Observe the vehicle speeds for 100 samples

1.5 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Data Collection:Time start : 9.25 a.m.

Location : Aman Sari Residence Resort

Time end : 9.59 a.m.

Weather : sunny

Clasification
vehicle
Car/taxi

of

Spot speed (km/hr)

75, 50, 38, 62, 57, 62, 27, 46,

52, 64, 68, 44, 45, 42, 63, 62,
43, 60
Motor
42, 51, 55, 54, 61, 71, 67, 61,
59, 39, 76, 63, 60, 56, 66, 53,
53, 44, 45, 80
Vans/light
good 40, 52, 66, 67, 42, 59, 67, 53,
vehicle
57, 56, 75
Medium good vehicle 45, 45, 54, 52, 22, 53, 52
Heavy good vehicle
46, 46, 52, 40, 19, 48, 16, 52
Busses
Pedal cycles
16

64, 50, 56, 63, 57, 54, 44,

36, 45, 57, 60, 36, 31, 38,

Number of
vehicles
32

47, 50, 74, 45, 69, 60, 59,

72, 65, 54, 62, 75, 66, 54,

34

62, 53, 62, 71, 57, 63, 52,

18
7
8
0
1

100

Min speed = 16 km/hr

Max speed = 80 km/hr

Traffic Composition
CAR/TAXI

8% 1%
7%

MOTOR
VAN/LIGHT GOOD
VEHICLES

32%

MEDIUM GOOD VEHICLE

18%

HEAVY GOOD VEHICLE

PEDAL CYCLE

34%

Speed
group
(km/hr)
10 - 19.9
20 - 29.9

Frequenc
y (f)

Mean
speed (v)

fv

% of
frequency

%
camulative

f (v-u)2

3
2

14.95
24.95

44.85
49.90

3
2

3
5

4704.48
1752.32

30 - 39.9
40 - 49.9
50 - 59.9
60 - 69.9
70 -79.9
80 - 89.9

6
20
33
27
8
1
N= 100

34.95
44.95
54.95
64.95
74.95
84.95

209.70
899.00
1813.35
1753.65
599.60
84.95
5455

6
20
33
27
8
1

11
31
64
91
99
100

2304.96
1843.20
5.28
2920.32
3329.28
924.16
17784

Arithmetic speed, U =

fv
N

N
f l
2
Median speed =L + [
fm

Standard deviation, s =

5455
100

= 54.55 km/hr

100
27
2
C ] = 50 + [
33

f ( vu) 2
N 1

Time Mean Speed (average spot speed) =

17784
1001

9.9 ] = 56.9 km/hr

= 13.40 km/hr

(total spot speed ) (no of vehicle)

5371/ 100 = 53.71 km/hr

Frequency vs Speed group

35
30
25
20
15
frequency

10
5
0

speed group (km/hr)

Modal speed = 54.95 km/hr

% of Frequency vs Mean speed

35
30
25
20
15
10

% of frequency

5
0

mean speed

Modal speed = 54.95 km/hr

5

% of camulative vs mean speed

120
100
80
60
40
% Camulative frequency

20
0

Mean speed

Design speed, P95 = 70.95 km/hr

Speed limit, P85 = 62.95 km/hr
Median speed, P50 = 50.95 km/hr
Disturbance, P15 = 35.95 km/hr

Standard deviation =

P85P 15
2

62.9535.95
2

= 13.5 km /hr

1.6 DISCUSSION
In this laboratory, the experiment was done at urban area near to Aman Sari
Residence Resort in Bandar Seri Alam which has two lanes of road for each direction . The
experiment was conducted by aiming the radar speed meter towards the vehicle and
recording the reading of speed that has been obtained from radar speed meter. The data was
recorded by deviding it to several types of vehicles. This experiment was coducted for about
31 minutes.
From the data obtained, we can see that the the number of spot speed data for motor
that passing the road was more than the data for car/taxi. This is because when the vehicles
are passing through simultaneously, its hard for us to take the reading of the vehicles
especially the car because they are moving fast. Using the data, we has calculate the value
of of arithmetic mean speed, median speed and standard deviation. Arithmetic mean speed,

fv
U was calculate using formula N

N
f l
, median speed using formula L + [ 2
fm

standard deviation was calculated using formula s =

Speed

(average

spot

sped)

was

f ( vu) 2
N 1

calculated

using

],

and Time Mean

formula

(total spot speed ) (no of vehicle) .

From the pie chart, we can see the percentage of type of vehicles that passing
through the road. In this experiment, we also has plotted three graph in order to find the
modal speed and standard deviation. The graph that we has plotted was histogram graph,
frequency distribution curve and Design speed and speed limit graph. From histogram graph
and frequency distribution graph, we has obtained the value of modal speed which is 54.95
km/hr. From the data the maximum speed was 80 km/hr while the minimum speed was 16
km/hr.
From the activity, there is an error occurred due to human error and systematic error
which for example, in this experiment we are needed to hide to make sure the drivers cannot
see that their speed is being taken. This is because, if the drivers see us they might slow
down their speed. Another error was while taking the reading, the reading might be not
accurate due to shaking hands, and othr movement at the area.

1.7 CONCLUSION
From this activity, what can be conclude here is the objective of the test which is
determine vehicle speed percentiles via speed trend analysis and to establish the speed
distribution of a traffic stream at the specific site was achieved by determining the spot speed
of vehicles travel by using radar speed meter.
The average speed of vehicles was 53.71 km/hr. This average speed was suitable with the
speed limit of the area which is 60 km/hr. One of the factors that affect the average speed at
this area was the condition of the road. There area few damage on the road that makes the
drivers to slow down their speed when passing through that area. Other than that, the road
are also near to a junction that.

Could compare the average speed of vehicles by using manual calculation and the
posted speed limit.

Could analyse and interpret the data thus understanding the given formula to solve
the problem.

Using the group creativity and innovativeness to give answers to the given
assignment.

Could understand and interpret the problem and ways & means regarding to the
specific objective.

An independent learning task among students by conducting the activity and

achieving the objective.

Could relate the result to existing theory and knowledge in discussion.

Gained an experience of conducting activity outside the laboratory.

A complete laboratory report is done based on the format.

Could analyse the errors and safety during conducting the activity.
8

Could understand the objective and achieved the objective regarding to the laboratory
activity of spot speed study.

1.8 REFERENCES
https://www.google.com/maps/@1.506154,103.8614957,15z
https://www.scribd.com/doc/49475682/Speed-Spot-Study-Lab-Report

1.9 APPENDICES

10