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A STUDY ON TRAFFIC VOLUME

C.Bhavana 1 and K.T.Radha Sumithra2
e-mail: bhavanachakra@gmail.com

Intellectual Engineering College, Civil Engg. Dept, Anantapur, Andhra pradesh, India

ABSTRACT:

The road traffic is composed of various categories of vehicular traffic and the pedestrian’s
traffic. Traffic studies or surveys are carried out to analyse the traffic characteristics. The traffic
volume studies are used in planning, operation and control the traffic. Classified volume study is
useful in design of pavements and computing roadway capacities. In this paper the various
method of controlling traffic and traffic volume studies are discussed. Controlling the traffic
volume is the most important thing in designing the roads without any accident occurrence is the
main aim in this study.

1. INTRODUCTION:

Traffic volume studies are conducted to determine the number, movements, and
classifications of roadway vehicles at a given location. These data can help identify critical flow
time periods, determine the influence of large vehicles or pedestrians on vehicular traffic flow, or
document traffic volume trends. The length of the sampling period depends on the type of count
being taken and the intended use of the data recorded. Traffic volume is the number of vehicles
crossing a section of road per unit time at any selected period. Traffic volume is used as a
quantity measure of flow, the commonly used units are vehicles per day and vehicles per hour. A
complete traffic volume study may include the classified volume study by recording the volume
of various types and classes of traffic, the distribution by direction and turning movements and
the distribution on different lanes per unit time.

2. SIGINIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The traffic volume study gives a true measure of the relative importance of the roads and
their improvement and expansion. By the study of the traffic volume we can plan, operate and
control existing facilities in traffic. Based on the traffic volume intersections, signal timings and
all other control devices are designed. Controlling the traffic volume is the most important thing
in designing the roads without any accident occurrence is the main aim of this study.

In order to have safe traffic operation on roads, it is essential to impose adequate traffic
regulations and traffic volume control devices. Some of them are discussed in this study. The
traffic volume counts may be done by mechanical counters or manually and the data collected
during the studies are sorted out and in annual average daily traffic, trend charts, traffic flow
maps and flow diagram at intersections.
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3. TRAFFIC VOLUME COUNTS :

Two methods are available for conducting traffic volume counts: (1) manual and (2)
automatic. Manual counts are typically used to gather data for determination of vehicle
classification, turning movements, direction of travel, pedestrian movements, or vehicle
occupancy. Automatic counts are typically used to gather data for determination of vehicle
hourly patterns, daily or seasonal variations and growth trends, or annual traffic estimates.

(1) MANUAL COUNT METHOD

Most applications of manual counts require small samples of data at any given location.
Manual counts are sometimes used when the effort and expense of automated equipment are not
justified. Manual counts are necessary when automatic equipment is not available. Manual
counts are typically used for periods of less than a day. Normal intervals for a manual count are
5, 10, or 15 minutes. Traffic counts during a Monday morning rush hour and a Friday evening
rush hour may show exceptionally high volumes and are not normally used in analysis; therefore,
counts are usually conducted on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

i) Manual Count Recording Methods: Manual counts are recorded using one of three methods:
tally sheets, mechanical counting boards, or electronic counting boards.

ii) Tally Sheets: Recording data onto tally sheets is the simplest means of conducting manual
counts. The data can be recorded with a tick mark on a pre-prepared field form. A watch or
stopwatch is necessary to measure the desired count interval.

iii) Mechanical Counting Boards: Mechanical count boards consist of counters mounted on a
board that record each direction of travel. Common counts include pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle
classification, and traffic volume counts. Typical counters are push button devices with three to
five registers. Each button represents a different stratification of type of vehicle or pedestrian
being counted. The limited number of buttons on the counter can restrict the number of
classifications that can be counted on a given board. A watch or a stopwatch is also necessary
with this method to measure the desired count interval. See Fig 1 for an example mechanical
counting board.

iv) Electronic Counting Boards: Electronic counting boards are battery-operated, hand-held
devices used in collecting traffic count data. They are similar to mechanical counting boards, but
with some important differences. Electronic counting boards are lighter, more compact, and
easier to handle. They have an internal clock that automatically separates the data by time
interval. Special functions include automatic data reduction and summary. The data can also be
downloaded to a computer, which saves time. See Fig 2 for an example electronic counting
board.
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Fig 1. Mechanical Counting Board Fig 2. Electronic Counting Board

(2) AUTOMATIC COUNT METHOD

The automatic count method provides a means for gathering large amounts of traffic data.
Automatic counts are usually taken in 1-hour intervals for each 24-hour period. The counts may
extend for a week, month, or year. When the counts are recorded for each 24-hour time period,
the peak flow period can be identified.

i)Automatic Count Recording Methods: Automatic counts are recorded using one of three
methods: portable counters, permanent counters, and videotape.

ii)Portable Counters: Portable counting is a form of manual observation. Portable counters serve
the same purpose as manual counts but with automatic counting equipment. The period of data
collection using this method is usually longer than when using manual counts. The portable
counter method is mainly used for 24-hour counts. Pneumatic road tubes are used to conduct this
method of automatic counts (see Fig 3). Specific information pertaining to pneumatic road tubes
can be found in the users’ manual.

Fig 3. Pneumatic Road Tube and Recorder

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iii) Permanent Counters: Permanent counters are used when long-term counts are to be
conducted. The counts could be performed every day for a year or more. The data collected may
be used to monitor and evaluate traffic volumes and trends over a long period of time. Permanent
counters are not a cost-effective option in most situations. Few jurisdictions have access to this
equipment.

iv) Videotape: Observers can record count data by videotaping traffic. Traffic volumes can be
counted by viewing videotapes recorded with a camera at a collection site. A digital clock in the
video image can prove useful in noting time intervals. Videotaping is not a cost-effective option
in most situations. Few small jurisdictions have access to this equipment.

4. TRAFFIC VOLUM CONTROLE :

The traffic volume can be controlled by adopting traffic regulations covering control of
vehicles, driver and all other road users. Traffic regulations and traffic laws give legal coverage
for strict enforcement. The regulation includes driving licenses control by following the rules of
Road Transport Authorities (RTA) and vehicle regulation with certificate issued by RTA for
vehicle registration and flow regulation like directions, turning and overtaking etc.

The various aids and devices used to control, regulate and guide traffic may be called
traffic control devices. The most common traffic control devices are signs, signals, markings and
islands.

1) Traffic Signs:
The traffic signs should be backed by law in order to make them useful and effective.
Traffic signs have been divided into three categories according to Indian motor vehicle Act and
these are i) regulatory sings ii) warning signs iii) informatory signs.
a) Regulatory Signs: regulatory or mandatory sings are meant to inform the road users of
certain laws, regulations and prohibitions. The violation of these signs is a legal offence.
The Fig.4 shows some of the regulatory signs.

No right turn No left turn No u turn No pedestrian No bicycles

Fig.4 show the Regulatory Signs

b) Warning sings: warning or cautionary signs are used to warn the road users of certain
hazardous conditions that exist on or adjacent to the road way. The warning sings are in
the shape of equilateral triangle with its apex pointing upwards. They have a white back
ground, red border and black symbols. Some of the warning signs are shown in Fig.5.
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Lef hand curve side rod right Narrow road ahead cross road falling rock
Fig.5 show the Warning Signs

c) Informatory signs: These signs are used to guide the road users along routes, inform them
of destination and distance and provide with information to make travel easier, safe and
pleasant. The Fig.6 shows the informatory signs.

Direction Sign First aid post Parking this both sides

Fig.6 show the Informatory Signs

2) Traffic Signals:
Traffic signals are control devices which could alternately direct the traffic to stop and
proceed at intersections using red and green traffic light signals automatically. The factors to be
considered are the volume of traffic entering the intersection and its crossing movements. The
signals are classified into three types, that are i) traffic control signals ii) pedestrian signal iii)
special traffic signal. The Fig.7 shows a typical signal head and additional signals showing green
lights for separate movements of turning traffic may also be provided where necessary.

STOP & WAIT GET READY GO

Fig.7 show the Traffic Signals

3) Road Marking:
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The road or traffic markings are made using paints in contrast with colour and brightness
of the pavement or other back ground. Light reflecting paints are also commonly used for traffic
marking.
The road markings are classified as a) pavement markings b) kerb markings c) object
markings and d) reflector unit markings.

Fig.8 Centre Barrier Line Marking For A Four Lane Road

Pavement or carriage way markings may generally be of white paint. Yellow colour markings are
used to indicate parking restrictions and for the continuous center line and barrier line markings.
Longitudinal solid lines are used as guiding or regulating lines and are not meant to be crossed
by the driver. Transverse solid lines indicate the position of stop lines for vehicular traffic.Fig.8
shows the Centre Barrier Line Marking for a Four Lane Road.

Kerb markings may indicate certain regulations like parking regulations. Also the
markings on the kerb and edges of islands with alternate black and white line increase the
visibility from a long distance.

Object markings indicate physical obstruction on or near the roadway are hazardous and hence
should be properly marked. Typical obstructions are supports for bridge, signs and signals, level
crossing gates, traffic islands, narrow bridges, culvert head walls.

Reflector unit markings are used as hazard markers and guide markers for safe driving
during night. Hazard markers reflecting yellow light should be visible from a long distance of
about 150m.

4) Traffic Islands:
The traffic islands are raised areas constructed with in the roadway to establish physical
channels through which the vehicular traffic may be guided. The traffic islands based on function
are divided into four types and there are i) divisional islands ii) channelizing islands iii)
pedestrian loading islands iv) rotary. Fig.9 shows a typical traffic island.
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Fig.9 shows a typical traffic island.

5. SUMMARY:

I. Traffic volume studies gives the quantity measure of flow, the commonly used units are
vehicles per day and vehicles per hour.

II. The manual counts gives the classified count where as automatic counts gives the counts
round the clock and accurate.

III. In order to have safe traffic operation on roads, it is essential to impose adequate traffic
regulations and traffic volume control devices.

IV. The various aids and devices used to control, regulate and guide traffic may be called
traffic control devices. The most common traffic control devices are signs, signals,
markings and islands.

6. REFERNCES:

1) Highway Engineering by C.E.G.Justo and S.K.Khanna.

2) Traffic Engineering and Transport planning by Dr.L.R.Kadiyala.

3) IRC:67-2001, Code of Practice for Road Signs.