2.

Traffic volume count

survey
1.INTRODUCTION:
Traffic volume can be defined as the number of vehicles or pedestrians
passing as a given point on a lane or carriageway during a specified period
of time .Traffic volume studies are widely known as traffic counts and they
are carried out to determine the basic traffic data such as the number,
classifications, and directional movements of roadway vehicles and
pedestrians at a selected location. the various volume counts taken over
different lengths of time are usually expressed in vehicles per
hour(vph).other traffic volume characteristics obtained are average annual
vehicle miles of travel(VMT).for example, an intersection count maybe
conducted during the peak flow period. manual count with 30minute
intervals could be used to obtain the traffic volume data.

2. Aim: To determine the basic traffic data such as number classifications

and directional movements of roadway vehicles and pedestrians at a
selected location.

3. Apparatus: Stopwatch, field data, clipboard ,safety jacket ,mechanical

hand counter.

3.Theory:
A traffic study is conducted to evaluate the transportation system serving an
area and to identify any improvements necessary to accomadate existing or
projected traffic volumes.

3.1.Definitions:

ADT :Average daily traffic or ADT,and sometimes also mean daily traffic,is
the average number of vehicles two way passing a specified point in a 24-
hour period,normally measured throughout a year.
AADT:Annual average daily traffic abbreviated AADT,is a measure used
primarily in transportation planning and transportation enginnering.it is the
total volume of vehicle traffic of a highway or road for a year divided by
365days.it is also sometimes reported as “average annual daily traffic”.

Hourly expansion factor(HEF):Total 24hours volume/volume for particular

hour

Daily expansion factor(DEF):Avg total weekly volume/avg volume for

particular day

Monthly expansion factor(MEF):AADT/ADT for particular month

3.2Counting method:
Two methods are available for conducting traffic volume counts:

1.manual 2.automatic

3.2.1 Manual count method:

Most applications of manual counts require small samples of data at any
given location .manual counts are necessary when automatic equipment is
not available .normal intervals for a manual count are 5,10,or 30minutes
manual counts are recorded using one of three methods:1.tally
sheets2.mechanical counting boards 3.electronic counting boards.

1.Tally sheets:Recording data onto tally sheets is the simplest means of

conduting manual counts.the data can be recorded with a tick mark on a
prepreapared field form.a watch or stopwatch is necessary to measure the
desired count interval.

2.Mechanical counting boards: Mechanical count boads consist of

counters mounted on a board that record each direction of travel.common
counts include prdestian,bicycle,vehicle classification,and traffic volume
counts.a watch or a stopwatch is also necessary with this method to
measure the desired count interval.

3.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.the data can also be downloaded
to a computer,which saves time.

3.2.2.Automatic count method:Automatic counts are usually taken

in 1 hour intervals for each 24hour period.the counts may extend for a
week,month,or a year.when the counts are recorded for each 24 hour time
period,the peak flow period can be identified.automatic counts are recorded
using one of three methods:1.portable counters 2.permenant counters
3.videotape

1.portable counters:portable counting is a form of manual

observation.portble counters serve the same purpose as manual counts ,the
portable counter method is mainly used for 24hour counts.

2.permenant counters:permenant 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 ver a long period of time.

3.videotape:Observers can record count data by videotaping

traffic.traffic volumes can be counted by viewing videotapes recorded with a
camera at a collecton site.a digital clock in the video image can prove useful
in noting time intervals.

4.Procedure:
1.Necessary preparations such as an accurate watch is performed and the
correct time was set,sufficient pens,field data forms and
clipboards,mechanical hand counters that are in good condition,safety vests
and others.

2.Enumerators were arrived 30minutes earlier at the site in order to

familiarize with location,distribute the equipment,fill in the general
information of the daily forms that comprised of sheet number,station
ID,enumerators name,date,weather condition and time to start or finish

3.Enumerators have to do field measurements in order to define existing

geometric dimension for the intersection under study.the layout of the
intersection was sketched and dimensioned.
4..The current traffic movements were identified and begun at the planned
time.proper observers position was selected so that they can see
clearly,safely,and easily count the traffic

5..The counting is done at each lane of each intersection approach for

volume conditions.

6.The data is checked before leaving the field.

5. Data collection:

5.1:Date and time:

5.2:Weather condition:

5.3:Location:

5.4 Observation:

5.5:Method and equipment:

5.6 Number of enumerators:

5.7 DATA COLLECTION TABLE:

TIME GROUP BUS TRUCK MC CAR JEEP PICKUP AMBC MB TOTAL AR SPT TOTALVEHICLES
TIME GROUP BUS TRUCK MC CAR JEEP PICKUP AMBC MB TOTAL AR SPT TOTALVEHICLES

6.Analysis of data:
EXPERIMENT ON TRAFFIC VOLUME
COUNT SURVEY
 Reported by

M.TECH(TRANPORTATION ENGINEERING)

RESULT:
CONCLUSION: