Following are the techniques for collecting data in volume studies
1. Manual counting methods
2. Portable mechanical counters 3. Miscellaneous methods MANUAL COUNTING METHOD Manual counting is used for short duration less than 8 to 10 hours The data obtained from manual counting is very accurate Counting is done by a field team
Suitable site is selected for counting the
volume Observers observe the vehicle passing the selected point and note it in the notebook or some type of tables To facilitate the working men, accumulator hand counters can be used which is a 6″ to 8″ push button device having 4 to 6 registers Each register correspond to a type of vehicle When a vehicle passes, its corresponding register is pushed The counter is then periodically read and the values are recorded on a field sheet Each register usually records up to 9999 vehicles For intersection, four counters may be attached to a board with each counter representing an intersecting approach
Skilled workmanship is required to operate
this board as 10 to 20 registers may be used simultaneously ADVANTAGES This type of counting gives good result of classified traffic volume as different vehicles are separately counted. i.e. we can classify the traffic as cars, buses, trucks etc. We can note the turning of the vehicles The results are much more accurate DISADVANTAGES
The labours and the workmen get tired by
continuous working for several hours We can not collect the data for 24 hours a day or 365 days a year MANUAL COUNTING PROCEDURE Two procedures are used either separately or in combination to handle the recording of the manual volume count. These two procedure are : I. The short break procedure
II. Alternating count procedure
The Short Break Procedure In this method, 1 to 3 minutes of break is taken at the end of each counting period during which all observers record their data The short break is taken within the counting period and is not added to it For example, record data for 4 minutes out of 5 minutes of counting, 12 minutes out of 15 minutes etc. The values are than corrected for full counting period by multiplying the recorded vehicles for lesser time count with the count adjustment factor. i.e. Va = V * CF Where Va = adjusted vehicles for full counting period. V = recorded vehicles for lesser time count And CF = count adjustment factor. The count adjustment factor is given by CF = C P . (CP – CB) Where CP = Full counting period (min) CB = Short break (min) Consider an example as tabulated for the illustration of this procedure
Counting 4 minutes Count Adjusted 5
Period count Adjustment Minutes ( vehicle) Factor Count 05:00 – 05:05 42 5/4 53 05:05 – 05:10 51 5/4 64 05:10 – 05:15 55 5/4 69 05:15 – 05:20 50 5/4 63 05:20 – 05:25 42 5/4 65 05:25 – 05:30 46 5/4 58 ALTERNATE COUNT PROCEDURE In this method the number of vehicles are counted for a full counting period and then a break for a full counting period. i.e. A 5 minutes counting followed by 5 minutes rest or 15 minutes counting followed by a 15 minutes rest
The number of vehicles for the missing ( break )
counting period is estimated from interpolation or average of available data for the counting periods before and after this missing counting period Consider the following example as tabulated for the illustration of this procedure.
Counting Alternating Interpolated
Period Count Count 02:00 – 02:15 75 75 02:15 – 02:30 - 02:30 – 02:45 85 85 02:45 – 03:00 - 03:00 – 03:15 87 87 03:15 – 03:30 - 03:30 – 03:45 91 91 Consider the following example as tabulated for the illustration of this procedure.
easily removed from one place to another. They are used for counting traffic volume for a duration greater than 8 to 10 hours. It provide a relatively cheap and efficient manner to obtain count over extended periods ( day or even week) It cannot provide the detail of vehicle type and their movement distribution It consists of a pneumatic tube containing air and attached to the counter placed on road side It counts the number of axles crossing the tube The number of axles must be converted to the corresponding number of vehicles by conducting a sample manual count (classifying vehicles by number of axles) When a vehicle passes over the tube laid on the road, the air in it is compressed which sends a pressure impulse towards the counter For example, consider the data tabulated below
Classification Number of Number of Axles
Vehicles 2 axles 80 160
3 axles 10 30
4 axles 5 20
5 axles 5 25
Total = 100 Total = 235
PERMANENT COUNTERS Permanent counters are used in those regions or areas which require a continuous record of traffic 24 hours a day, 365 days of year Permanent counters are driven by one or several common types of detectors permanently installed at the location These detectors are connected to the counters through certain means which are installed in the transport offices Some important detectors are I. Pressure plate detectors II. Magnetic loop detector III. Sonic detector Pressure Plate Detector It consist of two heavy metal plates placed inside the pavement structure These two plates are isolated from each other by means of rubber springs and buffers When a load (vehicles) comes over it, the two plates come in contact, thus completing a weak circuit and an impulse is recorded It gives a number of axles Magnetic Loop Detector A loop of wire is embedded in the pavement surface and is connected to a weak power source, creating an electric field When loop is disturbed by passage of vehicle, a pulse is detected It records the number of vehicles Sonic Detector A sonic meter is located at the road side or suspended over a lane emits sonic waves which are reflected back after colliding with the vehicles, the meter detects the reflected waves
It also records the number of vehicles
MISCELLENEOUS METHODS Some other traffic volume counts are: i. Electronic counter
ii. Electromechanical counter
iii. Video tape method
Electronic Counter Itconsists of photo electric cell which notes the beam of light falling on it as the vehicles passes Electro Mechanical Counter An arrangement is made that when vehicle passes, the circuit is closed by it Thus, number of vehicles is recorded automatically as many times as the circuit closed Video Tape Method
In this method, a video camera is fixed at
some suitable place and vehicles are recorded and then the video tape is brought to the laboratory and vehicles are counted