Report on Traffic Volume Study

Md. Tahmidul Islam Farabi 06 02 03 031 4th Year 2nd Semester Ahsanullah University Department of Civil Engineering

of Science and Technology

Report on Traffic Volume Study

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Table of Contents

Content

Page no

1. Introduction

3

2. Literature Review

3

2.1 Definition

3

2.2 Counting Method

4

2.2.1 Manual Count Method

4

2.2.2 Automatic Count Method

6

3. Methodology

8

4. Data Collection & Analysis

9

5. Conclusion

15

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List of Tables No. of the table

Name of the table

Page no.

Table-1

General Traffic Volume study from New Market to Science Lab

9

Table-2

General Traffic Volume study from Science Lab to New Market

10

Table-3

Traffic Volume Considering PCU from New Market to Science Lab

11

Table-4

Traffic Volume Considering PCU from Science Lab to New Market

11

Table-5

Percentage (%) of flow rate

12

Table-6

AADT Calculation of New Market to Science Lab

13

Table-7

AADT Calculation of Science Lab to New Market

13

Table-8

ADT Calculation

14

List of Figures No. of the figure

Name of the figure

Page no.

Figure-1

Mechanical Counting Board

5

Figure-2

Electronic Counting Board

6

Figure-3

Percentage (%) of traffic from New

9 Page | 3

Market to Science Lab Figure-4

Percentage (%) of traffic from Science Lab to New Market

10

Figure-5

Percentage (%) of Service Flow Rate

12

Figure-6

Flow Fluctuation Curve

14

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. For example, an intersection count may be conducted during the peak flow period. If so, manual count with 30-minute intervals could be used to obtain the traffic volume data.

2. Literature Review A traffic study is conducted to evaluate the transportation system serving an area and to identify any improvements necessary to accommodate existing or projected traffic volumes. The study consists of data collection, including existing traffic volumes and turning movement counts, projected traffic volumes, and the identification of required improvements such as traffic calming devices. Any identified improvements may include a feasibility analysis, including identification of impacted properties, impacted structures, alternate alignments, physical constraints and roadway design criteria to be used. Page | 4

2.1 Definitions ADT: Average daily traffic or ADT, and sometimes also mean daily traffic, is the average number of vehicles two-way passing a specific point in a 24-hour period, normally measured throughout a year. ADT is the standard measurement for vehicle traffic load on a section of road, and the basis for most decisions regarding transport planning, or to the environmental hazards of pollution related to road transport. Road authorities have norms based on ADT, with decisions to expand road capacity at given thresholds.

AADT: Annual average daily traffic, abbreviated AADT, is a measure used primarily in transportation planning and transportation engineering. It is the total volume of vehicle traffic of a highway or road for a year divided by 365 days. AADT is a useful and simple measurement of how busy the road is. It is also sometimes reported as "average annual daily traffic". Hourly Expansion Factor (HEF): Total 24 hours volume Volume for particularhour

Daily Expansion Factor (DEF): Avg. total weekly volume Avg. volumefor particularday

Monthly Expansion Factor (MEF) : AADT ADT for particularmonth

2.2 Counting Method 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 Page | 5

data for determination of vehicle hourly patterns, daily or seasonal variations and growth trends, or annual traffic estimates. The selection of study method should be determined using the count period. The count period should be representative of the time of day, day of month, and month of year for the study area.

2.2.1 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 30 minutes. Manual Count Recording Methods: Manual counts are recorded using one of three methods: tally sheets, mechanical counting boards, or electronic counting boards. 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.

Figure-1: Mechanical Counting Board

Mechanical Counting Boards: Mechanical count boards consist of counters mounted on a board that Page | 6

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. 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.

There are three steps to a manual traffic volume count: Figure-2: Board

Electronic

Counting

1. Prepare. Determine the type of equipment to use, the field procedures to follow, and the number of observers required. Label and organize tally sheets. Each sheet should include information about the location, time and date of observation, and weather conditions.

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2. Select observer location(s). Observers (data collectors) should be positioned where they have a clear view of traffic and are safely away from the edge of the roadway. 3. Record observations on site.

2.2.2 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.

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

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 Figure 3).

Permanent Counters: Permanent counters are used when longterm 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 Page | 8

period of time. Permanent counters are not a cost-effective option in most situations. Few jurisdictions have access to this equipment.

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. There are three steps to a traffic volume study using automatic counting equipment: I. Prepare. Coordinate data activities with appropriate state and local officials. For example, you may need to coordinate traffic control activities. Assemble and inspect tools, supplies, and equipment. Test all equipment. II. Deploy and calibrate data collection equipment. Provide traffic control to protect workers in lanes of traffic. After the equipment is placed, make sure it is functioning properly. Secure it in place. III.Check data and retrieve equipment.

3. Methodology There are two ways of counting system • Long term count • Short term count We use the short term method in this traffic study. This method also divided into two methods • Direct Method. Page | 9

• Indirect method. We use the direct method dummy on the traffic volume study survey. We were divided in two groups. One were counting the vehicles which were passing from New Market to Science Lab, and that is group no 1,2,3 from 9 am to 11:30 am and the other group numbered 4,5,6 counted the vehicles which were passing from Science Lab to New Market from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Each group were occupied with 6 members.

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1.Data Collection & Analysis • General Traffic Volume study

Table 1: New Market to Science Lab Figure-3: Percentage (%) of traffic from New Market to Science Lab Time 09-09:30 10-10:30 11-11::30 Total %of whole

Bus Truck LV AR SPT MC 15 2 380 129 0 60 20 0 596 181 3 66 10 0 327 230 0 21 45 2 1303 540 3 147 2.20588 0.09804 63.8725 26.4706 0.14706 7.20588

Total 586 866 588 2040 100

% 28.7255 42.451 28.8235 100

PieChartforNewMarkettoScienceLab Bus, 2% SPT, 0%

Truck, 0%

MC, 7%

1 2

AR, 27%

3 4 LV, 64%

5 6

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Table 2: Science Lab to New Market Figure-4: Percentage (%) of traffic from Science Lab to New Market Time Bus 12-12:30 30 13-13:30 15 14-14:30 25 Total 70 %of whole 3.2634

Truck LV AR 2 344 170 1 379 160 0 584 250 3 1307 580 0.13986 60.9324 27.0396

SPT 1 0 14 15 0.6993

MC 35 60 75 170 7.92541

Total 582 615 948 2145 100

% 27.1329 28.6713 44.1958 100

PieChartforScienceLabtoNewMarket AR, 1%

Bus, 3%

Truck, 0%

MC, 8%

1 2 3

AR, 27%

4 LV, 61%

5 6

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•

Traffic Volume considering PCU

Bus = 1.99 Truck = 2.12 Light Vehicle = 1.53 Auto rickshaw = 0.41 Small public transport = 0.51 Motor cycle = 0.03 Table 3: New Market to Science Lab Time 09-10:00 10-11:00 11-12:00 Total Vehicle PCU

Bus 59.7 79.6 39.8 179.1

Truck 8.48 0 0 8.48

LV 1162.8 1517.76 1000.62 3681.18

AR 105.78 148.42 188.6 442.8

SPT 0 3.06 0 3.06

MC 3.6 3.96 1.26 8.82

Total PCU Flow 1340.36 1752.8 1230.28

Table 4: Science Lab to New Market Time 12-13:00 13-14:00 14-15:00 Total Vehicle PCU

Bus 119.4 59.7 99.5 278.6

Truck 8.48 4.24 0 12.72

LV 1052.64 1159.74 1787.04 3999.42

AR 139.4 131.2 205 475.6

SPT 1.02 0 14.28 15.3

MC 2.1 3.6 4.5 10.2

Total PCU Flow 1323.04 1358.48 2110.32

So, Service flow rate (New Market to Science Lab) = 1752.80 PCU Service flow rate (Science Lab to New Market) = 2110.32 PCU

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Table 5: Percentage (%) of flow rate %of flow rate in PCU at NM to SL =

45.3727

%of flow rate in PCU at SL to NM =

54.6273

PieChartforServiceFlowRate

NM to SL, 45% SL to NM, 55%

1 2

Figure-5: Percentage (%) of Service Flow Rate

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Calculation of AADT Table 6: AADT Calculation of New Market to Science Lab AADT New Market to Science Lab 24 hour volume on Monday ={PCU(09-10:00)*HEF +PCU(10-11:00)*HEF +PCU(11-12:00)*HEF}/3 =25985.47787 Total 7 day volume =24 hour volume*DEF(Monday) =182210.1708 Average 24 hour volume =(7 day volume)/7 =26030.0244 AADT =Avg. 24 hour volume*MEF(April) =38550.46614

Table 7: AADT Calculation of Science Lab to New Market

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AADT Science Lab to New Market 24 hour volume on Monday = {PCU(12-13:00)*HEF +PCU(13-14:00)*HEF +PCU(14-15:00)*HEF}/3 =26257.14267 Total 7 day volume =24 hour volume*DEF(Monday) =184115.0844 Average 24 hour volume = (7 day volume)/7 =26302.15491 AADT =Avg. 24 hour volume*MEF(April) =38953.49142

Calculation of ADT Table 8: ADT Calculation

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ADT =Flow rate in PCU*HEF Time 09-10:00 10-11:00 11-12:00 12-13:00 13-14:00 14-15:00 Total

ADT %of ADT 25198.768 16.078 29972.88 19.1242 22784.786 14.5378 24754.078 15.7943 22700.201 14.4838 31317.149 19.9819 156727.86 100

FlowFluctuationCurve 25 20

T D fA o %

15 10 5 0 09-10:00

10-11:00

11-12:00

12-13:00

13-14:00

14-15:00

Time

Figure-6: Flow Fluctuation Curve

5. Conclusion Page | 17

The results of the first post-study indicate that the traffic volume within the neighborhood has generally improved. We determined the vehicle proportion of these roads and also to understand what is the tidal flow occurs. Though we have done the survey manually there is possibility of some mistakes which were not done intentionally. It would be more accurate if video camera is used. Basically the survey time recommended is 24 hours but it is not possible. So we convert 30 minutes survey to 1 hour survey. Because it provides effective and helpful information, so such information is needed for traffic system improvement in our country. The traffic survey can be efficiently used for traffic monitoring, traffic control & management, traffic enforcement, traffic forecasting, model calibration and validation. The result of the study indicates that traffic control system have to improve as well as using canalization, signal, sign etc. The survey data & result may be used for further future survey.

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