1-Traffic Volume

Chapter 1
Traffic Volume Studies
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Traffic volume studies are conducted to collect data on the number of vehicles and/or pedestrians
that pass a point on a highway facility during a specified time period. This time period varies from
as a little as 15 min. to as much as a year, depending on the purpose of the survey. The data
collected may also be put in such class like directional movement occupancy rates and vehicle
classification. The following traffic volume characteristics may be collected from Traffic volume
studies.
a) Average Annual Daily traffic. (AADT) is the average of 24-hr counts collected
every day in the year. AADT may be useful in estimation of highway user revenues,
computation of accident rate, established of volume trends and for improvement and
maintenance programs.
b) Average Daily Traffic (AADT) is the average of 24-hour counts collected over a
number of days greater than, but less than a year ADT may be used for planning of
highway activities, measurement of current demand and evaluation of existing traffic flow.
c) Peak hour volume (PHV) is the maximum number of vehicles that pass a point on
a highway during a period of 60 consecutive minutes. PHVs are used for functional
classification on highways, geometric design, traffic operations and management.
d) Vehicle miles of Travel (VMT) is a measure of travel along a section of road. It is

the product of the traffic volume and the length of roadway in miles or kilometers to which
the volume is applicable. VMTs are used mainly as a base for maintenance and
improvement decisions.
1.2 OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the peak hour volume and composition (Vehicle mix) at the given
location (mid-block) of a given road/street.
2. To determine turning movement volume at a given intersection.
1.3 METHODS OF VOLUME COUNT
a) Manual Method: This method consists in a person recording each vehicle by

making tally marks on the field data sheet.
b) Automatic methods: This method involves the laying of surface detectors (such as
pneumatic road tubes) or surface detectors (such as magnetic or electric contact devices) on
the road. These detect the passing vehicle and transmit the information to a recorder, which
is connected to the detector at the side of the road. Pneumatic road tubes are employed by
counters like those from PEEK Inc. (Figure 1.1, Figure 1.2), and magnetic detectors are
used by Hi-star NC-97 from Nu-Metrics Figure (1.2), turning movements study at an
intersection is conducted using Jamar Technologies Traffic Counter
Fig. 1.1 PEEK Model 241 Counter
Figure 1.2 ADR 3000 Counters from PEEK
Figure 1.3 Numetrics Count Card

Nu_Metrics Counter
Pneumatic Tube
Traffic Monitor
Figure 1.4 Tube and Count Card Systems
Figure 1.5 Traffic Detection Loop
Figure 1.6 Intersection Counter

1.4 EQUIPMENT
For manual method the following equipment are needed
1. Stop Watch 2. Pencils, erasers,

3. Blank Data Sheets 4. Chip board
5. Mechanical counters 6. Turning Movement Counters
1.5 PROCEDURE OF MANUAL TRAFFIC COUNT
a) Mid-Block Traffic Count:

1. Prepare data sheets
2. Organize the study teams and assign type of data collected to each member of team
3. Each member should station himself/herself at the study site in a convenient but SAFE
location.
4. Start counting the assigned type of traffic simultaneously using mechanical counters
and/or by directly inputting in the data sheets.
5. Stop the count at the end of 15 minute period and assemble the data in a single data sheet
for each team.
b) Intersection Traffic Count:

1. Prepare data sheets
2. Organize the study teams and assign type of data collected to each member of team
3. Each member should station himself/herself at the study site in a convenient but SAFE
location.
4. Start counting the assigned type of traffic simultaneously using mechanical counters
and/or by directly inputting in the data sheets.
5. Stop the count at the end of 15 minute period and assemble the data in a single data sheet
for each team.
Data Presentation
a) Mid-Block Traffic Count:

i. Report the peak hour volume in vehicles/hour and PCE/hour present it graphically.
ii. Report the composition of traffic and represent it graphically.
iii. Report the Directional and Lane-wise distribution of Traffic graphically.
b) Intersection Traffic Count:
i. Present a graphic summary of vehicle turning movements.
ii. Present intersection flow diagram.
CE 366 Transportation Engineering Laboratory
Field Data Sheet for Mid-Block Traffic Volume Count
Count Station : Time:

Road Classification: Period:
Direction of Traffic:
Lane Cars, Jeeps Buses Trucks Rec. Half Lorry & Vannets Others
No. Vehicles
Example Filed Summary Form for Intersection Turning Movement Count
Intersection Filed Tally Sheet
Graphic Summary of Vehicle Movements
Example Intersection Flow Diagram
Traffic Volume Variation - Example Charts

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Chapter 1

Traffic Volume Studies

d) Vehicle miles of Travel (VMT) is a measure of travel along a section of road. It is

1.3 METHODS OF VOLUME COUNT

a) Manual Method: This method consists in a person recording each vehicle by

Fig. 1.1 PEEK Model 241 Counter

Figure 1.2 ADR 3000 Counters from PEEK

Figure 1.3 Numetrics Count Card

Figure 1.4 Tube and Count Card Systems

Figure 1.5 Traffic Detection Loop

Figure 1.6 Intersection Counter

For manual method the following equipment are needed

1. Stop Watch 2. Pencils, erasers,

1.5 PROCEDURE OF MANUAL TRAFFIC COUNT

a) Mid-Block Traffic Count:

b) Intersection Traffic Count:

a) Mid-Block Traffic Count:

Count Station : Time:

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