‫سلس لللة رااضل لرات ة لكويل للة للور ر للادة‬

‫هنلسة املرور ‪Traffic Engineering‬‬

‫املحاضرة (‪ :)2‬دراسات الحجوم املرورية‬

‫‪Lec.2: Traffic Volume Studies‬‬
‫إعلادوا قاء‪:‬‬
‫أ‪.‬م‪.‬د‪ .‬ةرا حسن أسل‬
‫‪30‬‬
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Highway Classification & Vehicle Characteristics ‫تصنيف الطرق و خصائص المركبة‬

1- General
1.1 Definitions ; 1.2 Phases of Traffic Engineering
2- Highway Functional Classification
2.1 Urban and Rural Areas ; 2.2 Access Needs & Control
2.3 Functional Categories
3- Vehicle Characteristics
3.1 Static Characteristics ; 3.2 Operating Characteristics

1- General
Human civilizations are distinguished by their ability to transport large numbers of people and mass quantities of
goods (freight) over long distances. People need to move from one location to another for several purposes. Main
travel purposes include work, shopping, education, leisure ‫ ترفيه‬and social activities.
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Traffic Volume Studies ‫دراسات الحجوم المرورية‬

1- Definitions.
2- Traffic Facilities by Flow Type.
3- Need for Traffic Volume Data.
4- Traffic Volume Variations.
5- Types of Volumes Counts.
6- Traffic Volume Presentation.
7- Methods for Conducting Vehicular Counts.
8- Traffic Forecasting.
9- Traffic Stream Composition.
10- Expanding & Adjusting Traffic Counts.

32
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

1- Definitions.
1) Volume: The number of vehicles passing a given point (or a given section of a lane or a roadway) during a specified period of time

2) Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT): The total yearly two-way traffic volume divided by the number of days in the year (365) (vpd).

3) Average daily traffic (ADT): The total two-way volume during a given time period (usually more than one day and less than a year)
divided by the number of days in that period (vpd).
4) Maximum Annual Hourly Volume: The highest hourly volume that occurs on a roadway in a designated year (vph).

5) Rate of flow: the equivalent hourly rate at which vehicles pass over a given point or section of a lane or roadway during a given time
interval of less than 1 hour, usually 15 min (vph).

6) Capacity: the maximum number of vehicles (volume) that can pass a

given point during a specified time period under prevailing conditions Traffic volume is a key input to
many traffic engineering
‫الظررف االاردة‬, commonly expressed as pcuphpl (passenger car units /
analyses.
hr / lane).

33
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

7) Peak hour factor (PHF): The ratio of total hourly volume in peak hour
The term demand volume means the traffic volume
to the peak flow rate within that hour (see Eq. 1). It reflects the
expected to use a segment of the highway at some future
variation in traffic demand within the peak hour. In practice, PHF
time, or the traffic currently arriving or using such a
generally varies between 0.7 for rural areas to 0.98 in dense urban
segment, usually expressed in (vph). When demand
areas.
exceeds capacity, the PHF will approach 1.0 due to delayed
traffic. The observed condition is described as constrained
condition (FDOT, 2019).

Example (1): For the following tabulated traffic volume data, compute:
Time Rate of flow
1) total hourly volume, 2) maximum flow rate, and 3) the PHF. Volume (vehicles)
period(minutes) (vph)
Sol.) 7:00-7:15 650 (650)*4=2600
7:15-7:30 810 (810)*4=3240
Total hourly volume = 650 + 810 + 1840 = 3300 vph
7:30-8:00 1840 (1840)*2=3680
Maximum flow rate = 3680 vph Total 3300 vph
PHF = Hourly volume / Peak flow rate = 3300 / 3680 = 0 .896
34
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Example (2): The total number of vehicles in each month of the year has been tabulated as shown below. Calculate (1) the average
daily traffic (ADT) for each month, (2) the annual average daily traffic.
Sol.)
Monthly Volume No. ADT (vpd)
Month
(1) 1st month ADT (as example): (x 1000) of days (x 1000)

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 425∗1000 1 425 31 13.71

𝐴𝐷𝑇 = = = 13710 𝑣𝑝𝑑 2 410 28 14.64
𝑁𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑎𝑦 31
3 400 31 12.9
and so on.
4 450 30 15.0
5 450 31 14.5
6 500 30 16.66
7 580 31 18.71
8 570 31 18.39
(2) AADT : 9 490 30 16.33
10 420 31 13.55
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 5510 ∗ 1000 11 415 30 13.83
𝐴𝐴𝐷𝑇 = = = 15095 𝑣𝑝𝑑 12 400 31 12.9
𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑎𝑦 365
Sum. 5510 365

35
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

2- Traffic Facilities by Flow Type‫انواعاالمنشئدتافاالمرافقاالمرفريةاحابانوعاالجريدناااا‬

According to TRB (2010), highway facilities ‫ منشئات الطرق‬are classified into two categories of flow: uninterrupted and interrupted.

2.1 Uninterrupted flow :‫جريدناغيامتقطعاا‬

‫ر‬
Include facilities that have no external interruptions to the traffic stream due to intersections, traffic signals, stop signs, or others. Such
facilities have full control of access; no at-grade intersections or any forms of direct access to abutting lands. The term uninterrupted
flow refers to type of facility not the quality of operations on that facility.
•Freeway facilities:
- Basic freeway segments;
- Freeway weaving segments;
- Freeway merge and diverge segments
•Multilane rural highways (> 2mi)
• Two-lane highways (> 2mi)

36
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

2.2 Interrupted flow:

Include facilities that incorporate fixed external interruptions:
•Urban street facilities (Arterials)
•Unsignalized intersections; signalized intersections and roundabouts.
• Interchange ramp terminals
•Transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

37
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

3- Need for Traffic Volume Data ‫استخ امدتابيدندتاالحجوماالمرفرية‬

According to Pignataro et al. (1970) and Garber and Hoel (2015) various forms of traffic volumes are used for various purposes:
AADT volumes are used for:
a. estimating of highway user revenues ‫( عدة اتاالطريق‬fuel, taxes and tolls).
b. computing of crash rates (number of crashes per vehicle-miles)
c. establishment of traffic volume trends ‫طبيعةاالتغي يافاالمرفراخاللاالزمن‬
‫ر‬
d. evaluation of the economic feasibility‫ الج فىااالقتصددية‬of highway projects
e. development of freeway and major arterial street systems
f. development of maintenance programs

ADT volumes are used for:

a. planning of highway activities
b. measurement of current demand‫قيدساالطلباالحدلاعىلاالنقلا‬
‫ي‬
c. evaluation of existing traffic flow

38
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Peak hourly volumes (PHV) are used for:

a. functional classification of highways
b. design of the geometric characteristics of highway, for example, number of lane, intersection signalization, or channelization.
c. capacity analysis
d. development of programs related to traffic operations, for example, one-way street systems or traffic routing.
e. development of parking regulations ‫تنظيمامواقفاالمركبدت‬

Classified volumes ‫الحجروماالمصرن ة‬give details about vehicle characteristics such as vehicle type, number of axles, weight and dimensions.
Such details can be used for:
a. design of geometric characteristics, such as turning-radii, maximum grades (slope), and lane width.
b. structural design of highway pavements, bridges, …‫ا‬etc.
c. capacity analyses (to compute passenger cars equivalents to heavy vehicles).

39
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Short-term volumes counts for intervals less than one hour, such as 5, 10
and 15 minute intervals are used for:
a. analyzing maximum rates of flow and variations within peak hours.
b. determining capacity limitations in urban areas, since hourly traffic flows
are not sufficiently definitive of flow variations.

Intersection volume counts are carried out to determine:

a. total traffic entering the intersection from all legs.
b. total traffic of turning movements ‫حركات االستدارة‬.
c. total traffic by time periods
d. classification of vehicles by type.

Figure: Intersection volume counting using

electronic counting board.

40
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

4- Traffic Volume Variations‫التغديرافاالحجوماالمرفريةااااا‬

‫ي‬
Continuous traffic counts at road sections show that traffic volume could vary from hour to hour, day to day, and from month to
month. That is, demand varies by time of day, by day of the week, by month or season of the year (TRB, 2010; Garber and Hoel, 2015;
ITE ,2016).

4.1 Hourly Traffic Variations

The hourly variation in traffic volume is shown in Figs. 1&2 (case study from USA), where the volume for each hour of the day is
represented as a percentage of the ADT. The following remarks can be noticed:
1. In rural areas (Fig. 1), there is no obvious early morning peak; however, local rural roads have obvious morning peaks.
2. In urban areas (Fig. 2), there is a morning peak which occurs between 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and an evening peak occurs between 4 and 6
p.m. This is usually because of the work trips.
3. If the data are collected on every weekday for one week, the hourly variations will be similar to each other (Fig. 2), although the
actual volumes may vary from day to day.
4. In urban areas there is a high directional peak inbound‫ داخل‬in the morning on expressway and radial arterials leading into the CBD.

41
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Figure 1: Traffic hourly variations for rural routes (ITE, 2016) Figure 2: Traffic hourly variations for urban street (TRB, 2010)

42
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

4.2 Daily Traffic Variations

1. Figure 3 shows the daily variation in traffic for different routes in USA. In general, traffic volumes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday are similar whereas peak can be noticed on Sunday for recreational access route. This indicates that short counts for
weekdays should be carried out on Monday to Wednesday whereas weekend counts should be on weekend days only.

2. The heaviest daily traffic volumes for main rural and recreational highways occur on the weekend.

3. The variation in daily urban traffic for weekdays is not very pronounced‫ فاضحا‬on urban arterials.

4.3 Seasonal and Monthly Traffic Variations

1. According to Fig. 4 (a study in Minnesota, USA), low volumes are observed during January and February; mainly due to winter
weather, whereas high volumes can be noticed during July and August due to high recreational trips (vacation).
2. Monthly variations are more severe on rural routes than on urban routes.

3. Monthly variations are more severe on rural routes serving primarily recreational traffic than on rural routes serving primarily
business traffic.

43
 Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Figure 3: Traffic volume daily variations by route type (TRB, 2010) Figure 4: Traffic monthly variation for a freeway. (TRB, 2010)

44
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

5- Types of Volumes Counts. ‫انواعاالحادبدتاالمرفرية‬

Different types of traffic counts are carried out depending on the anticipated use of the collected data (Garber and Hoel, 2015; ITE
(2016TE). These are:
1. Cordon counts: are made to determine the accumulations of vehicles and pedestrians during a specific time period within a district
called the cordon area (ex., city or the CBD). A cordon line is an imaginary line that defines the area and each street crossing the cordon
line is a count station, where all vehicles and/or persons entering and leaving the district are counted. The data is used for planning
parking, arterial and freeways, transit, and for evaluating traffic operational techniques.

2. Screen line volume counts: Screen lines are imaginary lines that divide the cordon area
and usually drawn along natural or human-made barrier such as rivers, railroad lines, or
urban freeways with a limited number of crossing points and hence crossing counts.
While a cordon count is used to count traffic entering and leaving an area (such as a city
or a CBD), a screen line count is used to capture traffic flows from one area to another.
Screen line counts are used to check and expand the results of 0-D studies.

45
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

3. Intersection Counts: are taken to determine vehicle classifications and through

and turning movements at intersections. These data are used mainly in the design
of signalized intersections and in channelization design.

4. Pedestrian volume counts‫حاردبدتاالاردبلة‬: are made at problem locations at

crosswalks, at bus and subway (metro) stations, and at mid-block locations.
Pedestrian counts provide the basic data needed to evaluate the adequacy of
existing and proposed walkways‫ش الاردبلة‬
‫ ممرد ي ا‬and crosswalks‫ منردطقاالعبرور‬, and to
evaluate protection and control facilities such as pedestrian barriers and
pedestrian signals.

5. Periodic Volume counts‫الحاردبدتاال فريرة‬: the periodic counts usually conducted

are: continuous counts, control counts or coverage counts. Continuous counts use
permanent traffic recorders to produce long duration counts whereas coverage
counts produce short counts. Control counts are set in strategic locations.

46
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

6- Traffic Volume Presentation. ‫اظهدراافاعرضاالبيدندتاالمرفرية‬

The data collected from traffic volume counts can be presented in many forms
according to the count method and the main use of the collected data (Garber
and Hoel, 2015).

1. Traffic Flow Maps

These maps show traffic volumes on roads and streets. The volume of traffic on
each route is proportionally represented by the width of the drawn band to
provide a graphic representation to visualize the variation in traffic flows (see
Figure 5).
2. Intersection Summary Sheets
These sheets are graphic representations for volumes and directions of all traffic
movements through the intersection. Figure 6 displays an intersection summary
sheet.
Figure 5: A typical daily traffic flow map
47
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

3. Summary Tables
These tables give a summary of traffic volume movements
and parameters in tabular form (see Fig. 6, TRB 2010).

Fig. 5 (a)

TRB HCM (2010)

Fig. 5 (b) Fig. 6

48
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

7- Methods for Conducting Vehicular Count. ‫طرقااجراءاحادباالحجوماالمرفرية‬

In general, there are two basic methods for counting traffic volumes; automatic methods and manual observation. Below is a brief
description, further information can be found in Pignataro et al. (1973), Garber and Hoel (2015) and ITE Manual TE (2010).
7.1 Automatic Method
Automatic counters are typically used in fixed or permanent count stations to produce continuous counts and recording the distribution
of traffic by hours of the day, days of the week, months of the year, and from year to year. Such counts are extremely important in
discovering traffic trends and for developing adjustment factors to convert short-term counts to estimated AADT. Automatic traffic
counters can be classified into two general categories: with and without direct contact.

(1) Require contact (with surface or subsurface detectors).

Automatic counters that require the laying of surface detectors (such as pneumatic
road tubes) as shown in figure or subsurface detectors (such as magnetic or electric
contact devices) on the road. They detect the passing vehicles and transmit the
information to a recorder which is connected to a detector at the side of the road.

49
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

1) Electric Contact Device: A subsurface detector which generates an electrical contact for
each vehicle axle crossing it. It consists of a steel base plate over which a rubber pad
(which is flush with the road surface) is placed. Electric contacts are installed in each lane.

2) Magnetic Device: Detection is accomplished by a signal or impulse caused by a vehicle

passing through and disturbing a magnetic field. The unit is installed in each lane
immediately below the road surface.

(2) Contactless (Without detectors).

The type of automatic counters that do not require the laying of
detectors. These counters use many technologies for sensing or
detecting vehicles, for example: photelectric device, radar device
and infrared device.

50
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

3) Photoelectric Device: Detection is accomplished by the vehicle passing between a source of light and photocell which is capable of
distinguishing between light and lack of light. The equipment is mounted above the road surface.

4) Radar Device: Detection is accomplished by continuously comparing the frequency of a transmitted radio signal with the frequency
of the reflected signal. When a moving vehicle intercepts the signal, a frequency difference exists. The unit is normally mounted above
the centre of the lane or lanes for which detection is desired.

5) Infrared Device: This type utilizes a pickup cell, which is similar to a photoelectric cell, but is sensitive to infrared (heat) radiation
rather than to visible light. The unit containing the source and the pickup is mounted above the road surface on a bridge, sign structure,
etc.
Advantages of Automatic (Mechanical) Counters are:
1) They have a relatively low cost per hour of counting.
2) They provide an extensive coverage of time, from which variations and trend data are obtained.
3) With some detecting devices a definite separation of vehicle volumes by lane is obtained.

51
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Disadvantages of Automatic Counters are:

1) They usually cannot obtain turning movements or vehicle
classification data.
2) Detectors and recorders can be damaged due to many traffic
hazard; hence, they need extensive maintenance.
3) With some detectors it is necessary to determine the percentage
of vehicles with 3 or more axles to obtain true volumes.

7.2 Manual Counts (Manual Method)

This kind of count uses field observers to obtain volume data which
cannot be collected by automatic counters. For light volumes,
observations are recorded by tally marks on prepared field data
sheets as shown in Fig. 7, and for heavier volumes mechanical or
electronic counters are used. Figure 7: Common equipment used for manual counting method

52
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20
Day and date: ………………… Station no. and direction: ……………….
Manual counts are used to determine: Surveyor name: ………………. Road name: ……………………..

1. Turning movement ; 2. Vehicle classification ; 3. Pedestrian Time Motor Mini Med. Large Truck Semi Truck
PC Taxi Sum
cycle bus bus bus SU trailer trailer
counts 15
30

6:00
The main disadvantages of the manual count method are: 45
60
1) It is labour intensive and therefore can be expensive. Total
15
2) It is subjected to the limitations of human factors. 30
45

7:00
3) It can't be used for long periods of counting. 60
Total
15
Notice that the interval for data could be 1, 5, 15, 30 or 60 30
45

8:00
minutes, although the default value is 15 minutes. 60
Total
The adjacent figure shows a typical field sheet for traffic volume 15
30
data. 45

9:00
60
Total
Total

53
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

7.3 Photographic Techniques

Video cameras are mounted to record traffic volume and
composition on a road (video recording). Traffic counting is then
occurred by rewinding (watching) the video. Modem video-
image processing software may automatically provide volume
data.

7.4 Moving Vehicle Method

A test vehicle makes a series of test runs in each direction over route under study. For reliable results, a minimum of six test runs should
be made in each direction under comparable conditions. The method is applicable to two-way routes only. It has been found to be
economical and to produce satisfactory, unbiased estimates of volume and travel time. The test route is divided into sections which are
as uniform as possible with respect to physical conditions (width, number of lanes , parking , etc.) and traffic conditions (volume , speed
, type of traffic , etc) (Pignataro et al., 1973; Garber and Hoel, 2015).

54
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

The test vehicle makes a round trip, on the purpose of measuring the number of vehicles that
will pass the starting point (A) in the time it takes the vehicle to make a round trip from A to B
and back to A again. Consider Figure 8;

The vehicle begins at A and proceeds in a southerly direction, counting all vehicles which pass it
in the opposite direction (Ms).The test vehicle then turns around at point B. Any vehicle that
passes the test car (On) will arrive at A before the test car returns. Any vehicle passed by the
test car (Pn) has already been counted as part of Ms. However, these vehicles (Pn) will not
arrive at A before the test vehicle. Therefore, the volume past point A , in a northerly direction ,
in the time that takes the test vehicle to make a round trip is (Ms+On-Pn).

The total volume per hour, northbound qn, can be computed base on Eq. 2 (for southbound volume all subscript are reversed). The
average travel time of all traffic northbound 𝑻𝒏 and space mean speed northbound 𝑺𝒏 in kph are computed based on Eqs. 3 & 4
respectively:

55
 Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

𝟔𝟎(𝑴𝒔 + 𝑶𝒏 − 𝑷𝒏 ) 𝟔𝟎(𝐎𝐧−𝐏𝐧) 𝟔𝟎𝒅

𝒒𝒏 = … (2) 𝑻𝒏 = 𝑻𝒏 − … (3) 𝑺𝒏 = … (4)
𝑻𝒏 +𝑻𝒔 𝒒𝒏 𝑻𝒏

Where:
Ms= Opposing traffic count of vehicles met when the test car was traveling south
On= number of vehicles overtaking the test car while traveling north.
Pn =number of vehicles passed by the test car while traveling north.
Tn= Travel time when travelling north, in minutes.
Ts= Travel time when travelling south, in minutes.
d = Length of test section (kilometer).

Note 1: if the test car were traveling at the actual mean speed for the entire run, it would pass
as many vehicles as pass it, and hence (O-P) would equal zero.
Note 2: If the test car turned instantaneously at B, the count would be exact. However, there
is a time loss while the vehicle turns, which may allow some error to occur

56
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Example (3) (Pignataro et al., 1973): The data of moving vehicle method for
Northbound Tn(min.) Mn On Pn
1 km test section on major arterial is shown in the table. Compute traffic 1 2.65 85 1 0
volumes, travel times, and space mean speed in both directions. 2 2.70 83 3 2
3 2.35 77 0 2
Sol.) 4 3.00 85 2 0
60(𝑀𝑠 + 𝑂𝑛 − 𝑃𝑛) 60 (111.5 + 1.5 − 1) 5 2.42 90 1 1
𝑞𝑛 = = = 1336 vph 6 2.54 84 2 1
𝑇𝑛+𝑇𝑠 2.61 + 2.42
Total 15.66 504 9 6
60(𝑀𝑛 + 𝑂𝑠 − 𝑃𝑠) 60 (84 + 0.5 − 1)
𝑞𝑠 = = = 996 vph Average 2.61 84 1.5 1.0
𝑇𝑛+𝑇𝑠 2.61 + 2.42
Southbound Ts(min.) Ms Os Ps
60 𝑂𝑛−𝑃𝑛 60 1.5 − 1
𝑇𝑛 = 𝑇𝑛 − = 2.61 − = 2.59 min 1 2.33 112 2 0
𝑞𝑛 1336
2 2.30 113 0 2
60 𝑂𝑠−𝑃𝑠 60 0.5 − 1 3 2.71 119 0 0
𝑇 𝑠 = 𝑇𝑠 − = 2.42 − =2.45 min 4 2.16 120 1 1
𝑞𝑠 996
5 2.54 105 0 2
60𝑑 60∗1 6 2.48 100 0 1
𝑆𝑛 = = = 23.2 km/hr Total 14.52 669 3 6
𝑇𝑛 2.59
Average 2.42 111.5 0.5 1.0
60𝑑 60∗1
𝑆𝑠 = = = 24.5 km/hr
𝑇𝑠 2.45

57
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

‫ئ‬
8- Traffic Forecasting. ‫التنبابدلحجوماالمرفرية‬
The future traffic demand can be forecasted as follows:

F.AADT = C.AADT + (Traffic increase) … (5)

Where:
F.AADT = Future Annual Average Daily Traffic (vpd);
C.AADT = Current Annual Average Daily Traffic (vpd). It is the number of vehicles that would use the new or improved highway when it is
opened to traffic.

Traffic increase = Increase in traffic due to generated traffic, development traffic and normal traffic growth.
* Generated traffic: the additional attracted vehicle travel due to road improvement, particularly expansion of congested urban
roadways (increasing capacity).

* Development traffic: the portion of the attracted traffic volume due to improvements on land adjacent to the highway.

* Normal traffic growth: the increase of traffic due to normal growth.

58
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

F.AADT = C.AADT * T.P.F. = C.AADT * (1 + r) x+n … (6) (FHWA, 2018)

Where:
T.P.F = Traffic projection factor ; r = Rate of annual increase (growth) in traffic (usually 0.04-0.08)
x = Years of construction ; n = Design life of highway (15-25) years

it is difficult to define the total design life of a highway because major segments may have different design life lengths as they
experience various traffic and environmental conditions. Assuming adequate maintenance, generally right-of-way and earthworks could
have a design life of 100 years; base courses, 50 years; pavement structure, 20 to 30 years; and resurfacing, 10 years (AASHTO, 2018).

Now the next step is how to select and compute the hourly volume needed in standard geometric design and capacity analysis based on
the forecasted AADT. According to AASHTO (2018), the hourly traffic volume used in design should be a value that will not be exceeded
very often or by very much. On the other hand, it should not be a value so high that traffic would rarely be sufficient to make full use of
the resulting facility (not economical). One guide in determining the hourly traffic volume that is best suited for use in design is a curve
showing variation in hourly traffic volumes during the year.

59
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

On rural roads with average fluctuation in traffic flow, the 30th HV

is typically about 15 percent of the ADT. In urban areas, the 30th
highest hourly volume can be a reasonable representation of daily
peak hours during the year (AASHTO, 2018). Thirtieth highest
annual hourly volume (30HV) is the highest hourly volume that is
only exceeded by 29 hourly volumes during a designated year
(Two-directions). and will be chosen as the design hour volume.

DHV (30HV) = F.AADT * K … (7)

DDHV = F.AADT * K * D = DHV * D … (8) Figure (9): The relation between peak-hour and AADT volumes (FDOT ,2002)
Where;
- DHV = Design hour volume (2-directions), vph., DDHV = Directional design hour volume (one-direction), vph.
- K (design hour factor): the proportion of the AADT occurring during the peak hour; K is about 0.15 for rural area (AASHTO, 2018).
- D (Directional distribution or split): it is proportion of peak hour traffic in the peak direction of flow (decimal) – see figure next slide.

60
Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

K and D values are based on local or regional characteristics at existing locations.

Directional distribution (D.D.) can be calculated based on the following relations:

𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑫𝑯𝑽

𝑫. 𝑫 = (50-80%)
𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑫𝑯𝑽

Table: General Ranges for K and D factors (Roess et al., 2011).

Facility type Normal range of values
K-factor D-factor
Rural 0.15-0.25 0.65-0.80
Suburban 0.12-0.15 0.55-0.65
Urban
Radial Route 0.07-0.12 0.55-0.60
Circumferential Route 0.07-0.12 0.50-0.55

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Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

9- Traffic Stream Composition ‫تركيبا(بنية)االجريدناالمرفرياااا‬

Generally, traffic stream comprises different percentages of passenger cars (pc), trucks (lorry, trailer, semi-trailer), and buses (including
local transit and coaches). Heavy vehicle is a vehicle with more than four tires touching the pavement during normal operation. Trucks,
buses, and recreational vehicles (RVs) are the three groups of heavy vehicles (TRB, 2010).

In most highway capacity and pavement design computations, it is often required to convert all traffic stream into equivalent
passenger car units (PCU). To do that, conversion factors are usually used taking into account heavy vehicle type and terrain
topography. The table below is suggested by the Iraqi State Organization of Roads and Bridges (SORB):
[𝟏𝟎𝟎+𝑷𝑻 𝑬𝑻 −𝟏 +𝑷𝑩 (𝑬𝑩 −𝟏)
𝑪. 𝑭. = … (9)
𝟏𝟎𝟎

DDHV (pcu/hr) = DDHV (veh/hr) * C.F. … (10)

C.F.=Passenger car conversion factor
PT & PB= Proportions of truck and bus respectively
ET &EB= Passenger car equivalent for truck and bus (the number of passenger cars displaced by a single heavy vehicle of a particular
type under specified roadway traffic and control conditions)
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Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Example (4): A current ADT of 7500 vpd was estimated on an arterial street in rolling terrain, calculate the total number of lanes for
a planned highway, use r = 6%, n = 25 years, design capacity = 1300 pcphpl, construction period = 2 years, D.D. = 60%, PT = 10%, ET =
1.75, PB = 20% and EB = 3. (Assume k = 0.15).
Sol.)
F.ADT = C.ADT * T.P.F. = C.ADT * (1+r)x+n = 7500 * (1.06)27 = 36168 vpd
DDHV = F.ADT * K * D =36168 * 0.15 * 0.60 = 3256 vph

[100 + 𝑃𝑇 𝐸𝑇 − 1 + 𝑃𝐵 (𝐸𝐵 − 1)
𝐷𝐷𝐻𝑉 𝑝𝑐𝑝ℎ = 𝐷𝐷𝐻𝑉 𝑣𝑝ℎ
100
[100+10 1.75−1 +20(3−1)
𝐷𝐷𝐻𝑉 = 3256 = 3256 ∗ 1.475 = 4803 pcph
100

N = DDHV / Possible capacity

= 4803 / 1300 = 3.69 ≈‫ا‬4 per direction ---- > 8 – lane highway

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Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

10- Expanding & Adjusting Traffic Counts.‫توسعةافاتع يلاالحادبدتاالمرفريةاا‬

It is necessary to expand and adjust short-term traffic volumes counts (obtained from coverage count stations) to a common base like
AADT. Expansion factors used to adjust and expand short counts are usually determined from continuous (with permanent traffic
recorders) count stations. Hourly, daily and monthly expansion factors can be determined as follows (Garber and Hoel, 2015):

1. Hourly Expansion Factors (HEF) Formula

These factors are used to expand counts of less than 24 hr. duration to 24 hr. volumes by multiplying the hourly volume for each hour
during the count period by its corresponding HEF, and then finding the mean of these products:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 24 ℎ𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 σ𝑛

𝑖=1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑜𝑙. 𝑖∗ 𝐻𝐸𝐹 𝑖
𝐻𝐸𝐹 = …‫(ا‬11) ; 24 ℎ𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = …‫(ا‬12)
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛

2. Daily Expansion Factors (DEF) Formula

These factors are used to expand counts of 24 hr. duration to weekly volumes by multiplying the 24 hr. volume by the DEF.
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑
𝐷𝐸𝐹 = …‫(ا‬13)
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦

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Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

3. Monthly Expansion Factors (MEF) Formula

The AADT for a given year can be estimated from adjusting the ADT for
a given month, by multiplying this volume by the MEF.
𝐴𝐴𝐷𝑇
𝑀𝐸𝐹 = …‫(ا‬14)
𝐴𝐷𝑇 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ

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Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

Example (5) (Garber and Hoel, 2015): A traffic engineer needs to determine the Hourly volume
Time period HEF
AADT on a rural primary road. He collected the data shown in the table on a collected

Tuesday during May. Determine the AADT of the road if the required expansion 7:00-8:00 400 29.00
8:00-9:00 535 22.05
factors are as follows: DEF (Tuesday) = 7.727 & MEF (May) =1.394
9:00-10:00 650 18.80
10:00-11:00 710 17.10
Sol.)
11:00-12:00 650 18.52
σ𝑛
𝑖=1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑜𝑙. 𝑖∗ 𝐻𝐸𝐹 𝑖
Estimate 24 ℎ𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑇𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 =
𝑛

[ 400∗29 +(535∗22.05)+(650∗18.8)+(710∗17.1)+(650∗18.52)]
= = 11959 vpd
5
Adjust the 24hr volume for Tuesday to average volume for the week using the daily expansion factor:
Total 7-day volume = 11959 * 7.727 = 92407 vpw
Now compute the ADT based on the above 7-days volume: ---- > Average 24 hr volume (ADT) = 92407 / 7 = 13201 vpd
Finally, compute AADT based on ADT and MEF: ---- > AADT = (Avg.24 hr vol) * MEF = 13201 * 1.394 = 18402 vpd

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Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

H.Ws
H.W1: The table below lists the field data for
moving-vehicle method for 1.2 km test section.
Compute the average traffic volumes (vph), travel
times (min.), and SMS (kph) in both directions.
H.W2: The table below shows the hourly volumes obtained from a short-term
traffic count station and their corresponding hourly expansion factors (HEFs).
DEFs for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are 8.93, 7.82, and 8.19
respectively; and MEF is 2.01. Estimate the AADT.

Eastbound Te (min.) Me Oe Pe
Hourly volume HEF
1 2.36 75 1 2 Time
Period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
2 2.65 81 0 1
3 2.47 84 2 3 7:00-8:00 340 290 307 27 28.91 26.81
4 2.85 83 2 0 8:00-9:00 400 410 478 22.71 19.38 24.81
Westbound Tw (min.) Mw Ow Pw 9:00-10:00 280 390 370 19.87 23.71 19.53
1 2.24 99 0 2
2 2.53 105 1 1
3 2.21 109 3 2
4 2.14 98 2 0

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Traffic Eng. Traffic Volume Studies 19 –20

References
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). (2018). A policy on geometric design of highways and
streets. Washington, DC., USA.

Garber, N. J., & Hoel, L. A. (2015). Traffic and highway engineering – SI Version. 5th edition. Cengage Learning, USA.

Florida Department of Transportation. (2019, 2002). Project Traffic Forecasting Handbook. US Department of Transportation.

Federal Highway Administration. (2018). Traffic Data Computation Method POCKET GUIDE. US Department of Transportation.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Wolshon, B., & Pande, A. (2016). Traffic engineering handbook. John Wiley & Sons.

Pignataro, L. J., Cantilli, E. J., Falcocchio, J. C., Crowley, K. W., McShane, W. R., Roess, R. P., & Lee, B. (1973). Traffic engineering: theory
and practice.

Roess, R. P., Prassas, E. S., & McShane, W. R. (2011). Traffic Engineering. 4th edition. Pearson.

TRB, 2010. Highway Capacity Manual. Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washingtom, DC, USA. (HCM2010)

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Traffic Eng. Spot Speed Studies 19 –20

Spot Speed Studies ‫دراسات الرسعة المكانيـ ــة‬

1- Basic Definitions.

2- Applications of Spot Speed Data.

3- Location, Time and Duration.

4- Types of Measuring.

5- Methods of Measuring.

6- Sample Size.

7- Presenting and Analyzing.

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Traffic Eng. Spot Speed Studies 19 –20

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