AIM: To determine the traffic volume count of an urban road stretch

APPARATUS: Data Sheet, Stop Watch.

THEORY
Traffic Data Collection and projections thereof of traffic volumes are basic requirements for
planning of road development and management schemes. Traffic Data forms an integral part in
the science of descriptive national economics and such knowledge is essential in drawing up a
rational transport policy for movement of passengers and goods by both government and the
private sectors.

Traffic flow data is important in planning of a particular section of the road network and for its
subsequent maintenance. Traffic flow pattern appears to be random in distribution, as it reflects
people’s motivation in terms of different composition of vehicles on different types of roads
under varying environmental conditions. It follows then that data being collected is a
methodological statistics, because traffic flow pattern follows a random distribution. Despite
such complexities, it does follow fairly and clearly defined patterns that are possible to classify
and analyse. Thus, traffic data collection and analysis follows varying trends and plays an
important role in the evaluation and management of road network schemes.

Traffic studies carried out to analyze the traffic characteristics, which help in deciding the
geometric design of the highway and traffic control for safe and efficient traffic movements.
Here Traffic volume study was used for design of flexible and rigid pavement.
Traffic volume is the number of vehicles crossing a section of road per unit of time at any
selected period. Traffic volume are a quantity measure of flow, the commonly used units are
vehicles per day and vehicles per hour. A complete traffic volume study may include the
classified volume study by recording the volume of various types and classes of traffic, the
distribution by direction and turning movements and distinction on different lanes per unit time.

METHODOLOGY

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 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. The count period should avoid
special event or compromising weather conditions. Count periods may range from 5 minutes to 1
year. Typical count periods are 15 minutes or 2 hours for peak periods, 4 hours for morning and
afternoon peaks, 6 hours for morning, midday, and afternoon peaks, and 12 hours for daytime
periods. For example, if you were conducting a 2-hour peak period count,
eight 15-minute counts would be required.

STUDY LOCATION

Traffic study done at

 Date : 13/09/2019 to 23/09/2019
 Counting Period : 15 minute (short count)
 Weather Condition :It was a sunny day
 Survey Location : mid-block section of PGI chowk and new OPD
 Observation : Classified Vehicle Count
 Method: Manual Method.
 Duration :15 minutes (Short Count)
 Equipment’s: Data Sheet, Stop Watch.


PROCEDURE
1. We have conducted the traffic volume count at a mid-block section of PGI chowk and
new OPD
 2. We had divided the team in two groups, one group counted the traffic in north to south
direction and the other in the opposite direction
3. The traffic was divided into different categories such as bus, car, two wheeler, three
wheeler, rickshaw as shown in the observation table/ tally sheet
4. We had taken the interval of 15 minutes each and counted the traffic volume for 8 hours
5. We recorded the data using tally sheets
6. Volume count are shown in the table no
.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION

DATE TYPE OF 2 4 3 BUS/TRUC RICKSHA CYCLE
VEHICL WHEELER WHEELER( C WHEELER KS W
E S(BIKE , ARS, JEEPS S(AUTO (MANUA
SCOOTERS ETC) RICKSHA L)
ETC WS)

14-09- 8:00am- 714 762 331 620 546 483 59 42 4 5 21 54

2019 9:00am

(HOLID 9:00am- 726 634 364 684 583 469 47 49 5 7 14 62

AY) 10:00am

18-09- 8:00am- 721 624 346 599 606 499 54 48 7 3 32 67

2019 9:00am

9:00am- 665 531 312 646 588 477 44 48 6 4 26 84

10:00am

23-09- 11:00am- 531 546 285 323 361 292 42 36 4 6 12 25

2019 12:00pm

13-09- 2:45pm- 426 478 333 346 217 255 37 48 5 4 16 33

2019 3:45pm

17-09- 4:00pm- 683 385 557 405 295 254 42 52 7 3 58 66

2019 5:00pm

5:00pm- 1140 470 614 437 362 236 47 52 4 4 10 78

6:00pm 4
TOTAL 372 375
VOLUM
E

TABLE 1

RESULT
PRECAUTIONS
1. Surveyor should not affect the flow of traffic
2. Vehicles should be classified if possible as it saves time for classified
3. Safety of surveyor should be kept in mind and safe location should be selected
4. The vehicle type should be noted down carefully
5. The observer while filling the data into data sheet should be careful