CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

POLYTECHNIC TUANKU SULTANAH BAHIYAH

DCC 30112 – GEOTECHNICAL AND HIGHWAY LABORATORY
LABORATORY REPORT
TITLE SPOT SPEED STUDY

DATE 22.12.2021

CLASS DKA4A

SESSION SESSION 1 2021/22

GROUP NUMBER GROUP B

STUDENT NAME NURUL NABILAH BINTI BAHARIN

REGISTRATION 16DKA19F2054
NUMBER
NAME REGISTRATION
NUMBER
GROUP MEMBERS NOR ADILLAH BINTI TOHIER 16DKA19F2032
NUR BADRINA BALQIS BINTI MOHD BADROLNIZAN 16DKA19F2034
MUHAMAD ALIFF DANIEL BIN MUHAMAD SHUKOR 16DKA19F2036

LECTURER’S NAME ENCIK MUHAMAD AIZAT BIN ZOLKOFLE

MARKING CRITERIA GROUP MARKS
LECTURER’S Report Format & Teamwork (5%)
COMMENT Introduction/Theory/Background (5%)
Label/list Apparatus & Procedure (5%)
Results & Calculation (5%)
Analysis/Question/Discussion (5%)
Conclusion (5%)

TOTAL LAB REPORT MARKS (30%)

 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO CONTENT PAGE

1. INTRODUCTION 3

2. THEORY 4

3. APPARATUS 4

4. PROCEDURE 6

5. RESULT 8

6. DISCUSSION 12

7. CONCLUSION 12

8. REFERENCES 13

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Speed is the rate of movement of a vehicle, generally expressed in kilometers per hour.
A spot speed study is a study of traffic speed at one point or spot on a traffic way. It consists of
a series or a sample of observations of the individual speeds at which vehicles are approaching
an intersection or passing a point at a non-intersection location. These observations are used to
estimate the speed distribution of the entire traffic stream at that location, under the conditions
prevailing at the time of the study.

Spot speed studies can be used to study speeds at problem locations in order to determine
whether speeds are too high and if complaints received are justified, for accident analysis in
order to determine the relationship of speed to accidents which may help in developing
corrective measures, and for before-and-after studies in order to evaluate the effect of some
change in controls or conditions. Next, spot speed data-are gathered using one of three Methods:
(1) stopwatch method, (2) radar meter method, or (3) pneumatic road tube method. These
methods are described in this chapter in order from least expensive to most expensive. The
stopwatch method is the least expensive and least accurate of the methods.

Further more, spot speed data have a number of safety applications, including the
following: determining existing, traffic operations and evaluation of traffic control devices,
establishing roadway design elements, and measuring effectiveness of traffic control devices or
traffic programs, including signs and markings, traffic operational changes, and speed
enforcement programs because of the importance of such speed studies, data has to be collected
properly rand presented effectively.

Therefores required to select a section of a road outside the campus and away from close
intersections and unusual traffic activities. Information about the selected section of the road is
gathered such as section speed, number of lanes, and general deseription of location. Data is to
be collected during off peak periods on a weak day.

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2.0 OBJECTIVE :

i. Spot speed studies are vital for measuring different, variables and factors needed in the
design and analysis of the highway system.

ii. Spot speed studies are used for capacity analysis, geometric design, safety measrues,
speed trends and assessment.

3.0 APPARATUS

i. Data collection form

ii. Radar gun
iii. Stop watch

Figure 3.1 : Data paper

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Figure 3.2 : Radar gun

Figure 3.3 : Stop watch

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4.0 PROCEDURE

1) Organize Study Plan

The literature suggests that speed data be collected for a minimum of one hour and
observed at least 30 vehicles; however depending upon the type of technology used to
complete the study, and the complexity of the study and the other.

2) Select Data Collection Method

i. Stopwatch Method

The stopwatch method can be used to successfully complete a spot speed study using a
small sample size that taken over a relatively short period of time. The stopwatch method
that was a quick and inexpensive method for collecting speed data.

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 3) Select Appropriate Site and Collect Field Data

Select the appropriate area to create a spot speed study experiment. Next, by using a
radar gun to see the speed of the car being driven on the road. After that, the speed data
must be written on the paper provided.

4) Analyze Data

Refer data analysis, calculation & result to create a complete frequency distribution
table for set of speed data.

5. Interpret and Report Findings

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5.0 DATA ANALYSIS

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6.0 DISCUSSION

After the study was completed and the data have been tabulated the following steps may
be considered as part of the typical data analysis. Further more, the idea would be to identify
key Parameters associated with roadway speeds, which may include any or all of the following:

Table 1 : Frequency Distribution Table For Set Of Speed Data

Class Mean Class v2 f.v (f.v)2 Percentage Accumulative

interval Speed, Frequency, Of Frequency

(Km/h) V f Frequency, Percentage

(km,h) % %

30-33 31.5 1 992.25 31.5 992.25 2.63 2.63

34-37 35.5 4 1260.25 142 5041 10.53 13.16

38-41 39.5 14 1560.25 553 21843.5 36.84 50

42-45 43.5 9 1892.25 391.5 17030.25 23.68 73.68

46-49 47.5 7 2256.25 332.5 15793.75 18.42 92.1

50-53 51.5 3 2652.25 154.5 7956.75 7.89 100

Total = 38

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Plot a graph of:
a) Histogram Graph – Percentage Of Frequency Vs Class Interval.

Percentage of Frequency vs Class Interval

40
Percentage Of Frequency, %

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Class interval (Km/h) Percentage Of Frequency, %

Class Interval, (km/h)

b) Curve Graph – Percentage Of Frequency Vs Mean Speed

Percentage of Frequency VS Mean Speed

60
Percentage Of Frequency, %

50

40

30

20

10

0
31.5 35.5 39.5 43.5 47.5 51.5

Mean Speed,v (km/h)

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c) Ogif Graph – Percentage Of Cumulative Frequency Vs Mean Speed.

From the Cumulative frequency curve (c) , determine speed percentiles;

 15th Percentile Speed (P15)

 50th Percentile Speed (P50)
 85th Percentile Speed (P85)

Speed percentiles at point :

A. P 15 : 35.5 km/h
B. P 50 : 39.5 km/h
C. P 85 : 45.4 km/h

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 Common layout for conducting spot speed studies using a stopwatch. When choosing a
location and layout, care must be taken so that the observer can see clearly about any vertical
references. Next, observers should be placed higher than the study area and looking down. Its
position may be on a bridge or a slope behind the road.

Observers should use reference points to assist in collecting the elapsed time required
by the vehicle to pass through the study area. Moreover, the reference point for starting timing
may be a brightly colored vertical pole. The reference point to the expiration time may be a tree
or a signpost to facilitate the observer’s vision. An accurate site sketch must be documented,
including the number of lanes, the position of the observer, and a description of the reference
point.

7.0 CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, spot speed study and intersection analysis and signal evaluation help us
obtain the following benefits such as spot speed study and intersection analysis and signal
evaluation field study implementation, familiarity with standard procedures and standard forms,
data presentation techniques, data analysis, field experience and applications, working groups ,
professional presentation skills, decision interpretation, and professional software
implementation.

Lastly, we can conclude that when doing the experiment we should be focus to get the
accurate data. Spot speed study was very important to determine the speed distribution of a
traffic stream at a specific location and the data gathered in spot speed studies are used to
determine vehicle speed percentiles, which are useful in making many speed-related decisions.

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8.0 REFERENCE

1) Aqilah Hamid.(2017). SPOT SPEEDSTUDY. LAB REPORT DCC 3113 HIGHWAY

& TRAFFIC ENGINEERING.
https://www.academia.edu/42709858/SPOT_SPEED_STUDY.21.12.2021.21.12.201.
1430 pm

2) HIGHWAY LABORATORY CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT SULTAN

AZLAN SHAH POLYTECHNIC EXPERIMENT TITTLE
OBJEKTIF.https://pdfslide.net/documents/speed-spot-study-lab-
report.html.21.12.2021. 1845pm

3) SPOT SPEED STUDY.2012.

http://civilengineeringlaboratory.blogspot.com/2012/02/spot-speed-
study.html.21.12.2021.22.12.2021. 2350 pm

4) UiTM Spot Speed Study Lab Report Highway And Traffic Engineering (Universiti
Teknologi MARA Reporthttps://www.scribd.com/document/533277279/Uitm-Spot-
Speed-Study-Lab-Report
22.12.2021. 12.19 am

5) UiTM Spot Speed Study Highway and Traffic Engineering (ECG564).2021.

https://www.studocu.com/my/document/universiti-teknologi -mara/highway-and-
traffic-engineering/uitm-spot-speed-study-lab-report/13958966. 26.12.21021. 01:19 am

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