Table of Contents

Question A1...........................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Determine and Calculate the following speed terms..............................................................2
1.1.1 The arithmetic mean speed............................................................................................2
1.1.2 The median speed..........................................................................................................3
1.1.3 PACE.............................................................................................................................3
1.1.4 Mode or Modal Speed....................................................................................................4
1.2 Develop the cumulative distribution curve............................................................................4
1.3 Probability.............................................................................................................................5
Question A2...........................................................................................................................................6
Question A3...........................................................................................................................................8
Question A3 Calculations..................................................................................................................9

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Question A1
1.1 Determine and Calculate the following speed terms

Speed Class Mid No of vehicle f*u % of Cumulative % of

class(km/hr) value,u observed, f observation all observation
in class
44-47.9 45.95 1 45.950 0.286 0.29
48-51.9 49.95 2 99.900 0.571 0.86
52-55.9 53.95 2 107.900 0.571 1.43
56-59.9 57.95 4 231.800 1.143 2.57
60-63.9 61.95 11 681.450 3.143 5.71
64-67.9 65.95 24 1582.800 6.857 12.57
68-71.9 69.95 40 2798.000 11.429 24.00
72-75.9 73.95 48 3549.600 13.714 37.71
76-79.9 77.95 63 4910.850 18.000 55.71
80-83.9 81.95 40 3278.000 11.429 67.14
84-87.9 85.95 34 2922.300 9.714 76.86
88-91.9 89.95 29 2608.550 8.286 85.14
92-95.9 93.95 25 2348.750 7.143 92.29
96-99.9 97.95 13 1273.350 3.714 96.00
100-103.9 101.95 5 509.750 1.429 97.43
104-107.9 105.95 3 317.850 0.857 98.29
108-111.9 109.95 1 109.950 0.286 98.57
112-115.9 113.95 2 227.900 0.571 99.14
116-119.9 117.95 2 235.900 0.571 99.71
120-123.9 121.95 1 121.950 0.286 100.00
TOTAL 350 27962.5

1.1.1 The arithmetic mean speed

∑ f i ui
Mean = i
N
27962.5
¿
365
¿ 79.893 km/hr

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1.1.2 The median speed

The median is the middle number, based on N is even, the median is the average of the 2 middle
numbers

Cumulative Frequency versus

speed
105.00
90.00
Cumulative Frqeuncy, %

75.00
60.00
45.00
30.00
15.00
0.00

Vehicle speed, km/hr

So, the median speed class=76-79.9 km/h

Median speed =P50 = 76.2 km/hr

1.1.3 PACE

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 Normal Frequency Distributi on Curve
Frequency VS Speed
70

60

50

40
Frequency

30 15 km/hr

20

10

0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Vehicle Speed ,KM/h

Speed ranging from 69 to 84km/h has the greatest number of vehicle observation. This speed range is
taken around 15km/h window which encompasses the highest portion of observed speed.
Hence, Pace = 69 – 84 km/h

1.1.4 Mode or Modal Speed

Mode speed class = 76 – 79.9 km/h (speed that occurs most frequently)
Thus, mode speed 78 km/h
63 vehicles are observed at this speed class.

1.2 Develop the cumulative distribution curve

Develop the cumulative distribution curve from table 1 speed data, and Determine the median speed,
P50 and the eighty fifth percentile speed, P85 from this curve.

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 Cumulative Frequency versus speed
100.00
90.00
80.00
70.00
Cumulative Frqeuncy, %

60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130

Vehicle speed, km/hr

Therefore,
Median speed P50 = 76.20 km/hr
Eighty Fifth percentile, P85 = 90 km/hr

1.3 Probability
Determine how much chance (probability) of fines authorities would receive from observing
speeding drivers travelling on this road. Authorities have specified the posted speed limit on this road
to be 90 km/hr; with a 4km/h leeway to speeding motorist

Class mid value,ui No of vechicles observed, fi 2

(u−mean) . f i
45.95 1 1152.12
49.95 2 1793.15
53.95 2 1346.06
57.95 4 1925.96
61.95 11 3541.41
65.95 24 4665.68
69.95 40 3954.42
73.95 48 1695.24
77.95 63 237.81
81.95 40 169.27
85.95 34 1247.43
89.95 29 2933.24
93.95 25 4940.08

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 97.95 13 4238.79
101.95 5 2432.59
105.95 3 2036.92
109.95 1 903.43
113.95 2 2319.78
117.95 2 2896.69
121.95 1 1768.80
350 46198.86

Mean = Arithmetic mean = 79.89 km/hr

Allowed Speed = 90 km/hr (posted speed) + 4 km/hr (leeway) = 94 km/hr

√
2
( ui−mean) × f i
Standard Deviation , σ=
350

¿
√ 46198.86
365
=11.25

X-mean 94-79.89
Z= = =1.254
σ 11.25
Probability that the Road and Traffic Authority receive the fines is:

P=1−(Z >1.20)
¿ 1−¿ (1.254)
¿-0.254
It can be concluded, that he probability of fines authorities would receive from observing speeding
drivers on this road is 0.254 = 25.4%

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In accordance with the standardised cumulative probability table (shown above), when Z= 1.254
Hence, by interpolation, P = 0.9471.

Probability that the Road and Traffic Authority receive the fines is:
1 – 0.9471 = 0.0529 = 5.29%

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Question A2
Determine traffic volumes for both directions and examine whether the operational speed for both
directions from this observation are compatible with the existing speed limit.

From Johnson St. to James Avenue (assume eastward)

Time of the trip Number of vehicles
Time of commencement Journey Time No. of vehicles No. of No. of vehicles
of journey (Te) overtaking vehicles met in opposite
observer (Oe) overtaken by direction (Ne)
observer {Pe)
09:20 2.51 1 0 48
09:30 2.58 2 1 46
09:40 2.36 2 2 49
09:50 3.00 2 1 52
10:00 2.42 2 2 59
10:10 2.50 0 1 55
Average 2.56 1.50 1.17 51.5

From James Avenue to Johnson St. (assume westward)

Time of the trip Number of vehicles
Time of commencement Journey Time No. of vehicles No. of No. of vehicles
of journey (Tw) overtaking vehicles met in opposite
observer (Ow) overtaken by direction (Nw)
observer (Pw)
09:25 2.49 2 0 36
09:35 2.36 2 1 34
09:45 2.73 4 1 42
09:55 2.41 3 2 38
10:06 2.80 2 0 42
10:15 2.48 1 1 39
Average 2.55 2.33 0.83 38.5

*It is a 1.6 km 2-way highway.

From James Avenue to Johnson St. (Assumed toward west) = Volume in the westbound direction

( N ¿ ¿ e +Ow −P w )× 60
Volume, Vw = ¿
T e +T w
(51.5+2.33−0.83)× 60
=
2.56+2.55
= 622.31 veh/hr

60 ×(O w −Pw )
Average Travelling time in the westbound direction = T w −
Vw

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 60 ×(2.33−0.83)
= 2.55−
622.31
= 2.41 minutes

Road Distance
Travelling Stream Speed =
Time
1.6 km
= 2.41 = 38.83 km/hr
hr
60

Therefore, the flow and speed in westbound direction is 622.31 vehicles/hr and 39.83 km/hr
respectively.

From Johnson St. to James Avenue = Volume in the eastbound direction

( N ¿ ¿ w +Oe −Pe ) ×60

Volume, Ve = ¿
T e +T w
(38.5+1.5−1.17)× 60
=
2.56+2.55
= 456 vehicles/hr

60 ×(Oe −Pe )
Average Travelling time in the eastbound direction = T e −
Ve
60 ×(1.5−1.17)
= 2.56−
456
= 2.52 minutes

Road Distance
Travelling Stream Speed =
Time
1.6
= 2.5
60
= 38.1 km/hr

Therefore, the flow and speed in the eastbound direction is 456 vehicles/hr and 38.1 km/hr
respectively.

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As we know the existing speed currently in the area is 40km/h. Vehicles travelling from Johnson St.
to James Avenue have an average speed of 40km/h, additionally, vehicles travelling from James
Avenue to Johnson St have an average speed of 38.1km/hr. Hence, the operational speeds for both
directions from this observation are compatible with the existing speed limit as cars travel at an
average speed of 39.83 km/hr (westward direction) and 38.1 km/hr (eastward direction) respectively.

Question A3

In a traffic stream of vehicle 35 percent of the vehicles travel at a constant speed of 60km/hr, 35
percent at a constant speed of 80km/hr and the remaining vehicles travel at a constant speed of
100k/hr. An observer travelling at the constant speed of 70 km/hr. with the traffic stream over a
length of 5 km is passed by 17 vehicles more than he passes. When the observer travels against the
traffic stream at the same speed and over the same length of highway the number of vehicles met is
303. DETERMINE and ANSWER;(30 Marks)

W E

Observer

35% travelling at 60 km/hr

35 % travelling at 80km/hr
30 % travelling at 100 km/hr

3.1 The mean speed and flow of this traffic stream

 The mean speed is 78.32km/hr in this traffic stream. Flow of this is traffic stream is 2240
vehicles/hour.

3.2 The number of vehicles travelling at 100 km/hr pass the observer, while he travels with the stream

 15 vehicles travelling at 100 km/hr pass the observer while he travels with the observer.

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3.3 Is the time mean or the space mean speed obtained by this technique?

 Space mean speed is obtained by this technique. Space mean speed method is used to measure
speed of all the vehicles passing on a given length of road.

Question A3 Calculations

3.1 The mean speed and the flow of this traffic stream

Nw +(Oe−Pe)
The flow/volume of the traffic stream, Ve =
Te+Tw
From the question: Oe - Pe=17 vehicles
Number of vehicles travelling east in the opposite lane, Nw = 303 vehicles
5 km
Time travelling east (Te ) = km
70 .
hr
5 km
Time travelling west (Tw ) = km
70 .
hr
Therefore, Te = Tw

303+(17)
Nw +(Oe−Pe)
Hence Ve = == 5 5 = 2240 vehicle per hour
Te+Tw +
70 70
Therefore, Flow of traffic stream is 2240 vehicles/hr

(Oe−Pe) 5 60 . ( 17 )
Average Travel time Te = Te - = − =¿ 0.0638 hr
Ve 70 2240
Road Distance 5 km
Mean Speed = = =¿78.3 km/hr
Time 0.0638 hr
Therefore, mean speed = 78.3km/hr

3.2 The number of vehicles travelling at 100km/hr pass the observer, while he travels with the
stream

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Where Q is the flow at the speed of 100 km/hr in this case
30% of vehicles travel at a constant speed of 100km/hr additionally, flow of traffic stream is
2240vehicles/hr
Therefore, flow of vehicles at the speed of 100km/hr, Q = 0.3 x 2240 = 672 vehicles/hr
5 km
=0.0071hr
Travelling time of the observer, Tw = km
70
hr

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Travelling time of vehicles travelling at 100km/hr over 5km, T 1 = =0.05 hr
100
Q = flow of vehicles travelling at 100km/hr = 672 vehicles/hr
Say number of vehicles passing the observer = y

Therefore, Y = Q (Tw-T1)
= 672 x (0.071-0.05)
Number of vehicles passing the observer =15 Vehicles at a speed of 100 km/hr

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