SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

LABORATORY 3

COURSE HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE ECG344

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN ENDED

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK

TRAFFIC VOLUME
TITLE

Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means
are guided and given to the students. However, the answers to the assignment are
left to the students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The
activity is hoping to slowly introduce and inculcates independent learning amongst
students and prepare them for a much harder task of open-ended laboratory
activities.

Traffic flows can be reasonably well when the rate of flow is less than at capacity,
but excessive delay and congestion can occur when the rate of flow is at or near
capacity. In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the appropriate
methods to carry out Traffic Volume Study.
Objectives
PREAMBLE
The objective of the test is:

1. To determine the vehicle composition and trend in the traffic flow stream.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1. Organizing the traffic study in a traffic flow stream (road) and analyze the
peak hour factor and traffic volume measurement.
2. Produce laboratory report in a team
3. Work in group to produce technical report.

©UiTM OCT 2022

SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
LABORATORY 3

Theoretical Background

Traffic volume is defined as the number of vehicles crossing a section of road per
unit time. Traffic volume studies are conducted to collect data on the number of
vehicles that pass a point on a highway facility during a specified time period. High
traffic volume can affect the operation of the road as well as the intersection.
Beside that Traffic Volume Study is to estimate variable such as:

• ADT (average daily traffic )

• Classification count
• Percentage of commercial vehicles
• Characteristic and pattern of traffic flow
• Others

Recently, the top management of UiTM Cawangan Sarawak has received a few
complaints made by students and staffs on the traffic congestion, especially during
PROBLEM the peak hours along a section of road leading to the campus. Rapid development
STATEMENT and more houses built nearby the campus may be the causes of this problem.
Therefore, the campus management has appointed your group to do a traffic
volume study for the road section.

Apparatus

1. multi-gang tally counter

2. Stop watch
3. Clip board and field data survey forms

Procedure
1. Perform necessary preparation such as an accurate watch and set the
correct time, sufficient pens, field data forms and clipboards, mechanical
hand tally counters that are in good condition, safety vest.
2. Select and sketch the layout of the junction (study area) with census
station numbered for each junction arm. The census station must be
a strategic location (safe for the enumerator).

WAYS & 3. Enumerators should arrive 15 to 30 minutes earlier at the site in order to
MEANS familiarize with the location, fill in the general information of the tally forms
(OPEN) that comprised of enumerator’s name, time and date of survey name of site
and weather condition. Identify the current traffic movement (through, left
turn and right turn) and begin at the planed time.
4. Select proper observes’ positions so they can see clearly, safely and easily
count the traffic.
5. Set a stop watch for the desired count interval required every 15 minutes.
Counting should be done for duration of 1-hour.
6. Count the different classification of vehicle and the number of vehicles for
each directional movement.
7. Data are reviewed after the survey for any unusual pattern and for its
accuracy and then data analysis.

©UiTM OCT 2022

SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
LABORATORY 3

Data Acquisition
Form 1a

HIGHWAY TITLE:
ENGINEERING TRAFFIC VOLUME
(ECG304) CHARACTERISTICS
UNIVERSITI STUDIES
TEKNOLOGI MARA LABORATORY
Station ref. : Enumerator:
Direction : Job No./Sheet No.:
Date : Weather:
Time : Start : Interval recorded:
End : minutes
Class of road:
TIME VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION
Car/taxi Van/L.G.V M.G.V H.G.V Bus M/c Others

NOTE: L.G.V = Light Good Vehicle (< 3tonne) – include utiity vehicle
(pickup)
M.G.V = Medium Good Vehicle – two axles
H.G.V = Heavy Good Vehicle (Large lorry, trailer, heavy vehicle
with 3 axles and more)
M/c = Motorcycle, P/c = Pedal cycle

©UiTM OCT 2022

SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
LABORATORY 3

Table 1a: conversion of Vehicle/hour into PCU/hour

Type of vehicles Total in Conversion Total in PCU/hr

Vehicle/hr factor

Car/taxi
Van/L.G.V
Medium Good
Vehicle
Heavy Good
Vehicle
Motorcycle
Bus

TOTAL TOTAL

Percentage of commercial vehicles,

[ ]
van/LGV + MGV + HGV + Bus
× 100
Pc = Total no of vehicles.

Table 1b: conversion factors to PCU

Type of Equivalent Value in PCU

Vehicle
Rural Urban Round Traffic Signal
Standards Standards About Design
Design

Passenger 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Cars

Motorcycles 1.00 0.75 0.75 0.33

Light Vans 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00

Medium 2.50 2.50 2.80 1.75

Lorries

Heavy 3.00 3.00 2.80 2.25

Lorries

Busses 3.00 3.00 2.80 2.25

©UiTM OCT 2022

SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
LABORATORY 3

Data from field work must be verify and check for its accuracy before further analyzing
is done. The results of the study may be presented in the following format;

i. In a summary traffic flow table.

ii. Pie chart to show proportions of volumes by type of vehicles.

iii. Histogram and graph (line graph) to illustrate traffic volume over time.

Discussion and Conclusion

Students have to write discussion and conclusion based on the objectives of the
study.

ANSWERS The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
(Open) highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of
the set-out output to achieve the objective. In the report each group must present
solutions to the problem that may arise in the traffic volume studies based on the
data obtained from the laboratory tests.

The report must be submitted 7 days after the laboratory date

©UiTM OCT 2022