FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE ECG354

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED
33
(%)
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK

EXPERIMENT RUNNING SPEED

Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as
Level 0) will not be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance
independent learning activities and inculcate creativity and innovation. The
traditional method is fully prescriptive where the three elements namely
problem, ways & means and answers are provided/fully given to the
students. However, it is still necessary to be implemented as part of the
whole laboratory course activity especially to first and second year
students.
In this laboratory activity, running speed is determined by dividing the total
distance by the total running time (only the time vehicle is in motion) for the
route. That is, all stop-time delays are excluded. Running speed studies are
conducted over a specified route for determining quality of service between
alternate routes. In this laboratory activity, the traffic pattern at a distance of
0.5 kilometers between two points is identify by dividing the total distance
with the total running time taken.

Objective
PREAMBLE
The objective of the test is:
1. To determine the speed of vehicles travel between two points by
using manual calculation.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Identify the pattern of the running speed between two points at a
particular location
2. Analyze the data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce a technical report.

©FKA, UiTM, JENGKA OKTOBER 2021

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL

Theoretical Background
For selecting a location and layout; care must be exercised so that the
observer can clearly see any vertical reference posts. The observer should
be positioned higher than the study area and be looking down. When
recording observations on Stopwatch Spot Speed Data Form, the observer
should be records the date, location, and posted speed limit, weather
conditions, start time, end time, and down time. The watch is stopped when
the vehicle’s front wheels pass a reference line in front of the observer.
To calculate vehicle speed, use the predetermined study area length and
the elapsed time as recorded on the stopwatch data form.
The formula is V = d / t unit in (km/hr).

Running speed study is designed to measure the speed at a specific

location under the traffic and environmental conditions prevailing at the
time of the study and determined between two points on a roadway.
Speeds vary with the type of road and traffic volume. Level of service
based on speed is an indicator of quality of traffic flow.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
In this laboratory activity, a distance of 0.5 km between two points at
particular location is chosen and a time for a vehicle passing through from
first point to another point is recorded. The running speed is measured by
dividing the distance passing through with the time taken. Common unit is
km/hr.

Apparatus
i. Stop watch
ii. Distance tape measurement

Procedures
i. Study site location preferably is a straight stretch section of road
(usually at least 0.5 kilometers (km)). Marks as point A and B (at the
beginning and end of the test section).
ii. There should be two observer groups, with at least two members each
place at point A and B.
WAYS & MEANS iii. Select a position from where the drivers will not be aware that their
vehicles are being recorded
iv. Each observer records the last three or four digits of the plate number
of each car that passes, together with the time at which the car
passes.
v. Observe and record the delay time (stop at traffic light or etc).
vi. Match the times of arrival at the beginning and end of the test section
for each plate number recorded. The difference between these times
is the traveling time of each vehicle (minus delay/stop time if
applicable)
vii. The speed samples should be at least 50 matched plate number for
reasonably accurate results.

©FKA, UiTM, JENGKA OKTOBER 2021

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL

Data Acquisition
All data must be tabulate in this format:

No. Plat No. Distance (km) Time (h) Speed (km/hr)

Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Running speed:
The average speed maintained over a particular distance which the vehicle
is in motion.
RESULTS Running Speed = Distance/ (Time travel – time delay)

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the
relevancy of the set-out out put to achieve the objective. The format of the
report is left to the creativity discretion of the group.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©FKA, UiTM, JENGKA OKTOBER 2021