Nicole UWASE 20RP04569

ICT department

IT Option

Level7 year3

TOPIC: NPD COUNT SURVEY

SYSTEM
9th June 2023
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 General introduction

As sustainable roads play a crucial role in developing the economy of our country, i decide to
orient my research project in developing computerized system that will help NPD Ltd to do
traffic count survey by collecting and analyzing automatically, that is usually done by using
Paper base system. whereby i will develop a mobile application and a web application that will
be used by data analyst to analyze data provided by the data collectors via their mobile app.
Collecting data via paper base system result into many problems that leads to poor roads
construction and wastage of resources that occur due to inappropriate (manual) way of collecting
data that leads to loss of data due to paper slashed and bugs/errors that are made while
performing the calculation manually, etc. After realizing it we were like why not solving this
issue using digital way? Yet, it is possible; under my research topic entitled “NPD Traffic
Count Survey System”

1.2 Background of the study

The construction of roads requires to collect data by applying traffic count survey so that to
design road based on traffic design report. NPD Ltd do traffic analysis with aim of designing a
sustainable road.

the traffic count helps them to count by finding the existing traffic volume on the planned roads
and/or major corridors, to analyze the existing traffic condition, and provide traffic design for the
highways/roads. The traffic count survey is done during the day and night for a given period of
time they are going to count.

The way NPD collect data; they send data collectors on the fields (spots) for the purpose of
collecting traffic volume on the planned roads. Collectors are given paper sheets that contain all
categories of vehicles and the common vehicles in Rwanda are classified into 12 classes such as
Motorcycle, cars that include all cars and taxis, utility (including pickups, jeep and other 4-wheel
drive vehicles), Microbus (less than 16 seats), Minibus (16-39 seats), Large buses (Over 39
seats), Light Truck (2 axles under three tones unloaded weight), Medium truck (2 axles over
three tones unloaded weight), Heavy truck (3 axles), Trailer and trailer trucks, Bicycles and
Tempo the auto tempos and auto vans and when the vehicle pass to the road the collector tick to
the vehicle and at the end of day, the collectors have to report the total number of vehicles in
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each category and grand total of all categories so that to get gross vehicles weight, then fill the
data collected in excel (Data entry). They calculate vehicles length and detector length to get the
occupancy, annual average daily truck traffic, average daily truck, critical speed directional
design-hour volume, directional flow rate and ratio, Gross vehicle weight, And all these
calculation are done manually and the design based on the result from the NPD collectors from
field.[1]

1.3 Problem Statement

Nowadays Rwanda is developing technology in all fields and NPD like other companies that is in
charge of roads construction uses paper base system that leads to long time of roads construction
due to analog system for collecting, analyzing and processing data. loss of data (due to paper
slashed and errors while performing calculation manually and while filling data in excel that
sometime got corrupted and leads to loss of data), inappropriate way of collecting data that leads
to roads damage due to poor analysis hence wastage of money and resources. And the project i
wish to implement will be a solution to all these problems and improve the economy of our
country.

1.4 Objectives

1.4.1 General Objective

The main objective of my study is to change from manual system (Paper base system) into
computerized system that will reduce the time it takes to process the collected data as well as the
cost that results into poor construction of roads hence decrease the development of our economy.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of my project proposal are:

➢ Rapidity roads construction since it will take short time to collect and process data
➢ Due to digital system (mobile application) it will be easier and encourage the collectors to
collect relevant data

➢ Save time wasted while collecting and processing data manually

➢ Removing cost for excel data entry manually
➢ reducing cost and resources due to short time

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 ➢ safe way of keeping/storing data
➢ Accurate outcomes (information) to design sustainable roads since the system will be
performing the calculation automatically

1.5 Research Questions

Research question is all about the question that my research will intend to answer. And they are
listed as follows;

➢ How will the system work?

➢ Where will we get the information?
➢ Will the system solve the problems found in current system?
➢ Are we the first to this study, or this study has been addressed before?
➢ What will our study contribute to the economy?
➢ Will the system be beneficial to users?
➢ How long will the system be developed?

1.6 Hypothesis of the study

Hypothesis of my study will be based on observing what will be the outcome/result i mainly
focused on providing the answer of the question i asked to make my study possible. As i observe
according to my study, the assumption to my research study i mainly focused on the contribution
of my study to the economy as i wish to implement the system that will improve the development
of our economy through sustainable roads, that will solve poor roads issues and reduce resources
and money wasted and it will improve the economy of our country since transport will be easier.
I estimated that my system will be developed within 8 weeks. I estimated that my study will
solve the problem the current system was facing. I also estimated where i will get information
from and predict that i will get the information from NPD that is in charge of roads construction.

1.7 Scope of the study

My project will only consider the traffic count survey among all other NPD’s works and my
focus is specifically on road construction as the aim of the company.

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For data collection, mobile app will be used to count all vehicles basing on their categories and
data will be sent to web application (data analyst dashboard). After data reaches on web, analyst
will do data cleaning and provide traffic design report.
For data processing, web app will be used to calculate AADT and ADT automatically so that
have final road design report.[2]

1.8 Significance of the study

The significance of my study will explain the importance of why i will do this project.

➢ Providing automated system

➢ To shorten time for road construction project
➢ To reduce resources needed to design new road
➢ Finding way of increase the rapidity of road construction which will increase country
economy

➢ Providing easy way of collecting data so that to encourage collectors in their work.

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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Currently the traffic count survey is done using manual systems (paper-based system, filling
collected data in excel and processing data manually). Which could result in roads construction
delays then what if this digital system is provided? the process of collecting and processing data
will be very quick.

2.1 Data collection

Data collection is the procedure of collecting, measuring and analyzing accurate insights for
research using standard validated techniques. As the first step of research, we have observed how
data used to be collected from the spot or field.[3]

2.2 Mobile Application

Mobile app is a type of application software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a
smartphone or tablet computer. For this system data collectors will be collecting and sending
data to data analyst automatically using mobile app. During the development of this app, flutter
will be the best free and open-source mobile UI framework.[4]

2.3 Web Application

A Web application (Web app) is an application program that is stored on a remote server and
delivered over the Internet through a browser interface. Web services are Web apps by definition
and many, although not all, websites contain Web apps. According to Web.AppStorm editor
Jarel Remick, any website component that performs some function for the user qualifies as a
Web app. System analyst will use this web app for data analysis.[5]

2.4 Programming technologies

2.4.1 Flutter

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Flutter is an open source framework by Google for building beautiful, natively compiled,
multiplatform applications from a single codebase. This mobile app will be well designed and
native using flutter.[6]
2.4.2 Django

It is high level python web framework that used to develop and clean rapidity, it takes care of
much of the hassle of web development, so you can focus on writing your app without needing to
reinvent the wheel. It’s free and open source.

For traffic count system analyst will have web application to clean and process data and provide
the outcomes as well.

Django will be used to develop API to link mobile app for collector and web app for system
analyst.[7]

2.4.3 React

React is free and open-source front-end JavaScript library for building the system user interfaces
base on UI components. It is the technology we will use in front-end development.

2.4.4 Database (PostgreSQL)

This is organized storage of system’s data, generally data are stored electronically in the
computer system instead of storing data in excel. Relating this technology to Traffic Count
Survey System, fields data should be stored so that all manipulations or operations will be
performed upon those data.[8]

PostgreSQL is the database technology we will use as the way of storing daily data collected. It
is a powerful, open source object-relational database system with over 30 years of active
development that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and
performance.

2.5 Research framework

As the research conceptual framework explains the relationship between variables (independent
and dependent) which are main variables of any system software. In my study as shown in
illustration below, as long as data will be collected and sent to system analysist for the data
cleaning and processing to provide road design.
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 Data collection by data sent to web app
Result for road
collector using mobile app for data analysis
design

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter explains all the methods of system research including techniques of data collection
and analysis, the model and requirements to be used in the development of the system as well as
its Functionalities,

3.1 Analysis of existing system

The initial step while developing an application program consists of what to be solved and what
should be done. Collecting data from the spot by using paper-based system and excel for data
entry. After analyzing the work process of existing system will be helpful for me to develop new
mobile and web base system.

3.2 Data collection Techniques

In order to decide this idea as project which will be helpful to the roads. Here are some research
methods considered to be used in data collection process:

• Observation method
• Interview method

• Internet research method

3.2.1 Observation

This method requires the presence of researcher on the ground field so that to observe the
situation using eyes and get information from the work place. For me, i will observe the
situations from the fields (spot).

3.2.2 Interview

To understand deeply the requirements and the problem domain, Interview is the technique
which will help ,me to achieve the aim of this work. I will prepare the interview sessions for the
company and collectors.

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 3.2.3 Internet research
The internet will be the source of more related information to my research problem where some
technical terms should be well clarified. Some companies have websites contains how they work.

3.3 System Development Methods

3.3.1 Software Development Process Methodologies

The software development process focuses on the phase of activities directly related to
production of the software, for example design, coding, and testing. Model

3.3.2 Prototyping model

Prototyping is developed based on the currently known requirements and is designed for online
systems which are OOA. By using this prototype, the client can get an “actual feel” of the
system, since the interactions with prototype can enable the client to better understand the
requirements of the desired system.

Advantages of using Prototyping model

• Users are actively involved in the development

• The users get a better understanding of the system being developed.

• Errors can be detected much earlier.

• Quicker user feedback is available leading to better solutions.

• Missing functionality can be identified easily

• Confusing or difficult functions can be identified in Requirements validation step

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 3.4 Work plan

My research proposal work plan will help me to arrange the tasks/activities that i will be
performed during the study, manage the workflow and help me meet the deadline i estimated.

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 3.5 References

These are the list of references i used while conducting my research proposal.

[1] Traffic Data Computation Method POCKET GUIDE, Publication No. FHWA-PL-18-027
August 2018

[2] Traffic Data Computation Method POCKET GUIDE, Publication No. FHWA-PL-18-027
August 2018

[3] Data collection: What it is & methods with examples. QuestionPro. (2022, August 8).
Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.questionpro.com/blog/data-collection/

[4] Techopedia. (2020, August 7). What is a mobile application? - definition from Techopedia.
Techopedia.com. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/2953/mobile-application-mobile-app

[5] Computer - applications. Tutorials Point. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2022, from
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_fundamentals/computer_applications.htm

[7] Build apps for any screen. Flutter. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2022, from
https://flutter.dev/?
gclid=Cj0KCQjw7KqZBhCBARIsAIfTKJ8pf4OTTxiVvIrZYnexY1Reg45lNciKH-

A98oYGcC7rLC17cbO2s0aAuKlEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[8] Django. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.djangoproject.com/

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