Name : Ch.

Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27

1. TRAFFIC VOLUME STUDY AT MID-BLOCK SECTION

1.1 Objective: To determine the classified traffic volume at a mid block section of a highway
using manual method and estimate the peak hour factor.
1.2 Equipment: Stop watch, Tally sheet for classified vehicle count, video camera.
1.3 Theory : A Traffic volume study is a systematic examination of vehicular traffic flow on
roads, streets, intersections. These studies provide essential data for transportation planning traffic
engineering and infrastructure development . These studies are conducted to study the traffic
conditions and the influence of different vehicles of different vehicles on road. These studies help
in obtaining the daily traffic i.e Annual average daily traffic (AADT).
Passenger car unit (PCU): It is general practice when the traffic is compared of types of vehicles,
then to convert them into a single equivalent unit called PCU. The mixed traffic flow
conditions are more complex when compared to homogeneous traffic coming of passenger cars
only.
Peak Flow : It is the highest of traffic that occurs during a specific time period, usually within a
day. It is an important concept in transportation planning and traffic engineering, as it helps assess
the capacity and congestion levels of roadways and intersections.
Peak Hour : Peak flow is often associated with the peak traffic hour or hours during the day when
the highest volume of vehicles is on the road. This is usually during the morning and evening rush
hours in urban areas when commuters are travelling to and from work or school.
Peak Hour Factor : The peak hour factor is ameasure used to describe the degree of congestion
during the peak flow period compared to the average traffic flow during non-peak hours. A PHF
of 1 indicates free-flow conditions, while a PHF greater than 1 indicates congestion.

peak hour volume

Peak Hour Factor=
60
∗maximum value at 5 min ,interval ∈ peak hour
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Name : Ch. Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27

Table 1.1 : PCU Values in Urban Area (IRC: 86-1983) and Rural Area (IRC: 64-1990)
Sl. No Vehicle type PCU(Urban Area) PCU(Rural Area)
1 2 wheeler 0.5
2 3 wheeler 1
3 Car/jeep 1
4 Van/minibus 1
5 LCV/Agricultural Tractor 2 1.5
6 Truck/Bus 3
7 Truck-trailer/Tractor-trailer 3 4.5
8 Bicycle 0.5
9 Hand Cart 6 3
10 Bullock Cart 6 (small), 8(large)
11 Horse Drawn Vehicle 4
12 Cycle-Rickshaw 2

1.4 Data Collection

o As mixed traffic conditions were observed, different groups can be used to count
each type of vehicle that had passed the reference cross-section.
o The counts are to be taken for a total duration of 1 to 2hrs with an interval of 5 to
15 min.
o The individual traffic volume is now converted to total traffic volume using the
PCU values for each class of vehicle
o The peak hour and the peak 15 min period is to be identified, also the volumes at
the peak hour and peak 15 min period are to be computed.
o Peak hour factor is to be estimated.
o The composition of each class of vehicles is to be determined in the total
traffic volume.
Name : Ch. Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27

1.5 Data Analysis:

o The 5 min data should be summed up and represented in hourly format.
o The same PCU values should be assign here also which were used in survey sheets.
o The total volume and total PCU should
be calculated. The hourly data should be
represented as given in table
Pie Chart: Vehicular distribution should be shown in pie chart for the total study period.

Total Volume

2W
3W
0%
2% LCV
15% CAR
2% BUS
VAN/JEEP
HCV
21% 59% TRACTOR
BICYCLE

Figure 1.1 Count of vehicles towards kazipet

Name : Ch. Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27
Table 1.2 Survey Sheet for Traffic count towards NIT warangal
Day & Date: Tuesday, 12-09-2023 Location: NIT Warangal
Start Time: 2:40PM End Time:4:40PM Name of the Road:
Name of the Enumerator: Ch. Sathyanarayana Direction: Towards NIT Warangal
Weather: Sunny Lane: "2" Lane
Time Interval 2W 3W LCV CAR BUS VAN/JEEP HCV TRACTOR BICYCLE TOTAL VOLUME Total pcu
pcu factor 0.5 1 2 1 3 1 3 3 0.5
2.40-2.45 98 32 3 31 5 1 1 0 1 172 137
2.45-2.50 87 32 3 20 0 1 0 1 1 145 106
2.50-2.55 103 25 3 26 7 1 0 1 2 168 134
2.55-3.00 83 31 7 17 6 1 2 0 3 150 129
3.00-3.05 95 41 6 31 4 1 1 0 1 180 148
3.05-3.10 108 34 4 31 1 2 2 0 2 184 138
3.10-3.15 92 27 1 12 3 1 0 0 3 139 97
3.15-3.20 109 41 3 39 4 2 0 0 2 200 155
3.20-3.25 92 37 6 28 6 1 1 1 3 175 148
3.25-3.30 94 35 4 17 3 3 0 2 3 161 125
3.30-3.35 106 44 8 29 6 3 2 0 0 198 169
3.35-3.40 86 26 2 11 3 2 0 1 3 134 98
3.40-3.45 89 37 3 30 3 2 2 0 0 166 135
3.45-3.50 90 40 5 18 5 2 0 0 2 162 130
3.50-3.55 96 27 3 39 3 1 1 1 0 171 136
3.55-4.00 96 40 3 21 6 1 0 1 0 168 137
4.00-4.05 92 39 3 21 5 2 0 1 1 164 132
4.05-4.10 74 45 2 20 1 1 0 0 0 143 110
4.10-4.15 78 46 3 10 4 1 0 0 0 142 114
4.15-4.20 83 40 5 10 1 0 1 0 0 140 108
4.20-4.25 100 47 3 11 3 1 2 1 0 168 133
4.25-4.30 82 23 10 16 2 0 1 0 1 135 109
4.30-4.35 96 28 3 10 4 0 2 0 1 144 110
4.35-4.40 99 48 3 11 2 1 0 0 0 164 122
Total volume 98 32 3 31 5 1 1 0 1 172 137
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Name : Ch. Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27
Table 1.2 Survey Sheet for Traffic count towards Kazipet
Day & Date: Tuesday, 12-09-2023 Location: NIT Warangal
Start Time: 2:40PM End Time:4:40PM Name of the Road:
Name of the Enumerator: Ch. Sathyanarayana Direction: Towards Kazipet
Weather: Sunny Lane: "2" Lane
Time Interval 2W 3W LCV CAR BUS VAN/JEEP HCV TRACTOR BICYCLE TOTAL VOLUME Total pcu
pcu factor 0.5 1 2 1 3 1 3 3 0.5
2.40-2.45 101 38 5 20 5 0 1 1 0 171 140
2.45-2.50 93 30 5 31 3 0 1 0 0 163 130
2.50-2.55 96 40 9 32 1 0 0 0 0 178 141
2.55-3.00 113 13 9 34 5 0 0 1 0 175 140
3.00-3.05 85 35 1 21 4 0 1 1 0 148 119
3.05-3.10 97 25 2 35 2 0 0 0 0 161 119
3.10-3.15 91 34 1 17 3 0 2 0 0 148 114
3.15-3.20 91 33 0 13 4 0 1 0 0 142 107
3.20-3.25 86 34 7 17 6 0 0 0 0 150 126
3.25-3.30 103 25 2 28 2 0 1 0 0 161 118
3.30-3.35 97 34 5 17 4 0 0 0 0 157 122
3.35-3.40 98 41 7 25 3 0 0 2 0 176 144
3.40-3.45 74 23 4 24 2 0 0 0 0 127 98
3.45-3.50 92 44 2 23 4 0 1 0 0 166 132
3.50-3.55 110 45 3 24 1 0 1 0 0 184 136
3.55-4.00 96 25 3 18 3 0 0 0 0 145 106
4.00-4.05 89 31 2 24 7 0 0 0 0 153 125
4.05-4.10 89 47 5 21 2 0 1 1 0 166 135
4.10-4.15 97 33 4 34 2 0 0 2 0 172 136
4.15-4.20 111 42 3 31 3 0 1 0 0 191 147
4.20-4.25 95 34 3 23 4 0 1 0 0 160 126
4.25-4.30 88 40 3 27 1 0 0 1 0 160 123
4.30-4.35 97 35 1 23 3 0 0 0 0 159 118
4.35-4.40 85 42 3 22 4 0 0 1 0 157 128
Total volume 101 38 5 20 5 0 1 1 0 171 140
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Name : Ch. Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27

1.6Observations and Calculations:

1. Peak hour factor towards NIT Warangal
Peak hour period = 3:00 – 4:00
Peak 5 min period = 3:30 – 3:35
Maximum volume in peak 5 min period = 169pcu/5min
Maximum volume in peak hour = 1615pcu/year
peak hour volume
Peak Hour Factor=
60
∗maximum value at 5 min ,interval ∈ peak hour
5
= 1615/12*5
=0.796
2. Peak hour factor towards Kazipet

Peak hour Period= 3:30-4:30

Peak 5 min period= 4:15-4:20
Maximum volume in peak 5 min period= 147pcu/year
Maximum volume in peak hour= 1527pcu/year

peak hour volume

Peak Hour Factor=
60
∗maximum value at 5 min ,interval ∈ peak hour
5
= 1527/12*5
= 0.86565

Count of Vehicles

2W 3W LCV CAR BUS

VAN/JEEP HCV TRACTOR BICYCLE

Figure 1.2 Count of vehicles towards NIT Warangal

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Name : Ch. Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27

1.7Results: The peak hour factor and the peak hour flows are calculated towards NIT Warangal and towards
Kazipet at Wadepally Y Junction .The peak hour factors towards nit Warangal and towards
Kazipet are 0.796 and 0.86565 respectively and peak hour volumes 1615 and 1527 respectively.

1.8 Discussions: The peak hour factor closer to 1 indicates a uniform traffic while the value
closer to 0.25 indicated congested level of traffic.

There fore the traffic at the Wadepally Y junction represents the uniform traffic in the both
ways i.e towards NIT Warangal and Kazipet Y junction
1.9Applications:

1. It Provide better means for development of infrastructures

2. It Provide better means to utilize other roads in case of special events in the city

3. It Provide estimate of no vehicles against no of persons

Limitations:
 There is a possibility of human errors as it is calculated manually by the people
 Leads to lot data collection and calculation of the data
 Care should be taken inorder to not to miss any data

Further Reading:
o Guideline for Capacity of Roads in Rural Areas, IRC 86-1983
o Traffic Engineering Handbook, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
o L. R. Kadiyali, Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning, 7th edition, 2012.
o FD Hobbs, Traffic Planning and Engineering, 2nd Edition, 1979
o Khisty, C. and M. Kyte. (1991). Lab and Field Manual for Transportation
Engineering, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

o IRC 86-1983, IRC 64-1990

Web Resources:
.http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/traffichandbook/3trafficcounts.pdf
.http://nptel.ac.in/courses/105101008/downloads/cete_05.p

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Name : Ch. Sathyanarayana
Roll No : 23CEM3R27

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