Report on

TRAFFIC VOLUME SPEED RELATIONS

SUBMITTED TO
SARDAR VALLABH BHAI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

WITH SPECIALIZATION
IN
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING AND PLANNING

SUBMITTED BY:
ABHISHEK SHARMA
(P23TP005)
GUIDED BY
Dr. G.J. Joshi
Dr. Ashish Dhamaniya

PG SECTION TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING AND PLANNING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SARDAR VALLABHBHAI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
SURAT-395007, GUJARAT, INDIA
 Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 4
2 METHODOLOGY: ............................................................................................................ 5
3 DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................. 8
3.1 SVNIT TO DUMAS: ................................................................................................. 8
3.1.1 Speed and flow relationship ............................................................................... 8
3.1.2 Density and flow relationship .......................................................................... 10
3.1.3 Speed Density relation ..................................................................................... 13
3.2 Dumas to SVNIT ..................................................................................................... 16
3.2.1 Speed- Flow relation ........................................................................................ 16
3.2.2 Speed and flow relationship ............................................................................. 20
4 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 22

2
 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Location of survey ...................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2: Per minute vehicle count in SVNIT to Dumas Direction ........................................... 6
Figure 3: Per minute vehicle count in Dumas to SVNIT Direction ........................................... 7
Figure 4: 5 minutes interval groups in SVNIT to Dumas Direction .......................................... 7
Figure 5: 5 minutes interval groups in Dumas to SVNIT Direction .......................................... 7
Figure 6: Flow analysis sheet ..................................................................................................... 8
Figure 7: Standard speed flow ................................................................................................... 8
Figure 8: Speed- Flow relation for small car ............................................................................. 9
Figure 9: Speed- Flow relation for big car ................................................................................. 9
Figure 10: Speed- Flow relation for HCV ................................................................................. 9
Figure 11: Speed- Flow relation for 3W .................................................................................. 10
Figure 12: Speed- Flow relation for Two wheelers.................................................................. 10
Figure 13: Standard flow density relation ................................................................................ 11
Figure 14: Flow-Density relation for 2W ................................................................................ 11
Figure 15: Flow-Density relation for small car........................................................................ 12
Figure 16: Flow-Density relation for Big Car.......................................................................... 12
Figure 17: Flow-Density relation for HCV .............................................................................. 12
Figure 18: Flow-Density relation for 3W ................................................................................ 13
Figure 19: Standard speed density relation .............................................................................. 13
Figure 20: Speed-Density relation for small Car ..................................................................... 14
Figure 21: Speed -Density relation for big Car ........................................................................ 14
Figure 22: Speed ...................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 23: Speed -Density relation for 3W .............................................................................. 15
Figure 24: Speed -Density relation for 2W .............................................................................. 15
Figure 25: Speed- Flow relation for small car ......................................................................... 16
Figure 26: Speed- Flow relation for big car ............................................................................. 16
Figure 27: Speed- Flow relation for HCV ............................................................................... 17
Figure 28: Speed- Flow relation for 3W .................................................................................. 17
Figure 29: Speed- Flow relation for 2W .................................................................................. 17
Figure 30: Speed density relation for small car ....................................................................... 18
Figure 31: Speed- Density relation for big car......................................................................... 18
Figure 32: Speed- Density relation for HCV ........................................................................... 19
Figure 33: Speed- Density relation for 3W .............................................................................. 19
Figure 34: Speed- Density relation for 2W .............................................................................. 19
Figure 35: Speed- Flow relation for small car ......................................................................... 20
Figure 36: Speed- Flow relation for big car ............................................................................. 20
Figure 37: Speed- Flow relation for HCV ............................................................................... 21
Figure 38: Speed- Density relation for 3W .............................................................................. 21
Figure 39: Speed- Density relation for 2W .............................................................................. 21

3
1 INTRODUCTION
Speed, flow, and density are the fundamental variables used in describing traffic flow state.
They're like the three pillars holding up the whole understanding of how traffic behaviour.
The speed flow relationships analysis has become timely in recent years as a vehicle .The fleet
improved, the total amount of traffic increased and th e automated fleet increased more
comprehensively. It became possible to collect data and developing model. The rationale for
the analysis or update is to Improving methods of transport modelling and developing more
stable models. Nevertheless, feedback In essence, road traffic is centered and restricted to non-
congested states, while the most interesting topic will be congestion modelling. Another factor
is that speed-flow curves are usually extracted and validated on the road network used for long-
distance, interurban travel, but as the urban population ratio rises, urban transport and its
strategic planning are becoming increasingly relevant.
However, the theory of traffic flow requires the creation of mathematical relationships among
the main elements of a traffic stream; flow, density, and speed. These partnerships assist the
traffic engineer to prepare, design and assess the efficacy of the implementation of road system
traffic engineering initiatives. On speed-flow relationships, Instead of developing detailed
continuous relationships for a wide variety of flows, these often describe free flow conditions.
In addition, they use traditional approaches that have minimal capabilities. The relationship
between traffic speed and flow in the last six decades has been investigated by researchers in
several countries. There have been numerous speed-flow relationships established, but they are
primarily for uninterrupted flow streams.
The Highway Capacity Manual 1994 (HCM94) offers a recent understanding of the
relationship between empirical speed-flow, which shows that for higher flow volumes, this area
has a more gradual slope with constant speed. The focus is therefore on transport professionals
to concentrate their research efforts on the creation of analytical speed-flow models that can
explain the relationship between speed-flow and real actions. Traffic flow interference causes
speeds to be decreased vehicles to drive closer together and density to increase, these caused
weather conditions, cross-country traffic, a disabled vehicle, an accident or other marginal
conditions can cause interference. Although one or more of these conditions cause further
interference, the volume can still be maintained within certain limits, but with a further
decrease in speed, closer spacing of vehicles, and greater density. If interference becomes so
high that the average speed drops below that needed to sustain steady flow, despite closer
vehicle spacing and greater density, and there is a rapid decrease in speed and traffic flow, and
extreme congestion sets in. The major factors affecting the speed-flow relationship are traffic
composition, free flow velocity, terrain type, road surface conditions, lane width, shoulder
width, weather conditions, etc.
Understanding these fundamental variables and their interactions is crucial for analysing and
managing traffic flow. By monitoring speed, flow, and density, traffic engineers can identify
congestion hotspots, predict traffic patterns, and implement strategies to improve traffic flow
efficiency and safety.
The other variables like headway, spacing, and occupancy provide additional details about
specific aspects of traffic flow, but they ultimately relate back to these core concepts of speed,
flow, and density.

4
Speed: This refers to the rate at which vehicles move, typically measured in miles per hour
(mph) or kilometers per hour (kph). It reflects how quickly cars are traveling on a particular
stretch of road.
Flow: This describes the number of vehicles passing a specific point on a road per unit of time,
often measured in vehicles per hour (vph). It essentially tells us how many cars are moving
through a particular section over a given period.
Density: This indicates the number of vehicles occupying a specific length of road at a
particular time, measured in vehicles per mile (vpm) or vehicles per kilometer (vpk). It reflects
how tightly packed the cars are on the road.
Now, these three variables are interconnected and influence each other. Imagine a highway:
Flow (vph) = Speed (kmph) * Density (vpkm)
This equation highlights how changes in one variable impact the others. For instance, if the
number of cars on a road increases (higher density), the speed inevitably drops (lower flow) to
maintain the equation's balance.
Understanding these fundamental variables and their interactions is crucial for analyzing and
managing traffic flow. By monitoring speed, flow, and density, traffic engineers can identify
congestion hotspots, predict traffic patterns, and implement strategies to improve traffic flow
efficiency and safety.

2 METHODOLOGY:
First, we decided the location of midblock where we can get continuous flow of vehicles. So,
we did Videography survey on Gaurav Path.

Figure 1: Location of survey

5
After we get vehicle video file, from this data we count volume of vehicles mode wise per
minutes in both direction & after that convert it into 5 minutes intervals.

Figure 2: Per minute vehicle count in SVNIT to Dumas Direction

6
 Figure 3: Per minute vehicle count in Dumas to SVNIT Direction

Figure 4: 5 minutes interval groups in SVNIT to Dumas Direction

Figure 5: 5 minutes interval groups in Dumas to SVNIT Direction

This vehicle counts are multiply by 12 so, we can get hourly flow mode wise. After getting
vehicle counts mode wise, we need to find proportion of every category of vehicles so, we have
to divide numbers of particular type of vehicle to total numbers of vehicles that every mode
wise after that we need to convert it into PCU so, we have multiplied proportion of vehicle to
its PCU value.
After that we put proportion of different category of vehicles into flow analysis sheet and we
get speed of respective vehicles.

7
 Figure 6: Flow analysis sheet

After that we got density by Q=KV relationship.

3 DATA ANALYSIS
3.1 SVNIT TO DUMAS:
3.1.1 Speed and flow relationship
The relationship between the speed and flow can be postulated as follows. The flow is zero
either because there is no vehicles or there are too many vehicles so that they cannot move. At
maximum flow, the speed will be in between zero and free flow speed.

Figure 7: Standard speed flow

Comparison of the standard graph with the observed graphs from Svnit to Dumas;

8
 Small Cars
53.5
53.4
53.3
Speed (km/hr) 53.2
53.1
53
52.9
52.8
52.7
52.6
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 8: Speed- Flow relation for small car

Big Cars
53.5
53
52.5
Speed (km/hr)

52
51.5
51
50.5
50
49.5
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 9: Speed- Flow relation for big car

HCV
44.5
44
43.5
Speed (km/hr)

43
42.5
42
41.5
41
40.5
40
39.5
0 50 100 150 200
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 10: Speed- Flow relation for HCV

9
 Three Wheelers
47.5
47
46.5
46
Speed (km/hr) 45.5
45
44.5
44
43.5
43
42.5
42
0 100 200 300 400 500
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 11: Speed- Flow relation for 3W

Two Wheelers
52.5

52
Speed (km/hr)

51.5

51

50.5

50

49.5
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 12: Speed- Flow relation for Two wheelers

Inference
• Most of the graph showing the relation, while the flow increases the speed decreases.
• The graph of small car and big car is more similar to the Greenshield speed flow
relationship.
• When the flow is 1200 to 2000 veh/hr the speed of 2W is almost same.
• The graph of 3W and HCV is highly disturbed, not showing any relation.
3.1.2 Density and flow relationship
The flow and density varies with time and location. The relation between the density and the
corresponding flow on a given stretch of road is referred to as one of the fundamental diagram
of traffic flow. Some characteristics of an ideal flow-density relationship is listed below:
1. When the density is zero, flow will also be zero,since there is no vehicles on the road.
2. When the number of vehicles gradually increases the density as well as flow increases.

10
 3. When more and more vehicles are added, it reaches a situation where vehicles can’t
move. This is referred to as the jam density or the maximum density. At jam density,
flow will be zero because the vehicles are not moving.
4. There will be some density between zero density and jam density, when the flow is
maximum. The relationship is normally represented by a parabolic curve.

Figure 13: Standard flow density relation

Comparison of the standard graph with the observed graphs:

Two Wheelers
2500

2000
Flow (Veh/hr)

1500

1000

500

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Density (veh/km)

Figure 14: Flow-Density relation for 2W

11
 Small Cars
4000

3500

3000
Flow (Veh/hr)

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Density (veh/km)

Figure 15: Flow-Density relation for small car

Big Cars
5000

4000
Flow (Veh/hr)

3000

2000

1000

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Density (veh/km)

Figure 16: Flow-Density relation for Big Car

HCV
200
180
160
Flow (Veh/hr)

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Density (veh/km)

Figure 17: Flow-Density relation for HCV

12
 Three Wheelers
500

400
Flow (Veh/hr)
300

200

100

0
42 43 44 45 46 47 48
Density (veh/km)

Figure 18: Flow-Density relation for 3W

Inferences:
• Three wheelers flow- density curve is similar to standard diagram. Its showing
something related to parabolic relation.
• In the case of two wheeler, bigcar and small car flow density relation is linear.
• In the case of hcv graph is highly disturbed, there can not be some relation find out.

3.1.3 Speed Density relation

Similar to the flow-density relationship, speed will be maximum, referred to as the free flow
speed, and when the density is maximum, the speed will be zero. The most simple assumption
is that this variation of speed with density is linear as shown by the solid line in figure 4.
Corresponding to the zero density, vehicles will be flowing with their desire speed, or free flow
speed. When the density is jam density, the speed of the vehicles becomes zero.

Figure 19: Standard speed density relation

Comparison of the standard graph with the observed graphs:

13
 Small Cars

53.6

53.4

53.2
Speed (km/hr)

53

52.8

52.6

52.4

52.2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Density (veh/km)

Figure 20: Speed-Density relation for small Car

Big Cars

56

55

54
Speed (km/hr)

53

52

51

50

49

48
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Density (veh/km)

Figure 21: Speed -Density relation for big Car

14
 HCV
46
45
Speed (km/hr) 44
43
42
41
40
39
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Density (veh/km)

Figure 22: Speed

-Density relation for HCV

Three Wheelers

48
47
Speed (km/hr)

46
45
44
43
42
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Density (veh/km)

Figure 23: Speed -Density relation for 3W

Two Wheelers

54
Speed (km/hr)

53
52
51
50
49
0 10 20 30 40 50
Density (veh/km)

Figure 24: Speed -Density relation for 2W

15
Inferences:
• Big car, hcv, three wheeler and two wheeler Showing the linear relationship between
speed and density.
• In the case of small cars more number of outliers from the linear relation.
• Free flow speed of vehicle is come in between 45 to 55 kmph.

3.2 Dumas to SVNIT

3.2.1 Speed- Flow relation

Small Cars
3500

3000

2500
Flow (Veh/hr)

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Density (veh/km)

Figure 25: Speed- Flow relation for small car

Big Cars
3000

2500
Flow (Veh/hr)

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Density (veh/km)

Figure 26: Speed- Flow relation for big car

16
 HCV
180
160
140
Flow (Veh/hr)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Density (veh/km)

Figure 27: Speed- Flow relation for HCV

Three Wheelers
700
600
Flow (Veh/hr)

500
400
300
200
100
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Density (veh/km)

Figure 28: Speed- Flow relation for 3W

Two Wheelers
2500

2000
Flow (Veh/hr)

1500

1000

500

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Density (veh/km)

Figure 29: Speed- Flow relation for 2W

17
 • Inferences:
• Road can reach maximum flow rates of 2,000 vehicles per hour.
• Congestion occurs at density levels of 20 vehicles per kilometer, 40 vehicles per
kilometer, 6 vehicles per kilometer, and 10 vehicles per kilometer.
• Congestion often occurs at low flow rate of 180 vehicles per hour.
• Maximum flow rate for big cars is 2500 vehicles per hour, and for small cars is 3500
vph.
• Congestion occurs at density levels of 40 and 60 vehicles per kilometer.

Speed – Density relation

Small Cars

53.6
53.4
Speed (km/hr)

53.2
53
52.8
52.6
52.4
52.2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Density (veh/km)

Figure 30: Speed density relation for small car

Big Cars

56

55

54
Speed (km/hr)

53

52

51

50

49

48
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Density (veh/km)

Figure 31: Speed- Density relation for big car

18
 HCV
46
45
Speed (km/hr) 44
43
42
41
40
39
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Density (veh/km)

Figure 32: Speed- Density relation for HCV

Three Wheelers

47.5
47
46.5
46
Speed (km/hr)

45.5
45
44.5
44
43.5
43
42.5
42
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Density (veh/km)

Figure 33: Speed- Density relation for 3W

Two Wheelers

53.5
53
Speed (km/hr)

52.5
52
51.5
51
50.5
50
49.5
0 10 20 30 40 50
Density (veh/km)

Figure 34: Speed- Density relation for 2W

19
3.2.2 Speed and flow relationship
Comparison of the standard graph with the observed graphs from Dumas to SVNIT;

Small Cars

53.6

53.4

53.2
Speed (km/hr)

53

52.8

52.6

52.4

52.2
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 35: Speed- Flow relation for small car

Big Cars
56

55

54
Speed (km/hr)

53

52

51

50

49

48
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 36: Speed- Flow relation for big car

20
 HCV
46
45
Speed (km/hr) 44
43
42
41
40
39
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 37: Speed- Flow relation for HCV

Three Wheelers

48
Speed (km/hr)

47
46
45
44
43
42
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 38: Speed- Density relation for 3W

Two Wheelers

53.5
53
52.5
Speed (km/hr)

52
51.5
51
50.5
50
49.5
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Flow (Veh/hr)

Figure 39: Speed- Density relation for 2W

21
Inference
• Most of the graph showing the relation, while the flow increases the speed decreases.
• For Small cars, initially Speed is more (more than 52.6 km/h for majority of vehicles)
and after that with increase in flow speed slowly started to decrease.
• The graph of big car is more similar to the Greenshield speed flow relationship.
• For HCV, The Flow of HCV is less compared to other modes and the speed is
decreasing with little increase in flow.
• For 3W, Mostly speed is between 42 to 44 km/hr with increase in flow.
When the flow is 1200 to 2500 veh/hr the speed of 2W is almost same.

4 CONCLUSION
The relationship between the fundamental variables of traffic flow, namely speed, volume, and
density are called the fundamental relations of traffic flow. Here we compare real scenario with
Greenshield model. First consider a mid-block and find out the traffic flow per minutes and
vehicle composition in each direction. This will extrapolate to hourly volume and finding the
speed of vehicle using empirical relation from the vehicle composition. After that we find out
density and graphs of traffic flow variables and compare with standard graphs. Observed Speed
density graph is like theoretical graph. The speed flow graph and flow density curve are some
vehicle compositions showing like fundamental graph. But the amount of outlier is more in
each case. The critical flow condition is not getting in the observed graph. Initial portion of the
graph is following the fundamental relation. But in the reaching to high flow condition sudden
jumps in points are seeing. Comparing all vehicle compositions the big car following
fundamental relationship more.

22