TRAFFIC VOLUME STUDIES-II

METHODS OF TRAFFIC VOLUME COUNT

Following are the techniques for collecting data in volume studies:

1. Manual counting methods

2. Portable mechanical counters

3. Miscellaneous methods
 MANUAL COUNTING METHOD

 Manual counting is used for short duration

less than 8 to 10 hours.
 The data obtained from manual counting is
very accurate.
 Counting is done by a field team.

 Suitable site is selected for counting the

volume.

 Observers observe the vehicle passing the

selected point and note it in the notebook or
some type of tables.
 MANUAL COUNTING METHOD

 To facilitate the working men, accumulator

hand counters can be used.
 6″ to 8″ push button device having 4 to 6
registers.
 Each register correspond to a type of vehicle
 When a vehicle passes, its corresponding
register is pushed.
 The counter is then periodically read and the
values are recorded on a field sheet.
 Each register usually records up to 9999
vehicles.
 For intersection, four counters may be
attached to a board with each counter
representing an intersecting approach.

 Skilled workmanship is required to

operate this board as 10 to 20 registers
may be used simultaneously.
 ADVANTAGES
 Classified traffic volume as different vehicles are separately counted.
i.e. we can classify the traffic as cars, buses, trucks etc.

 Turning movements of the vehicles can be noted.

 The results are much more accurate.

DISADVANTAGES

 The workmen get tired by continuous working for several hours.

 Data for 24 hours a day or 365 days a year cannot be collected.
 MANUAL COUNTING PROCEDURE

 Two procedures are used either separately or in combination to handle the

recording of the manual volume count.
These two procedure are :

I. The short break procedure

II. Alternating count procedure

 The Short Break Procedure
 In this method, 1 to 3 minutes of break is taken at the end of each counting
period during which all observers record their data.
 The short break is taken within the counting period and is not added to it.
 For example, record data for 4 minutes out of 5 minutes of counting, 12
minutes out of 15 minutes etc.
 The values are than corrected for full counting period by multiplying the
recorded vehicles for lesser time count with the count adjustment factor. i.e.
Va = V * CF
Where
Va = adjusted vehicles for full counting period.
V = recorded vehicles for lesser time count
And
CF = count adjustment factor.
The count adjustment factor is given by
CF = CP .
(CP – CB)
Where
CP = Full counting period (min)
CB = Short break (min)
Consider an example as tabulated for the illustration of this procedure:

Counting 4 minutes count Count Adjusted 5

Period ( vehicle) Adjustment Minutes Count
Factor
05:00 – 05:05 42 5/4 53
05:05 – 05:10 51 5/4 64
05:10 – 05:15 55 5/4 69
05:15 – 05:20 50 5/4 63
05:20 – 05:25 42 5/4 53
05:25 – 05:30 46 5/4 58
 ALTERNATE COUNT PROCEDURE
 In this method the number of vehicles are counted for a full counting
period and then a break for a full counting period. i.e. A 5 minutes
counting followed by 5 minutes rest or 15 minutes counting followed by
a 15 minutes rest
The number of vehicles for the missing ( break ) counting period is
estimated from interpolation or average of available data for the
counting periods before and after this missing counting period
Consider the following example as tabulated for the illustration of this procedure:

Counting Period Alternating Count Interpolated

Count
02:00 – 02:15 75 75
02:15 – 02:30 -
02:30 – 02:45 85 85
02:45 – 03:00 -
03:00 – 03:15 87 87
03:15 – 03:30 -
03:30 – 03:45 91 91
Consider the following example as tabulated for the illustration of this procedure:

Counting Period Alternating Count Interpolated

Count
02:00 – 02:15 75 75
02:15 – 02:30 - 80
02:30 – 02:45 85 85
02:45 – 03:00 - 86
03:00 – 03:15 87 87
03:15 – 03:30 - 89
03:30 – 03:45 91 91
 PORTABLE MECHANICAL COUNTER

 Used for counting traffic volume for a

duration greater than 8 to 10 hours.
 It provide a relatively cheap and
efficient manner to obtain count over
extended periods ( day or even week).
 It consists of a pneumatic tube
containing air and attached to the counter
placed on road side.
 When a vehicle passes over the tube laid
on the road, the air in it is compressed
which sends a pressure impulse towards
the counter.
PORTABLE MECHANICAL COUNTER

Can be easily removed from one place to

another.
 It cannot provide the detail of vehicle type
and their movement distribution.
 It counts the number of axles crossing the
tube.
 The number of axles must be converted to
the corresponding number of vehicles by
conducting a sample manual count
(classifying vehicles by number of axles).
 For example, consider the data tabulated below

Classification Number of Vehicles Number of Axles

2 axles 80 160

3 axles 10 30

4 axles 5 20

5 axles 5 25

Total = 100 Total = 235

 PERMANENT COUNTERS
 Permanent counters are used in those regions or areas which require a
continuous record of traffic 24 hours a day, 365 days of year.
 Permanent counters are driven by one or several common types of
detectors permanently installed at the location.
 These detectors are connected to the counters through certain means
which are installed in the transport offices.
 Some important detectors are

1. Pressure plate detectors:

 Consist of two heavy metal plates placed inside the pavement structure
 Isolated from each other by means of rubber springs and buffers
 When a load (vehicles) comes over it, the two plates come in contact, thus
completing a weak circuit and an impulse is recorded.
 It gives a number of axles.

2. Magnetic loop detector:

A loop of wire is embedded in the pavement surface and is

connected to a weak power source, creating an electric field
When loop is disturbed by passage of vehicle, a pulse is
detected.

3. Ultrasonic detector:

A sonic meter is located at the road side or suspended over a

lane emits sonic waves which are reflected back after colliding
with the vehicles, the meter detects the reflected waves.

It records the number of vehicles.

 Video Tape Method

 In this method, a video camera is fixed at some suitable place and vehicles
are recorded and then the video tape is brought to the laboratory and vehicles
are counted.