FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

SARAWAK
LABORATORY MANUAL
COURSE

HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE

ECG304

LEVEL OF OPENNESS

CATEGORY

PARTIALLY OPEN ENDED

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED
(%)

33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY

2 WEEKS

TITLE
PREAMBLE

LAB 2: SPACE MEAN SPEED

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways &
means are guided and given to the students. However the answers to the
assignment are left to the students to solve using the group creativity and
innovativeness. The activity is hope to slowly introduced and inculcate
independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a much harder
task of open-ended laboratory activities.
In this laboratory activity the students are required to measure space mean
speed (or journey speed) of a predetermined location on the road. The
method calls License plate matching technique is chosen for this laboratory
because of its convenient.
In general, license plate matching technique consist of collecting vehicle
license plate numbers and arrival times at various checkpoints, matching the
license plates between consecutive checkpoints, and computing travel times
from the difference in arrival times.
1.2 Objective
The objective of the test is:
To conduct the Space Mean Speed Study by using a method call
License Plate Matching Technique.
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Identify the correct apparatus to carry out the Space Mean Speed Study by
using a method call License Plate Matching Technique.
2. Analyse data correctly and present it in a typical format.
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.
1.4 Theoretical Background
The license-plate method requires the observers be positioned at the

FKA, UiTM, SARAWAK

MAY 2013

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
SARAWAK
LABORATORY MANUAL
beginning and end of the test section. Observers also can be positioned at
other locations if elapsed times to those locations are required. Each
observer records the license plate number of each car that passes the test
section together with the time at which the car passes. The data of matching
cars plate number and the times of arrival at the beginning and end of the
test section for each license plate recorded are accomplished in the office.
The difference between these times is the traveling time of each vehicle. The
average of these is the average traveling time on the test section.
Manual method of collecting license plates:
Collecting number of license plates using pen and paper or audio tape
recorder. Then manually entering (writing) number of license plates and
arrival times into a form.

Figure 1. Illustration of License Plate Matching Techniques

2 Problem Statement
Students are required to conduct the Space Mean Speed study at the
specific location (predetermine location) using a method of License Plate
Matching Technique.

PROBLEM
STATEMENT

Students are required to describe the site and the nature of the road
surface, the difficulty and obstacles during the laboratory and opinion on
the value of Space Mean Speed and Time Mean Speed from calculation.
WAYS & MEANS

3.1 Apparatus
a. Measurement tape/distance measurement wheel
b. Two watches (synchronized)
c. Clip board and field data form
3.2 Procedures
The following steps should be performed before license plate collection
begins:
a. Define the routes to be studied as in the given table,

FKA, UiTM, SARAWAK

MAY 2013

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
SARAWAK
LABORATORY MANUAL
b. Designate the checkpoints and specific locations where observers will
be positioned,
c. Measure the length of route between two predetermine checkpoints;
d. Determine number of license plates needed for minimum sample sizes,
e. Train personnel and practice reading one to two hours of license plates
in actual roadside conditions before commencement of the study,
f. Collect license plates number as many as you can,
g. Compare and match (at least 50 matches)the license plate numbers
obtain from two checkpoints.
3.3 Data Acquisition
TRAVEL TIME STUDY (SPACE MEAN SPEED)
PLATE MATCHING TECHNIQUE
Name of the road: _______________
Route length: ___________________
Direction of traffic: _______________
Weather: ______________________
Date: _________________________
Time of start: ___________________
Time of end: ____________________
Observer:_______________________

Plate
No.

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Time

Plate
No.

Time

Plate
No.

Time

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
SARAWAK
LABORATORY MANUAL

TABLE FOR MATCHED VEHICLESS PLATE NUMBER

NO.

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MATCHED
PLATE
NO.

TIME AT
POINT A
(UP TO
SECS.)

TIME AT
POINT B
(UP TO
SECS.)

TRAVEL TIME
BETWEEN
POINT A AND
POINT B, t
(SECS.)

SPEED, v
(KM/HR)

MAY 2013

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
SARAWAK
LABORATORY MANUAL

TOTAL

Calculate Time mean speed and Space mean speed by using formula
given below.

Time Mean Speed =average speed =

Space Mean Speed=

v
n

distance traveled
d
=
average travel time t
n

Whereby;
v = speed of the vehicle (km/hr)
d = distance traveled or length of roadway segment (km)
t = travel time of the vehicle (hr)
n = number of observations
Calculate the different of value between Space Mean Speed and Time
Mean Speed.
4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion
RESULTS

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 output to achieve the objective. The format of the
report is left to the creativity discretion of the group.
The report must be submitted 14 days after the date of the test.

FKA, UiTM, SARAWAK

MAY 2013