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
 To facilitate the working men, accumulator hand counters can be
used which is a 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
 This type of counting gives good result of
classified traffic volume as different vehicles
are separately counted. i.e. we can classify
the traffic as cars, buses, trucks etc.
 We can note the turning of the vehicles
 The results are much more accurate
 DISADVANTAGES

 The labours and the workmen get tired by

continuous working for several hours
 We can not collect the data for 24 hours a
day or 365 days a year
 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 = C P .
(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 Adjusted 5

Period count Adjustment Minutes
( vehicle) Factor Count
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 65
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 Alternating Interpolated

Period Count 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 Alternating Interpolated

Period Count 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

 This type of mechanical device can be

easily removed from one place to another.
 They are 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 cannot provide the detail of vehicle type
and their movement distribution
 It consists of a pneumatic tube containing air
and attached to the counter placed on road
side
 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)
 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
For example, consider the data tabulated below

Classification Number of Number of Axles

Vehicles
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
I. Pressure plate detectors
II. Magnetic loop detector
III. Sonic detector
 Pressure Plate Detector
 It consist of two heavy metal plates placed
inside the pavement structure
 These two plates are 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
 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
 It records the number of vehicles
 Sonic 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 also records the number of vehicles

 MISCELLENEOUS METHODS
Some other traffic volume counts are:
i. Electronic counter

ii. Electromechanical counter

iii. Video tape method

 Electronic Counter
 Itconsists of photo electric cell which notes
the beam of light falling on it as the vehicles
passes
Electro Mechanical Counter
 An arrangement is made that when vehicle
passes, the circuit is closed by it
 Thus, number of vehicles is recorded
automatically as many times as the circuit
closed
 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