TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
Running speed speed of a vehicle over
TRAFFIC FLOW
OBJECTIVES OF TRAFFIC STUDIES
TRAFFIC STUDIES are made to analyze the
characteristics of traffic. Some of the important objects of
conducting traffic studies are:
1. To obtain a knowledge of the type and
volume of traffic at present and estimated
future traffic volume.
2. To obtain a knowledge on the present road
facilities and the improvement needed in
future or for a by-pass road.
3. To design geometric features and pavement
thickness.
4. To obtain knowledge about nature and
volume of road accidents so that road
width, curves and traffic signals could be
redesigned.
5. To decide priority for expansion or
improvement of a particular road.
IMPORTANT TRAFFIC STUDIES TO BE
CARRIED OUT FOR FULFULLING THE ABOVE
OBJECTIVES:
1. Traffic volume study.
2. Speed study.
3. Origin and destination study.
4. Parking studies.
5. Accident study.
1. TRAFFIC VOLUME STUDY is measured in
terms of vehicles crossing a given cross section of
the road during unit time.
o The study of the traffic volume is used for
the ff. purposes:
1. Establish relative importance of any
road.
2. Planning, designing and regulation of
traffic.
3. Structural design of roads.
4. Planning and design of new streets.
5. Establish priorities and schedules for
traffic improvements.
6. Design of intersections and other
control devices.
2. SPEED STUDIES
o Ff. definitions may be noted:
1. Spot speed is the instantaneous speed
of a vehicle at any specified point.
2.
a distance while the vehicle is in motion.
3. Journey speed is the average speed of
the vehicle over a distance when delays
are taken into account.
o Two types of speed studies:
1. Spot speed study
2. Speed and delay study
1. Spot speed study depend on the
physical features of the road such as
width, curves, sight, distance, gradient
and intersections. Other factors w/c affect
spot speed are environmental conditions
such as weather, visibility, driver and
vehicle.
*Purposes:
i. planning traffic control and regulation.
ii. to use in geometric design.
iii. to study traffic capacity.
iv. to find out speed trends.
2. Speed and delay study are made to
determine the amount, duration and
causes of delay in the traffic stream as
well as to find the time spent to travel
along a particular route.
*Two types of delays:
i. fixed delays
ii. operational delays
3. ORIGIN AND DESTINATIONS
STUDIES these studies show the
amount of travel existing b/n various
locations. They also show the routes along
w/c the traffic prefers to travel reach the
certain destination.
*Purposes:
i. planning and designing highway routes and
terminals.
ii. improving existing route and terminal facilities
iii. determining one-way streets, signals and
parking.
iv. feature need for expansion of roads.
v. planning and designing interchanges.
*Methods of study:
i. interviewing drivers
ii. postcard surveys
iii. home interview
iv. observation of license numbers of cars.
v. tags or stickers on vehicles.
4. PARKING STUDIES
*OBJECTIVES OF PARKING STUDIES:
i. to obtain information regarding demand for
parking spaces.
ii. for improvement and regulation of existing
parking facilities
iii. for future development plans for providing
terminal facilities
5. ACCIDENT STUDIES
TRAFFIC ISLANDS are raised constructions w/in
the road way to form channels through w/c vehicular
traffic may be guided.
*Classification of traffic islands
1. Divisional islands
2. channelizing islands
3. pedestrian islands
4. Rotary islands
1. DIVISIONAL ISLANDS when a highway has
four or more lanes. Kerbs are constructed w/c divide it
into 2-way road ways.
2. CHANNELIZING ISLANDS these are used to
guide the traffic into channels at intersections. Their
functions are:
i. to change the direction of traffic as desired to
avoid accidents.
ii. to serve as convenient locations for other
traffic control devices.
iii. to serve as refuge islands for pedestrians
3. PEDESTRIAN LOADING ISLANDS these are
provided at bus stops for protection of passengers. These
are also provided at multi-lane highways after two or three
lanes and have special name refuge islands.
4. ROTARY ISLANDS is a traffic island located in
the center of intersection to control movement of traffic.
It also directs the traffic to weave around the island rather
than of directly crossing to pathway of vehicles.
* Advantages:
i. the traffic flows in an orderly manner.
ii. all traffic proceeds at a uniform state.
iii. weaving around the island replaces the usual
crossing movements.
*Disadvantages:
i. requires a larger area and may not be feasible in many
built-up areas.
ROAD INTERSECTIONS
*CLASSIFICATIONS:
1. At-grade intersections
2. Grade separated intersections
1. AT-GRADE INTERSECTIONS roads that cross each other
at the same elevation.
*Several kinds of at-grade intersections
i. square crossing
ii. skew crossing
iii. staggered junction
iv. T-junction
v. Y-junction
vi. Multi-lane intersection
*The ff. general factors should be considered in the
design of an intersections:
i. Accident spot should be eliminated.
ii. Free flow of traffic at the design speed should be
allowed.
iii. Adequate visibility should be ensured for vehicles.
iv. Adequate lightning at night should be provided.
v. Proper signs, guard rail, traffic islands should be
provided.
*Types of at-grade intersections:
i. Unchannelised intersections.
ii. Channelised intersections.
1. UNCHANNELISED INTERSECTIONS these are simple
in design but most complex in traffic operations and
dangerous too. They may be plain or flared.
2. CHANNELISED INTERSECTIONS
*Purposes
i. They separate two or more traffic lanes of flow.
ii. They direct the traffic into definite travel paths at
intersections.
iii. They reduce the number of possible conflicts.
iv. They reduce speed of traffic entering the section.
v. They regulate traffic movement.
vi. They serve as refuge islands for pedestrians.
2. GRADE SEPARATED INTERSECTIONS the intersecting
roadways are placed at different elevations to allow
uninterrupted through movement. It may be an
overcrossing or an undercrossing.
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
The various aids and devices used to control,
regulate and guide traffic are:
1. Traffic Islands
2. Traffic signs
3. Traffic signals
4. Road markings
Traffic signs
Are provided to worn direct and guide road users they are
in the form of symbols and inscriptions they are mounted
on fixed supports and are placed on the side of the roads.
THE VARIOUS TRAFFIC SIGNS ARE CLASSIFIED AS:
 i. Regulatory or mandatory signs
ii. Warning or cautionary signs *pedestrian signals control for pedestrian control, one
iii. Informatory and guising signs signal is erected on each side of crossing. The signal has
only two colors (green and red). The time is fixed so that
i. Regulatory or mandatory signs are used to the pedestrians can cross the road safety at normal
inform users certain rules and regulations w/c have to be walking speed.
observed for safe and
ii. Warning or cautionary signs these signs are 5. ROAD MARKINGS are the lines, patterns, words or
used to caution the drivers about certain hazardous other devices for control, warning & guidance or
conditions ahead. These warn the driver so that he can information of road users.
take the desired precaution
Ex. Narrow bridge
Steep hill Road markings are classified as:
Terry i. carriageway markings
Dead end cross road ii. object markings
Right and left turn
Cross roads i. carriageway markings
Zigzag right and left *white color paints are used for carriageway
Side road markings, and yellow for marking restrictions & continuous
iii. informatory or guiding signs are provided center line markings.
for route identification, direction to travelers and such Carriageway markings include:
other information a traveler requires in order to reach his i. center line
destination. ii. traffic lane lines
Ex. Route marker sign iii. no passing zone markings
Road junction approach iv. border or edge lines
End of speed limit v. carriageway width transition markings
Road name sign vi. obstruction approach markings
3. TRAFFIC SIGNALS are provided at road vii. stoop lines
intersections. These signals are provided to control, warn viii. pedestrian crossings
and guide the traffic. Traffic signals serve the ff. purposes: ix. cyclist crossings
i. improves safety & efficiency of movement of vehicular x. route direction, arrows, etc.
traffic and pedestrians. xi. markings at approaches to intersections
ii. maintains orderly flow of traffic xii. parking space limits
iii. reduces accidents in general xiii. bus stops
iv. provides nearly continuous movement of traffic ii. object markings
v. more economical than manual control *the ff. object markings are:
vi. stops heavy traffic to allow slow moving traffic to cross i. objects w/in the carriageway
the road safety. ii. kerb marking for visibility
iii. kerb marking for parking restrictions
Types of road signals iv. objects adjacent to the carriageway
1. manual signals
2. fixed time signals TRAFFIC FLOW, q
3. traffic actuated signals q = ks
4. flashing signals
where: q = flow of traffic, (veh/hr)
1. manual signals traffic control signals may be operated k = density of traffic,(veh/km)
manually or automatic. s = space mean speed, (kph)
2. fixed time signals - these signals are set to repeat a cycle 1. flow, q
of sequence and phase of the cycle at regular time Is the equivalent hourly rate at w/c vehicles pass
intervals. These signals are designed for peak time traffic a point on a highway during a time period less than 1 hour.

requirements. However, they cause delay during off peak = ,(veh/hr)

hours.
3. traffic actuated signals these signals are designed so Where: n = no of vehicles passing a point in a roadway.
that the phase & cycle can be changed according to traffic T = time (hour)
demand. A Policeman observes the flow of traffic &
operates these signals suitably.
4. flashing signals these signals are installed on main 2. Density, k
roads and cross roads.
 Is the number of vehicles travelling over a unit of Accident rates, R
length of highway at an instant time. i. Segment
(1000,000,000)
= , (veh/km)
=
Where: ()()(265)()
n = no. of vehicles passing a point in a roadway
L = length/distance ii. Intersection

3. Speed, (1000,000,000)
=
-distance travelled by a vehicle during a unit ()()(365)
time. Where: R = accident rates
A = no. of accidents

= , (km/hr) ADT = annual daily traffic
N = no. of years
L = length/distance (miles)
Where:
L = length/distance Severity Ratio, SR
T = time
.+ .
i. Time mean speed is the arithmetic mean of SR=
+ .+ .
the speeds of vehicle passing a point on a highway during
an interval time. Peak hour factor, PHF

PHF = q = (veh/hr)


t = , kph

where: Ex. 2.) The hourly volume of traffic is 2000

= all speed of the given vehicle vehicles per hour w/ a highest 5-minute volume of 300
n = no of vehicle
vehicles. Find the peak hour factor?
ii. Space mean speed is the harmonic mean of
speeds of vehicles passinf a point on a highway during an
interval of time.

s = , kph
t
where:
l = distance
n = no of vehicle
t = individual time of each vehicle

ex. 1. Vehicles travelling at a constant speeds on

a two lane highway b/n section X and Y with their positions 3.) Determine the average daily traffic entering
& speeds obtained in an instant time. An observer located the intersection if the accident rate is 5000 per million
at point X observes the four vehicles passing point X during entering vehicle. And if the total accident occurred during
a period of T sec. the velocities are measured as 45 km/h , the ten year period is 3000.
40 and 30 km/h perspectively. Calculate:
a. density
b. time mean speed
c. space mean speed
d. flow
Given: distance from X to Y = 90m