AHSANULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY
Department of Civil Engineering
Course No: CE 452

REPORT ON TRAFFIC SPEED STUDY

Mithun Debnath
Lecturer, Aust
&
MD. Abir Hasan
Lecturer, Aust

Submitted By
Group 1
MD. Golam Sarwar 15.01.03.119
Enamul Hasan 15.01.03.123
Mahmudul Islam 15.01.03.124
Md. Robiul Haque 15.01.03.127
Md. Rubel Ahmed 15.01.03.128
Husna Ahmed Shithi 15.01.03.129

Submission Date: 13th March, 2019

1
 ABSTRACT

Traffic engineering uses engineering methods and techniques to achieve the safe and time

efficient movement of people and goods on roadways. The safe and time efficient movement of

the people and goods is dependent on Traffic flow, which is directly connected to the traffic

characteristics. The three main parameters of a traffic flow are volume, speed and density. In the

absence of effective planning and traffic management of the city, the current road infrastructure

cannot cater the future needs of the city. Pedestrian and vehicle volumes have increased

significantly in the last decade due to the change of the economics of the middle-class families.

Along with which the concern about speed have been rising for a long time. The current work

studies traffic speed characteristics in the city of Dhaka at one selected priority junction. In this

work emphasis was given on traffic speed data collection and the analysis was carried out

through primary traffic flow surveys at Shatrasta bus stop to Tibet bus stop in Dhaka city.

Traffic flow is studied by manual methods. For better understanding of the present status of

traffic flow at the junction, traffic survey is conducted. With the help of the data collection, an

attempt had been made to understand the traffic patterns during different time periods. Traffic

control at that junction is also dependent on the traffic flow characteristics. Hence the results

from the present study are helpful in controlling the traffic at the intersection and also in

suggesting some of the remedial measures to improve the traffic safety in the region.

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 Contents
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 OUTLINE OF REPORT .......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Why do we need a speed study ................................................................................................................................. 5
1.4 Scope of Traffic Speed Studies ................................................................................................................................ 6
LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Traffic Speed Study .................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Definition of Speed................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Traffic Delay .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
2.4 Chi-Square Test ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
2.5 Level of Service...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Methodology .................................................................................................................................................................... 12
DATA COLLECTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
4.1 Spot Speed Data Collection. ................................................................................................................................... 14
4.2 Travel Speed Data Collection ................................................................................................................................. 15
DATA ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................................................... 16
5.1 Statistical Calculation of Spot Speed ...................................................................................................................... 16
5.2 Statistical Calculation of Travel Speed................................................................................................................... 20
5.3 Delay Study ............................................................................................................................................................ 21
Discussion and Recommendation..................................................................................................................................... 23
Discussion on spot speed .............................................................................................................................................. 23
Discussion on travel speed ........................................................................................................................................... 23
Recommendation .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Limitations ................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Recommendations for future works ............................................................................................................................. 24
References .................................................................................................................................................................... 25

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 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

People always try to cope up with time. But this is not as easy as it can be said in few words. To
cope up with time people need speed and for a good speed people need a transportation system by
which s/he can travel to their desired destination in the shortest possible time. But balancing is the
intuitive tendency of nature. When a transportation system offers a good speed then a person try to
use that system as much as possible and then congestion takes birth. This is the ultimate enemy of
speed. If a road system is occupied by a large numbers of vehicles then it is not possible for the
travelers to maintain their desired speed which is the consequence of the congestion created by the
abnormal number of vehicles occupying the road. Here comes the importance of a transportation
engineer. What a transportation engineer does is s/he collects data of a roadway system (Speed
data occupies the most important part of them. It mostly indicates the overall efficiency of the
traffic system), analyze them and then finally provide the most suitable solution of the problem.

1.1 OBJECTIVES

There are several specific objectives of traffic speed studies in this project and is listed below:

To measure the spot speed and travel speed of vehicles and note other related traffic
characteristics.
To present detailed diagram of spot speed and travel speed calculations.
To calculate spot speeds and prepare tables for statistical analysis of spot speeds.
To plot histograms, frequency curves and cumulative frequency curves of spot speeds.
To determine weighted average speed, pace, modal speed, speed limit (85th percentile speed),
design speed, etc. of spot speeds.
To find Time-Mean-Speed (TMS) and Space-Mean-Speed (SMS) using the travel speed and
compare SMS and TMS.
To determine various parameters by using these speeds and also to prove some
relationships.
To draw Speed (Space-Mean)-flow curve based on observed data.
Superimpose typical speed-flow relationship diagram.
To find LOS of the studied road and to draw detailed diagram.

1.2 OUTLINE OF REPORT

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The report has been documented in the following manner. The first chapter gives the primary
understanding of the problem statement and objectives of the study. The second chapter has been
devoted to review of earlier studies to set the guidelines for the present work. The criteria for site
selection, method of data collection and theory on traffic speed while the methods we adopted in
our data collection system have been discussed in chapter three. Analysis and discussion of
results are given in fourth chapter. The specific conclusions drawn from this study and
recommendations for further work are given in the fifth chapter.

1.3 Why do we need a speed study

Speed is an important transportation consideration because it relates to safety, time, comfort,

convenience, and economics. Spot speed studies are used to determine the speed distribution of a
traffic stream at a specific location. The data gathered in spot speed studies are used to determine
vehicle speed percentiles, which are useful in making many speed-related decisions. Spot speed
data have a number of safety applications, including the following:

i. Determining existing traffic operations and evaluation of traffic control devices

a. Evaluating and determining proper speed limits
b. Determining the 50th and 85th speed percentiles
c. Evaluating and determining proper advisory speeds
d. Establishing the limits of no passing zones
e. Determining the proper placements of traffic control signs and markings
f. Setting appropriate traffic signal timing
ii. Establishing roadway design elements
a. Evaluating and determining proper intersection sight distance
b. Evaluating and determining proper passing sight distance (for more information refer to
Chapter 3 in the AASHTO Green Book)
c. Evaluating and determining proper stopping sight distance
iii. Assessing roadway safety questions
a. Evaluating and verifying speeding problems
b. Assessing speed as a contributor to vehicle crashes
c. Investigating input from the public or other officials
iv. Monitoring traffic speed trends by systematic ongoing speed studies
v. Measuring effectiveness of traffic control devices or traffic programs, including signs and
markings, traffic operational changes, and speed enforcement programs

Other important reasons behind conducting traffic speed study:

 To determine traffic speed through high density neighborhoods in order to show any need for
speed limit signage, traffic calming measures, or additional law enforcement.
 To determine proper speed limits, establish the limits of no-passing zones, determine the
proper placements of traffic control signs and markings, and to set appropriate traffic signal
timing.
 To verify and evaluate speeding problems, assess speed as a contributor to vehicle
crashes, or measure the effectiveness of traffic control devices.
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1.4 Scope of Traffic Speed Studies

To complete the current experiment of transportation engineering lab-III we have conducted spot
speed and travel speed analysis. We have conducted the delay analysis as well. Below is the scopes
of spot speed and travel speed studies.

Spot speed studies are conducted to estimate the distribution of speeds of vehicles in a stream of
traffic at a particular location on a highway and are used for:

 Establishing the effectiveness of new or existing speed limits and/or enforcement practices

 Establishing trends to assess the effectiveness of national policy on speed limits and
enforcement

 Specific design applications (like sight distance, breaking distance, passing distance etc.)

 Specific control applications (yellow/all red timing – the size of dilemma zone depends on
speed)

 Investigation of high-accident locations at which speed is suspected to be a causative factor

Travel speed study determines the amount of time required to travel from one point to another on a
given route. Often, information may also be collected on the locations, durations, and causes of
delays. Travel speed is used for:

 Efficiency check
 Collection of rating data
 Model calibration
 Collect data for economic analysis (user costs)
 Evaluation of performance before and after improvement

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 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

The purpose of performing spot speed study is because of the traffic speed limit and delay analysis to
measure the efficiency of the Shatrasta bus stop to Tibet bus stop. Our group convey this study in
this roadway to take up the speed survey and carry out an analysis that is feasible, economic, and
easily adoptable. Our study is divided into two parts, one is determining spot speed of vehicles and
the other is to conduct travel speed survey over roadway, study on all classified vehicles.

2.1 Traffic Speed Study

Traffic speed data are needed for planning, designing, establishing priorities and schedules of traffic
improvements. The traffic engineer must acquire general knowledge of traffic speeds in order to
design speed, safe speed and limit of speed. Spot speed data are used in many traffic engineering
activities such as design, safe and limit speed for roadway, determining traffic signal timing,
roadway capacity, evaluating the effectiveness of improvements, and installing speed zones.

2.2 Definition of Speed

Speed is defined as the travel distance covered by unit time. Speed is expresses as mile per hour or
KM per hour.

Velocity= Distance / Time

In our study to determine spot speed, 44 ft distance is selected and to cover this distance the time is
counted.

Different types of Speed are-

 Spot Speed.
 Space- Mean Speed.
 Time-Mean Speed.
 Free Flow Speed.
 Travel Speed.

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2.2 a. Spot Speed

Spot speed is the instantaneous speed of a vehicle as it passes a specified point along a road. Spot
Speed can be done by following methods-

Stop Watch Methods. Radar Meter Methods. Pneumatic Methods.

2.2 a. i. Stopwatch Methods

The stopwatch method can be used to determine spot speed study using a small sample size taken
over a relatively short period of time. The stopwatch method is a quick and inexpensive method
for collecting speed data.

2.2 a. ii. Radar Meter Methods

A radar meter is a commonly used device for directly measuring speeds in spot speed studies. This
device may be hand-held, mounted in a vehicle, or mounted on a tripod. The effective measuring
distance for radar meters ranges from 200 feet up to 2 miles. A radar meter requires line-of-sight to
accurately measure speed and is easily operated by one person.

2.2 a. iii. Pneumatic Methods

The pneumatic road tube method is normally used for longer data collection time periods than
those of either the stopwatch or radar meter method. Using this method, pneumatic tubes are placed
in the travel lanes and are connected to recorders located at the side of the road.

2.2 b. Space Mean Speed

Space-Mean-Speed is the average of vehicle speeds weighted according to how long they remain
on the section of road. Mathematically it is harmonic mean of the observed speeds. It is given by-

8
Where,
ti = observed time for the i th vehicle to travel distance d
N or n = number of vehicles observed d= length of roadway section.
Space Mean Speed is measured by following methods- License Plate Method
Floating Car Method.
Elevated Observer Method.

2.2 c. Time-Mean-Speed (TMS)

The time mean speed Ut, is the arithmetic mean of spot speeds of all vehicles passing a point
during a specified interval of time. It is given by-

where,

Ui or ui = observed speed of i-th vehicle

N or n = number of vehicles observed.

2.2 d. Free flow speed:

The desired speed of drivers in low volume conditions and in the absence of traffic control devices.
In other words, the mean speed of passenger cars that can be maintained in low to moderate flow
rates on a uniform freeway segment prevailing roadway and traffic conditions.

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2.2 e. Travel speed

Travel speed is the effective speed of the vehicle on a journey between two points and is the
distance between the two points divided by the total time taken for the vehicle to complete the travel
including any stopped time. If the journey speed is less than running speed, it indicates that the
journey follows a stop-go condition with enforced acceleration and deceleration. The spot speed
here may vary from zero to some maximum in excess of the running speed. Uniformity between
travel and running speeds denotes comfortable travel conditions.

2.3 Traffic Delay

Traffic Delay is the elapse time between the time required to cover travel distance with free flow
and the time required to cover travel distance with travel speed. In our delay study average spot
speed is taken as free flow speed. Delay is found for each vehicle in terms of second. Then Delay
for one day or one year or more time is find out and finally in terms of monetary value delay can be
analyzed.

2.4 Chi-Square Test

A chi-squared test, also written as χ2 test, is any statistical hypothesis test wherein the sampling
distribution of the test statistic is a chi-squared distribution when the null hypothesis is true.
Without other qualification, 'chi-squared test' often is used as short for Pearson's chi-squared test.
Chi-squared tests are often constructed from a sum of squared errors, or through the sample
variance. Test statistics that follow a chi-squared distribution arise from an assumption of
independent normally distributed data, which is valid in many cases due to the central limit
theorem. A chi-squared test can be used to attempt rejection of the null hypothesis that the data are
independent.

2.5 Level of Service

Traffic delay is directly related to the driver's level of discomfort, frustration, fuel consumption, and
loss of travel time. The following paragraphs describe the various LOS categories-

Level of Service A - Operations with low delay, or delays of less than 5.0 seconds per vehicle.
This LOS is reached when most of the oncoming vehicles enter the signal during the green phase,
and the driving conditions are ideal in all other respects as well.
10
Level of Service B - Operations with delays between 5.1 and 15.0 seconds per vehicle. This LOS
implies good progression, with some vehicles arriving during the red phase.

Level of Service C - Operations with delays between 15.1 and 25.0 seconds per vehicle. This LOS
witnesses longer cycle lengths and fair progression.

Level of Service D - Operations with delays between 25.1 and 40.0 seconds per vehicle. At this
LOS, congestion is noticeable and longer delays may result from a combination of unfavorable
progression, long cycle lengths, and high V/c ratios.

Level of Service E - Operations with delay between 40.1 and 60.0 seconds per vehicle. This LOS is
considered unacceptable by most drivers. This occurs under over-saturated intersection conditions
(V/c ratios over 1.0), and can also be attributed to long cycle lengths and poor progression.

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 Chapter 3

Methodology

The acquisition of the data, its evaluation and analysis will be discussed below. These are
discussed in order to show the relevant steps in the analysis of the data.

Acquiring the speed data

A background of the equipment used to collect the speed data is presented below to
familiarize the reader with these aspects of the provincial transportation agency.

Location: Location of the spot for traffic speed survey is chosen to be from Shatrasta bus stop
to Tibet bus stop.
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Date: Data for speed study was collected on 4 march 2019. It was Monday.
Time: Time of data collection for volume study was different for different groups however
for group-1 the time was from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Observation: Classified Vehicle Counts.
Duration: 30 minutes for spot speed study and 30 minutes for travel speed study.

Equipments used to collect speed data

The data analyzed for this report was collected from practical observation on the road from
Shatrasta to Tibet. The data collectors used stopwatches to record the time in case of recording
spot speed data. In the other hand travel speed data was collected by number plate method. One
of the enumerators stood on one end whereas another one stood on the other end. Then they
recorded the number plates of the vehicles passing through that end. 2 video cameras were
also used for recording the number plates in case of cross checking. After collecting data
those data were recorded on a excel spreadsheet and various graphs were plotted using
Microsoft-Excel spreadsheet.
Number of Enumerators: Six.

Methodology of reconnaissance survey

Before going for the actual work we have conducted a reconnaissance survey on the previous
day of actual work. Due to lack of instruments we could not adopt any of the methods
described in chapter 2. We just visited the spot of study and divided the whole road length
into five equal sections. And then we have selected the reference points where we collected
speed data. And on the day of operation we went directly to the spot and collected speed
data. But if we could conduct the actual reconnaissance work then we would have good
understanding of the whole formation of the study zone.

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 CHAPTER 4

DATA COLLECTION

4.1 Spot Speed Data Collection.

To check the distribution pattern by fitting normal distribution curve, CAR is selected. Here the
all CAR spot speed data is given below:

Table 4.1 Spot Speed Data of CAR

Speed Speed Speed

Veh. No Veh. No Veh. No
(mph) (mph) (mph)

1 20.69 11 22.22 21 21.13

2 20.69 12 17.14 22 22.56

3 24.19 13 22.22 23 21.98

4 17.91 14 17.14 24 18.35

5 20.44 15 22.22 25 25.10

6 17.65 16 20.13 26 21.43

7 15.79 17 23.72 27 15.96

8 21.13 18 27.40 28 18.75

9 18.75 19 22.90 29 24.59

10 26.79 20 22.64 30 22.47

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4.2 Travel Speed Data Collection

Travel speed is the effective speed of the vehicle on a journey between two points and is the
distance between the two points divided by the total time taken for the vehicle to complete the
travel including any stopped time. Travel speed data is shown here below for CAR:

Table 4.2 Travel Speed Data of CAR

Speed
Distance Time
Veh. No. (mph)
(m) (sec)
vi

1 1000 183 12.24

2 1000 150 14.92
3 1000 160 13.94
4 1000 126 17.70
5 1000 142 15.74
6 1000 158 14.17
7 1000 150 14.92
8 1000 164 13.61
9 1000 150 14.92
10 1000 163 13.72

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 CHAPTER 5

DATA ANALYSIS

5.1 Statistical Calculation of Spot Speed

Table 5.1: Statistical calculation table of spot speed data of CAR

Cumulative
Class Mid Value Frequency % Frequency
frequency
10--13 11.5 0 0.00 0.00
13-16 14.5 0 0.00 0.00
16-19 17.5 2 6.67 6.67
19-22 20.5 7 23.33 30.00
22-25 23.5 8 26.67 56.67
25-28 26.5 10 33.33 90.00
28-31 29.5 3 10.00 100.00
31-34 32.5 0 0.00 100.00
Total Frequency 30

Weighted Average Speed = (20.5*7+23.5*8+26.5*10+29.5*3)/30

=22.83 mph

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 40.00

35.00

30.00

25.00

Pace= 19 - 28.8 mph

% Frequency

20.00
Modal Speed = 26 mph
15.00

10.00

5.00

0.00
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

-5.00
Spot Speed, mph

Fig 5.1: Frequency vs Spot speed curve

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 Cumulative Frequency Curve
110.00
105.00
100.00 Design Speed
95.00
90.00
85.00 85th Percentile
80.00 Speed
75.00
70.00
Cumulative Frequency

65.00
60.00
55.00
50.00 50th Percentile
45.00 Speed
40.00
35.00
30.00
25.00
20.00 15th Percentile
22.9 26 28.3
15.00 Speed 18.5 Mph mph
10.00 mph
5.00
Mph
0.00
-5.00 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
-10.00
Spot Speed, mph

Fig 5.2: Cumulative frequency vs Spot speed curve

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 Speed Histogram
12

10
10

8
8
7
Frequency

4
3

2
2

0 0 0
0
10--13 13-16 16-19 19-22 22-25 25-28 28-31 31-34
Speed Range (mph)

Fig 5.3: Speed Histogram

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5.2 Statistical Calculation of Travel Speed

Table 5.2: Private car travel speed statistical calculation table:

TMS or SMS or
Speed
Arithmatic Harmonic
Veh. No. (mph) (Vi-Vt)2
Mean (Vt) Mean (Vs)
Vi
(mph) (mph)

1 12.24 5.51
2 14.92 0.11
3 13.94 0.42
4 17.70 9.72
5 15.74 1.34
14.59 14.46
6 14.17 0.17
7 14.92 0.11
8 13.61 0.96
9 14.92 0.11
10 13.72 0.76
Total 19.20

Here, Space Mean Speed is lower than Time Mean Speed.

Now, Standard Deviation (Sd) = √(19.20 − 9)

=3.193
2
Variance, Sd = 10.2

Now, Vs+ Sd2 / Vs = 15.165 ≈ 14.59

So, Wardrop relation is satisfied with a % error of = ((15.165-14.59)/14.59)*100= 3.94%

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 5.3 Delay Study

Table 5.3: Delay Study for Shatrasta To Tibet

DELAY STUDY FROM Shatrasta To Tibet

Vehicle Passeng
Avg. Avg. Vehicle Vehicle
Total delay Vehicle Delay of er time Total
Spot Travel Delay No. of operatin operatin
Vehicle Delay cost Occupan Passeng value Cost/2hr
Speed Speed (sec) Vehicle g Cost g Travel
(hour) (Tk/veh. cy er (hr) (TK per Tk
(mile/hr) (mile/hr) TK Cost TK
hr) pass. Hr)

CAR 22.83 14.46 266.67 2743 203.187 100 20318 2.1 426.693 20 8533 17066

Table 5.4: Summery of Cost

Total cost in 1
Total cost in 2 Total cost in 1
Route year million TK.
Hour TK. day TK.

Shatrasta
to Tibet 17066 204792 74.749

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Table 5.9 Time mean speed, space mean speed and flow for all group.

Group 1 2 3 4

Time mean 14.59 14.95 15.23 14.49

speed mph
Space mean 14.46 14.80 15.16 14.41
speed mph

Flow 2743 2371 4208 3018

PCU/hour

15.2

15.1

15
Space Mean Speed, mph

14.9

14.8

14.7

14.6

14.5

14.4

14.3
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
Flow(pcu/hr)

Figure 5.4 Space mean speed vs Flow Curve.

22
 Chapter 6

Discussion and Recommendation

Discussion on spot speed

There were a large variety of speeds in the roadway we studied. It was understood when we
took data from the field. At first we assumed that the representative vehicles will fulfill our
desire of study but afterwards we felt the shortcomings of our assumptions. The percentage
frequency curve and the cumulative percentage frequency curve was smooth enough. And from
the charts we could calculate the modal speed, pace and different percentile speeds flexibly.

Discussion on travel speed

We collected data of a large number of vehicles from either side but we were successful to
collect only a few number of buses and private cars speed data.

Recommendation

The buses we observed on the road were too much old that they could not maneuver easily
although the maneuverability of buses is originally low. So replacing these old buses with
new ones is highly recommended.

Bicycle should have specific lanes of their own which typically is placed beside the
footpath/shoulder. But there was not any specific lane in the road we studied. So it is
recommended that a lane system should be introduced to increase efficiency of the road at the
same time there should be a bicycle specific lane.

NMT or electrical low speed vehicles should not be permitted in this type of arterial road.
Although they typically travel on the left lane but they create a drag force which slows down the
high speed vehicles which creates congestion.

There were some large container trucks observed on the road. Congestion can be slightly
avoided if these vehicles were allowed only at off peak hours.

23
Limitations
The major limitation of this volume study was the survey was conducted for 15 minutes only,
whereas for proper results the survey should be conducted for at least 3 hours.
We collected data for representative portion of traffic stream. However if it was possible to
collect data for each and every type of vehicle then a better scenario could have been
presented.

Recommendations for future works

The present study is focused mainly on traffic speed only. Various other experiments could be
conducted depending on the data we had in out possession. However due to lack of time we
conduct those extensive experiments and it is suggested that those studies should be conducted
in future to have a good understanding of the traffic condition of the roadway we studied in
this time.

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References

Robertson, H. D. 1994. Spot Speed Studies. In Manual of Transportation Engineering

Studies, ed. H. D. Robertson, J. E. Hummer, D. C. Nelson. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall,
Inc., pp. 33–51.

Currin, T. R. 2001. Spot Speed Study. In Introduction to Traffic Engineering: A Manual for
Data Collection and Analysis, ed. B. Stenquist. Stamford, Conn.: Wadsworth Group, pp. 4–12.

Homburger, W. S., J. W. Hall, R. C. Loutzenheiser, and W. R. Reilly. 1996. Spot Speed

Studies. In Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering. Berkeley: Institute of
Transportation Studies, University of California, Berkeley, pp. 6.1–6.9.

Parma, K. 2001. Survey of Speed Zoning Practices: An Informational Report. Washington, D.C.:
Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Persaud, Bhagwant, Parker, Martin Jr., and Gerald Wilde. 1997. Safety, speed and speed
management. Transportation Canada Repor. Ottawa Canada.
Pline, James L. editor. 1999. Traffic Engineering Handbook. Institute of Transportation

Engineers (ITE), 5th Edition.

Mannering, Fred L. Walter P. Kilarski. 1998. Principles of Highway Engineering and Traffic

Analysis. Wiley, New York. 2nd Edition:340.

National Research Council. 1998. Highway Capacity Manual; Special Report 209. 3rd

Edition Washington, D.C.

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