How to do Traffic Volume Study-Methods of Volume Count and Counter Data Study

A traffic volume study report from the newspaper economic times has shown that the number of vehicles in Bengaluru increases by 6000% in the last 40 years.This media report shows that one of the most leading challenges facing by the engineers right now in the world is transportation.

In order to build a good future for our next generation. you should implement substantial changes to our transportation facilities while designing your projects.To predict the correct future traffic volume data, you need to count the present traffic volume data.

The study and essential action in traffic engineering improve the traffic performance, road networks, planning and geometric design of the roads.

How to calculate traffic volume data?

Before moving to traffic volume measurement, you need to know what is known as traffic volume or flow?Flow is calculated as the number of vehicles that pass across a given transverse section of a road during unit time.

There are two methods to find traffic volume data, one is by manual counting methods and other is automatic counting method.

1.Manual Count

Nowadays, manual count is used when you need to collect data which cannot be collected by mechanical or automatic traffic counter.

In manual count you can classify various vehicles, turning movement of vehicles at intersections and details in pedestrial volume count.

2.Automatic Count

The main advantage of an automatic count is you can use it throughout the day and night.They can be used to record vehicles with exact time with their lane occupancy and speed of the various vehicles.

Automatic counter gives the number of vehicles passes through a transverse line at the unit time directly on the screen.The disadvantage of this traffic counter is, it cannot classify vehicle types and turning movements.

You can widely use these types of counters for long roads and for places needs permanent installations.

The next term you must know in the calculation of traffic volume study is Equivalent passenger car unit (PCU).An equivalent passenger unit is a number which is assigned to vehicles based on the vehicle speed, space and characteristics in comparison to a car.

The PCU number of different vehicles is given below.

Hope You can understand the determination of traffic volume data.If you have any doubts, please comment below.If you like this post?Don’t forget to share it.