Traffic Volume Analysis: A Case Study on Politeknik Seberang Perai

Intersection at Jalan Permatang Pauh, Penang

Muhammad Emir Harith Bin Rasid1, Mohd Azuan Tukiar2

Corresponding Author: emirharith23@gmail.com

1,2
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang

ABSTRACT: Traffic congestion have become a major problem along Jalan Permatang Pauh during morning
and evening peak hour. Therefore, the analysis of traffic congestion need to be implemented to reduce the
problem at Politeknik Seberang Perai intersection. Thus, traffic volume study carried out at a signalized 4-leg
intersection by using the SIDRA Intersection 6 Software. There are three parameters to analysed in this thesis:
traffic volume, phase time, level of service for each of the approaches for this intersection. All factors analysed
under three parameters to determine the level of service (LOS) of the intersection were contributing equally and
correlates with each other and there was not one that exceeds the other factor. The existing result for level of
service (LOS) is mostly LOS F. After proposed new phase time, the LOS at Politeknik Seberang Perai
intersection becomes LOS C.
Keyword: traffic volume, traffic congestion, LOS, phase time

1. INTRODUCTION

Traffic congestion is a major problem in Jalan Permatang Pauh. The condition become worst in a peak hour
where increasing number of vehicle contribute to the traffic congestion in that area. Jalan Permatang Pauh is
3111 Federal Road and industrial federal road in Pulau Pinang. Besides that, Jalan Permatang Pauh is a main
road to North – South Expressway (PLUS) connected by Permatang Pauh Interchange and its also a main road
to Butterworth – Kulim Expressway (BKE). Mostly Jalan Permatang Pauh was constructed by using Standard
Jalan JKR R5 that give the road user maximum speed up to 90 km/h, with 3-meter minimum lane width by [3].
Furthermore, there are many junctions at Jalan Permatang Pauh that connect to the main region such as Kulim,
Seberang Jaya and Bukit Mertajam. One of the main junction in Jalan Permatang Pauh is shown in Figure 1.
One of the junction is located near to the Politeknik Seberang Perai. The junction has four main road as shown
in Figure 1. Bad traffic congestion alway happens in this junction. Therefore, the main reason this research
paper is made is to propose a new phase timing for the Politeknik Seberang Perai intersection based on current
traffic condition data.

North
Major road: Jalan Permatang Pauh

East West
Jalan Pauh Jaya Jalan Politeknik
Seberang Perai

South
Major road: Jalan Permatang Pauh
Figure 1: Signalized 4-leg Intersection near Politeknik Seberang Perai, Penang.
2. METHODOLOGY

For this paper, the data were collected at a junction near Seberang Perai Polytechnic. The time set for collecting
traffic data is Monday and Friday at 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm respectively. The data set time collection is
based on the study paper [5, 6]. Traffic data is recorded through manual vehicle count using multi gang tally
counter. Traffic data was taken for the four intersections and recorded every 15 minutes. The results of the
traffic data collected were then analysed by using the SIDRA Intersection 6 software to obtain Level of Service
at the intersection near Politeknik Seberang Perai. SIDRA Intersection 6 software is used to obtain new Phase
Timing in order to improve the Level of Service for intersections near Politeknik Seberang Perai.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Traffic Volume and Flow Pattern Analysis

Figure 2 shown amount of traffic that had been recorded for junction near Politeknik Seberang Perai in Monday
at 7am to 9am. Based on Figure 2, almost vehicle using that road is car with 428 cars on 7am to 9am.
Meanwhile, motorcycle recorded with second highest with 488 motor and lorry (all-type axle) third highest with
6 lorries recorded. Based on the frequency vehicle pattern, all type of vehicle mostly has highest reading on
7.30am to 7.45am and the frequency vehicle pattern is decreasing at 9am.

Figure 3 shown amount of traffic recorded at Politeknik Seberang Perai Junction on Friday at 5pm to 7pm.
Based on figure 3, highest vehicle motor that using the junction is also a car with 445 cars recorded. Meanwhile,
motorcycle recorded as the second highest with 101 motorcycle and lorry (all-type axle) third highest with 10
lorries recorded. Based on the frequency vehicle pattern, all types of vehicle shown an increasing value at 5pm
to 5.15pm and the frequency vehicle pattern is decreasing at 7pm.

Graph No. of Vehicle in PCU/hr versus time(minutes)

450 411
No of Vehicle in PCU/hr

382
400
350 428 334
300 270
320 335 CAR
250 302
200 MOTORCYCLE
150 LORRY
88.66 87.12 80 80.74 75.68
100 70.84 85.14 70.62
50 4.76 5.95 3.57 3.57 3.57 5.95
2.38 3.57
0
7.00-7.15 7.15-7.30 7.30-7.45 7.45-8.00 8.00-8.15 8.15-8.30 8.30-8.45 8.45-9.00
Time (minutes)

Figure 2: Traffic Volume at Politeknik Seberang Perai Intersection during Monday (7.00 am-9.00 am)

Graph No. of Vehicle in PCU/hr versus time(minutes)

No of Vehicle in PCU/hr

500
431
400
400 445 420 353
394 CAR
304
300 315 MOTORCYCLE
LORRY
200
96.14 100.98 87.12
100 89.76 87.34 84.04 76.78 69.96
7.14 7.14 8.33 9.52 4.76 2.38 2.38 1.19
0
5.00-5.15 5.15-5.30 5.30-5.45 5.45-6.00 6.00-6.15 6.15-6.30 6.30-6.45 6.45-7.00
Time (minutes)

Figure 3: Traffic Volume at Politeknik Seberang Perai Intersection during Friday (5.00 pm-7.00 pm)
Based on Figure 2 and Figure 3, it can be concluded that car is the biggest contributors to traffic congestion at
Politeknik Seberang Perai junction. This become a part toward a main contributor toward the traffic congestion
in Jalan Permatang Pauh. The result is supported by previous research [1, 4, 8], where it stated that so many cars
using the road in one time will contribute to the traffic congestion. Besides that, one of the factor that has been
identified contribute to the use of many private vehicle because of the lack of efficient transport system in Jalan
Permatang Pauh. Because of that, Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai must increase the number of public
transportation so local people can use the public transportation to reduce the number of vehicle on the road.
Therefore, the solution can reduce the traffic congestion in Jalan Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang.

Intersection Level of Service (LOS) Analysis

Based on the traffic data that has been obtained, the data has been incorporated into the SIDRA software to
obtain LOS for the intersection near Politeknik Seberang Perai. Table 1 shows the existing data that has been
recorded for the intersection near Politeknik Seberang Perai. The data obtained to determine LOS at intersection
near Politeknik Seberang Perai. The existing data has shown that the average LOS at the intersection is LOS F
on Monday at 7 am - 9 am. Similarly, at 5pm - 7pm Friday, the average LOS is LOS F. From the data, it shows
that there is severe traffic jams occurred at intersection near Politeknik Seberang Perai.

Table 1: The existing Level of Service (LOS) summary at Politeknik Seberang Prai Intersection
Level of Service (LOS)
Monday Monday Friday Friday
Intersection at Politeknik Seberang Prai Lane width (m)
(7am- (8am- (5pm- (6pm-
8am) 9am) 6pm) 7pm)
South: Jalan Permatang Pauh (Major Road)
Lane 1 3.3 LOS A LOS A LOS A LOS A
Lane 2 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Lane 3 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Lane 4 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Average LOS F LOS E LOS F LOS F
East: Politeknik Seberang Prai
Lane 1 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Average LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
North: Jalan Permatang Pauh (Major Road)
Lane 1 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Lane 2 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Lane 3 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Average LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
West: Jalan Pauh Jaya (Minor Road)
Lane 1 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Lane 2 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Average LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F
Average Intersection LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F

Proposed new traffic flow

From the data in Table 1, it shows that there is severe traffic jams occurred at intersection near Politeknik
Seberang Perai. One of the factor observed, the traffic signal at the junction near Politeknik Seberang Perai has
too long traffic delay, therefore, the vehicle from other direction must wait longer. When it is has higher traffic
stop, it will cause traffic congestion and give an impact on the road near the junction. Thus, it is suggested that
longer signal timing is unsuitable for rapid development population area. Figure 4 shows the phase at Politeknik
Seberang Perai.

Table 2 shows that the existing phase time data and proposed new phase time at the intersection of Politeknik
Seberang Perai. Existing phase time for traffic signal on Monday (7am to 9am) for phase A and C was 160
seconds, while the existing phase time in phase B and D is 60 seconds. The new phase time for Monday
(7 am until 9 am) at the intersection is proposed to 40 seconds for phase A and phase C and for phase B and
phase D proposed to 15 seconds.

Table 3 shows that the existing phase time data and proposed new phase time at the intersection of Politeknik
Seberang Perai. Existing phase time for traffic signal on Friday (5 pm to 7 pm) is 180 seconds for phase A and C
while the existing phase time in phase B and D is 60 seconds. The new phase time for Friday (5 pm until 7 pm)
at the intersection is proposed to 40 seconds for phase A and phase C and for phase B and phase D proposed to
20 seconds.
Table 4 shows Level of Service (LOS) before and after proposed new phase timing at Politeknik Seberang Prai
Intersection. From Table 4, it shows that all the proposed phase time has enhance the LOS at the Politeknik
Seberang Prai Intersection. Since the traffic stop has reduced, the traffic will move faster and it will not interfere
with the other roads or intersections near the junction at Politeknik. The proposed phase time is supported by
previous research [2], where it stated that the phase time could not be longer time to wait to avoid from traffic
congestion for the other phase.

Figure 4: Phase on Politeknik Seberang Prai intersection

Table 2: Phasing timing summary results at Politeknik Seberang Prai intersection on Monday
(7.00 am – 9.00 am) before and after proposed the new phase timing.

Before After
Monday morning (7.00 am - 9.00 am) Monday morning (7.00 am - 9.00 am)
Phase A B C D A B C D
Green Time (sec) 154 54 154 54 34 9 34 9
Yellow Time (sec) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
All-Red Time (sec) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Phase Time (sec) 160 60 160 60 40 15 40 15

Table 3: Phasing timing summary results at Politeknik Seberang Prai intersection on Friday
(5.00 pm – 7.00 pm) before and after proposed the new phase timing.

Before After
Friday evening (5.00 pm - 7.00 pm) Friday evening (5.00 pm - 7.00 pm)
Phase A B C D A B C D
Green Time (sec) 174 54 174 54 34 14 34 14
Yellow Time (sec) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
All-Red Time (sec) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Phase Time (sec) 180 60 180 60 40 20 40 20
 Table 4: Level of Service (LOS) before and after proposed new phase timing at
Politeknik Seberang Prai Intersection.

Before After
Intersection at Lane Level of Service (LOS) Level of Service (LOS)
Politeknik Width
Seberang Prai (m) Monday Friday Monday Friday
(7am- (8am- (5pm- (6pm- (7am- (8am- (5pm- (6pm-
8am) 9am) 6pm) 7pm) 8am) 9am) 6pm) 7pm)
South: Jalan Permatang Pauh (Major Road)
Lane 1 3.3 LOS A LOS A LOS A LOS A LOS A LOS A LOS A LOS A
Lane 2 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
Lane 3 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
Lane 4 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS D LOS D LOS D LOS D
Average LOS F LOS E LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
East: Politeknik Seberang Prai
Lane 1 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS D LOS D LOS D LOS D
Average LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS D LOS D LOS D LOS D
North: Jalan Permatang Pauh (Major Road)
Lane 1 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS D LOS C LOS C
Lane 2 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
Lane 3 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS D LOS D LOS D LOS D
Average LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS D LOS D
West: Jalan Pauh Jaya (Minor Road)
Lane 1 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
Lane 2 3.3 LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
Average LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
Average
LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS F LOS C LOS C LOS C LOS C
Intersection

4. CONCLUSION

From the study of traffic volume analysis in Jalan Permatang Pauh, it can be solved by the proposed new phase
time at Politeknik Seberang Perai intersection. Therefore, by the proposed new phase time the traffic congestion
will reduced at Politeknik Seberang Perai intersection. The better LOS can improved the traffic free flow for the
road users at near Politeknik Seberang Perai intersection. Based on the result of analysis, the value of LOS in
Politeknik Seberang Prai intersection was LOS C

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