LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Introduction
The concept of forecasting the future use of the road network in terms of traffic flow, is
generally an accepted approach world-wide. The accuracy of traffic data collection and the
subsequent predictions are of paramount importance in the fulfilment of an appropriate
planning, design, maintenance monitoring and management of the road network.

In order to facilitate the assessment of present and future traffic demands,

continuous monitoring of traffic by appropriate methods is necessary. It is essential to
know the magnitude of traffic data required or to be collected before selecting the
appropriate method. Traffic volume counts falls in two main categories, namely; manual
counts and automatic counts. In this laboratory work, the manual classified traffic count
is chosen. This is because the applications of manual count require small samples of data
at a given location. In fact, manual counts are necessary when automatic equipment is not
available.

A manual classified count (MCC) involves counting all the vehicles passing a
selected location on a road for a pre-determined period of time. Manual counts are typically
used for periods of less than a day. Normal intervals for a manual count are 5, 10, or 15
minutes. For this laboratory work particularly, an interval of 15 minutes has been
chosen. The count is conducted by persons standing at the roadside and recording passing
vehicles on a form, hence the term “manual traffic count”. The count records individual
vehicles by categories and the direction they are travelling in. This is the reason it is called
a ‘classified count’.

In order to predict traffic flow volumes that can be expected on the road network
during specific periods, cognisance should be taken of the fact that traffic volumes changes
considerably at each point in time. There are three cyclical variations that are of particular
interest. These include: a) Hourly pattern b) Daily Pattern and c) Monthly and yearly
Pattern. An hourly pattern is chosen for this particular laboratory work. It is usually
expressed as vehicles per day but since in this experiment the time interval of 15 minutes
for one hour is applied, therefore the unit is expressed as vehicles per hour.

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Objective
 To determine hourly traffic volume trends and vehicle compositions at all
intersection approaches
 To determine the vehicle compositions at the intersection approaches.
 To determine the signal timing of the particular traffic light

Equipment
1. Mechanical counting boards
2. Vehicles counting forms
3. Safety vests
4. Stopwatch
5. True meter (Road distance measuring wheel)

Procedure

Figure 1

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

1. A 3-legged signalised intersection located at Jalan Kerinchi and Jalan Pantai

Permai was selected as location of the traffic count. Figure 1 shows an illustration
of the 3-legged signalised intersection located at Jalan Kerinchi and Jalan Pantai
Permai.

2. The intersection count classification scheme must be understood by all observers

before the count can begin. The intersection has 6 possible movements (see Figure
2), which are labelled from 1 until 6. The intersection movements are through, left
turn, and right turn.

3. The observer records the intersection movement for each vehicle that enters the
intersection. Each group member was then assigned to record the count at each
intersection approach as shown in Figure 1.

4. It must be noted that, observers must be positioned where they have a clear view of
the traffic. Observers should be positioned away from the edge of the roadway. If
observers are positioned above ground level and clear of obstructions they usually
have the best vantage point.

5. Using mechanical counting board, the number of vehicles according to their types
are punched in at 15-minutes intervals for 1 hour. This step was repeated for four
times untill one hour period has been achieved.

6. Besides the traffic count data recorded by each group member, several data were
collected as well for this laboratory work. These include, the geometric design of
the 3-legged junction, period of each traffic light color (green, red and amber) and
period where all traffic lights turned red. All the data were recorded and tabulated.

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Results and Discussion

Date : 26th October 2015

Time : 4.00pm – 5.30pm
Duration : 1 hour ( collection of data )
Weather : Sunny and Heavy Rain
Location : Jalan Kerinchi and Jalan Pantai Permai

Figure 2 Approaches available at the junction

Traffic count results for one hour at all approaches are tabulated as follows. The following
are reference to the Table 1 tabulated.
1: 0 - 15 minutes Location 1: North Bound ( Left Turn)
2: 15 - 30 minutes Location 2: East Bound ( Right Turn)
3: 30 - 45 minutes Location 3: North Bound (Right Turn)
4: 45 – 60 minutes Location 4: West Bound ( Thru)
Location 5: West Bound ( Left Turn)
Location 6: East Bound (Thru)

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Table 1 Computation of Traffic Count (1 hour result)

Location 1: North Bound (Left Turn)

Location
Small
1 Car Van Big Lorry Bus Motorcycle Total
Lorry
1 141 2 8 6 1 68 226
2 167 3 3 0 1 84 258
3 137 1 6 0 1 86 231
4 153 2 7 4 0 80 246
Total 598 8 24 10 3 318 961

Location 2: East Bound (Right Turn)

Location Small
Car Van Big Lorry Bus Motorcycle Total
2 Lorry
1 71 4 2 2 0 101 180
2 133 5 3 0 1 45 187
3 59 1 1 1 0 37 99
4 121 6 2 2 1 93 225
Total 384 8 5 2 276 16 691

Location 3: North Bound (Right Turn)

Location Small
Car Van Big Lorry Bus Motorcycle Total
3 Lorry
1 118 0 3 0 0 24 145
2 107 1 3 0 1 18 130
3 98 1 1 1 1 31 133
4 122 1 2 1 1 33 160
Total 445 3 9 2 3 106 568

Location 4: West Bound (Thru)

Location Small
Car Van Big Lorry Bus Motorcycle Total
4 Lorry
1 63 4 3 0 3 21 94
2 53 2 3 1 2 27 88
3 58 0 1 0 0 17 76
4 61 3 1 0 2 29 96
Total 235 9 8 1 7 94 354

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Location 5: West Bound (Left Turn)

Location Small
Car Van Big Lorry Bus Motorcycle Total
5 Lorry
1 31 2 1 0 1 11 46
2 26 1 2 0 1 13 43
3 29 0 0 0 0 9 38
4 31 1 1 1 1 14 49
Total 117 4 4 1 3 47 176

Location 6: East Bound (Thru)

Location Car Van Small Big Lorry Bus Motorcycle Total
6 Lorry
1 71 8 1 1 1 34 116
2 79 4 1 0 2 37 123
3 69 6 0 3 3 34 115
4 73 7 1 1 2 40 124
Total 292 25 3 5 8 145 478

Based on the results tabulated, there are several computation of analysis can be
made using the raw data of traffic count above. Firstly, analysis can be made based on the
contribution of different types of vehicles to the traffic count data. Therefore, this yields to
Table 2 below:-
Table 2 Total Traffic Count Based on Types of Vehicles
Total Traffic Count
Types of Vehicle
(for specified vehicle class)
Car 1808
Van 55
Small Lorry 50
Big Lorry 21
Bus 25
Motorcycle 803
Total 2762

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Traffic Count Data based on Types of Vehicles

Car Van Small Lorry Big Lorry Bus Motorcycle

29%
1%
65%
1%
2%
2%

Based on Table 2 and the pie chart, it can be observed that, car is the highest
contributor to the traffic count having 1808 counts with 65% , followed by motorcycles
with 803 counts, then van, small lorry, buses and lastly big lorry. The reason car and
motorcycles being the top most contributor is because of the location of this 3-legged
junction. This 3-legged junction is located near housing area, shopping malls and shop lots.
Thus, this area involves a lot of car and motorcycles movements. On the hand, big lorries
wins the least contributor in this traffic count exercise. This is because industrial
developing areas and factory are located far away from this junction. The total number of
vehicles that passes this junction is 2762.

Computation of Traffic Volume

Next, analysis on hourly traffic volume can be obtained based on the traffic count data.
However, the traffic count data has to be converted into traffic volume data. The calculation
of the Total Traffic Volume is based on the Passenger Car Unit (PCU). This PCU factor
varies with different types of vehicles. Table 3 shows the Passenger Car Unit factor for
various types of vehicles.

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Table 3 Passenger Car Unit Factor

Example of total traffic volume calculation at Location 1:

Total Traffic Volume,

= ∑(𝑃𝐶𝑈 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒)( 𝑁𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 15 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠)

= (1.0 x 141) + (2 x 1.75) + (8 x 1.75) + (6 x 2.25) + (1 x 2.25) + (68 x 0.33)

= 141 + 3.5 + 14 + 13.5 + 2.25 + 22.44

= 196.69

Therefore, based on the example of calculation shown above, traffic volume for all
locations, according to their respective vehicles are tabulated in Table 4 below. The
following are reference used for the table tabulated.

1: 0 - 15 minutes Location 1: North Bound ( Left Turn)

2: 15 - 30 minutes Location 2: East Bound ( Right Turn)
3: 30 - 45 minutes Location 3: North Bound (Right Turn)
4: 45 – 60 minutes Location 4: West Bound ( Thru)
Location 5: West Bound ( Left Turn)
Location 6: East Bound (Thru)

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 LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

PCU PCU
PCU PCU Small Big PCU PCU Total
Interval Car Van Small Big Bus Motorcycle
Car Van Lorry Lorry Bus Motorcycle PCU
Lorry Lorry
1 141 141 2 3.5 8 14 6 13.5 1 2.25 68 22.44 196.69
Location 2 167 167 3 5.25 3 5.25 0 0 1 2.25 84 27.72 207.47
1
3 137 137 1 1.75 6 10.5 0 0 1 2.25 86 28.38 179.88
4 153 153 2 3.5 7 12.25 4 9 0 0 80 26.4 204.15
Total by
598 598 8 14 24 42 10 22.5 3 6.75 318 104.94 788.19
Types
PCU PCU
PCU PCU Small Big PCU PCU Total
Interval Car Van Small Big Bus Motorcycle
Car Van Lorry Lorry Bus Motorcycle PCU
Lorry Lorry
1 71 71 4 7 2 3.5 2 4.5 0 0 101 33.33 119.33
Location
2 2 133 133 5 8.75 3 5.25 0 0 1 2.25 45 14.85 164.1
3 59 59 1 1.75 1 1.75 1 2.25 0 0 37 12.21 76.96
4 121 121 6 10.5 2 3.5 2 4.5 1 2.25 93 30.69 172.44
Total by
384 384 16 28 8 14 5 11.25 2 4.5 276 91.08 532.83
Types
PCU PCU
PCU PCU Small Big PCU PCU Total
Interval Car Van Small Big Bus Motorcycle
Car Van Lorry Lorry Bus Motorcycle PCU
Lorry Lorry
1 118 118 0 0 3 5.25 0 0 0 0 24 7.92 131.17
Location 2 107 107 1 1.75 3 5.25 0 0 1 2.25 18 5.94 122.19
3
3 98 98 1 1.75 1 1.75 1 2.25 1 2.25 31 10.23 116.23
4 122 122 1 1.75 2 3.5 1 2.25 1 2.25 33 10.89 142.64
Total by
445 445 3 5.25 9 15.75 2 4.5 3 6.75 106 34.98 512.23
Types

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 LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

PCU PCU
PCU PCU Small Big PCU PCU Total
Interval Car Van Small Big Bus Motorcycle
Car Van Lorry Lorry Bus Motorcycle PCU
Lorry Lorry
1 63 63 4 7 3 5.25 0 0 3 6.75 21 6.93 88.93

Location 2 53 53 2 3.5 3 5.25 1 2.25 2 4.5 27 8.91 77.41

4
3 58 58 0 0 1 1.75 0 0 0 0 17 5.61 65.36

4 61 61 3 5.25 1 1.75 0 0 2 4.5 29 9.57 82.07

Total by
235 235 9 15.75 8 14 1 2.25 7 15.75 94 31.02 313.77
Types
PCU PCU
PCU PCU Small Big PCU PCU Total
Interval Car Van Small Big Bus Motorcycle
Car Van Lorry Lorry Bus Motorcycle PCU
Lorry Lorry
1 31 31 2 3.5 1 1.75 0 0 1 2.25 11 3.63 42.13
Location
2 26 26 1 1.75 2 3.5 0 0 1 2.25 13 4.29 37.79
5
3 29 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 2.97 31.97

4 31 31 1 1.75 1 1.75 1 2.25 1 2.25 14 4.62 43.62

Total by
117 117 4 7 4 7 1 2.25 3 6.75 47 15.51 155.51
Types
PCU PCU
PCU PCU Small Big PCU PCU Total
Interval Car Van Small Big Bus Motorcycle
Car Van Lorry Lorry Bus Motorcycle PCU
Lorry Lorry
1 71 71 8 14 1 1.75 1 2.25 1 2.25 34 11.22 102.47

Location 2 79 79 4 7 1 1.75 0 0 2 4.5 37 12.21 104.46

6
3 69 69 6 10.5 0 0 3 6.75 3 6.75 34 11.22 104.22

4 73 73 7 12.25 1 1.75 1 2.25 2 4.5 40 13.2 106.95

Total by
292 292 25 43.75 3 5.25 5 11.25 8 18 145 47.85 418.1
Types

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Based on the computation of Traffic Volume from previous table, Graph of Traffic Volume against Location can be plotted as shown
below.

Traffic Volume vs Location

250

200
0 - 15 mins
Traffic Volume

15 - 30 mins
150
30 - 45 mins
45 - 60 mins
100

50

0
EB Right EB Thru NB Right NB Left Turn WB Thru WB Left
Turn Turn Turn
Locations

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Where,

Location 1: North Bound ( Left Turn)

Location 2: East Bound ( Right Turn)
Location 3: North Bound (Right Turn)
Location 4: West Bound ( Thru)
Location 5: West Bound ( Left Turn)
Location 6: East Bound (Thru)

From the graph it can be seen clearly that, different approaches/directions, gives a
different hourly traffic volume trends at the 3-legged signalized intersection as shown
from the graph. This result is inclusive of all types of vehicles at a specific location. On
average, Location 1, the North Bound (Left Turn) exhibits the highest traffic volume
in that one hour period. From the graph, it shows that Location 5, West Bound (Left
Turn) has the lowest traffic volume on an average value throughout one hour period.
Shown below is the scale ranging from high to low traffic volume according to the
directions/locations.

High Low
Location 1 Location 2 Location 3 Location 6 Location 4 Location 5

The values computed on these graph can later be compared with grade from Level
of Service (LOS) obtained from the software TRANSYT -7T (TRAffic Network StudY
Tool, version 7, Federal). Then, from the grade given, necessary improvements or
recommendations shall be made based on the grade obtained.

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Computation of Cycle Time

Further analysis can be made through the cycle and phase time. Cycle Time is defined as
one complete sequence of the operation of traffic signals. Whereas, a Phase Time is as
indication shown to a particular traffic or pedestrian link. A phase can apply to a single
aspect (filter or indicative arrow), a two aspect head (pedestrians) or a three aspect head
(red / yellow / green where the green could be a directional arrow). Table 5 shows the cycle
time computation.
Table 5 Cycle Time of Signalized Intersection
Time (second)
Traffic Light Red Green Yellow Cycle
T1 53 13 3 69
T2 41 25 3 69
T3 22 44 3 69
T4 50 16 3 69

NOTE:
T1 – Controls the Turning movement L1 (NB Right Turn)
T2 – Controls the Turning movement L2 (EB Right Turn)
T3 – Controls the Turning movement L3 (EB Thru)
T4 – Controls the Turning movement L4 (WB Thru) and Turning movement L5 (WB
Left Turn)

Computation of Phase Time

Table 6 Phase Time of Signalized Intersection

Time (second)
Traffic Light Red to Red Green to Green Yellow to Yellow
T1 122 82 72
T2 110 94 72
T3 89 113 72
T4 119 85 72

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Geometric Dimensions of Jalan Kerinchi and Jalan Pantai Permai Intersection

Figure 3 Geometric dimension of the 3-legged junction

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

Conclusion

Based on this laboratory exercise, the main objective of this exercise which is to
determine the performance of an intersection, has been achieved. In this laboratory
exercise, several analysis and interpretation can be obtained from the primary data which
is the traffic count data.

The first analysis that can be made is based on the distribution of the traffic count
according to type of vehicles. The summary of this distribution can be referred to Table 2.
First of all, we could observe from Table 2, type of vehicle with the highest contributor
having 1808 in terms of the traffic count is car. This is then followed by motorcycles having
the second highest traffic count with 803. The lowest count recorded was big lorry with 21
counts. The total traffic count that was recorded that day came up to 2762 counts.

With the availability of traffic count data, computation and analysis on Traffic
Hourly Volume can be performed. Based on the analysis made, Location 1, the North
Bound (Left Turn) exhibits the highest traffic volume in that one hour period. This
reason could be due to the absence of traffic light. In simpler words, this approach does not
have a traffic light which controls the amount of vehicles which passes through. Thus, there
is a continuous flow of vehicles passing through this location (North Bound, Left Turn).

On the other hand, from the graph, it shows that Location 5, West Bound (Left
Turn) has the lowest traffic volume on an average value throughout the one hour period.
Nevertheless, among all the locations, East Bound (Right Turn) is the only approach which
shows fluctuation in the traffic volume. Its value changes according to the time interval.

Other than that, the total cycle time is 69 seconds. This cycle length value is
similar for all the 4 traffic lights. The results obtained for this exercise is not accurate since
it is affected by several factors. This is because, the period while conducting this lab
exercise was started during off peak hour and finished nearing peak hour. Thus, the
tendency of having higher volume of vehicles at the period between 45 to 60 minutes is

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LAB 1 SHAZRIN BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF | KEA 120046

extremely high. Other than that, towards the end of the exercise, it rained heavily. Weather
condition might affect the traffic counts slightly. Apart from that, another reason is due to
humans behavior in terms of obeying the traffic signals. There were countless of unethical
drivers who just passes by while the traffic signal on their lane is still red. This might affect
the accuracy of the traffic volume data collected.

Lastly, the values computed on the Traffic Volume against Location graph can later
be compared with Level of Service (LOS) grade obtained from the software TRANSYT -
7T (TRAffic Network StudY Tool, version 7, Federal). Then, from the grade given,
necessary improvements or recommendations shall be made based on the grade obtained.

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