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Introduction

Transport Planning or Transportation is a fundamental element for functioning of any society,

region or state. It demonstrates a very close relationship with the study of life, the range and

location of productive and leisure activities and the goods and services, which will be

available for consumption. New technologies of transportation have been very closely

correlated with the development of modern society. From the definition of transportation

planning we find that “Transportation planning is the field involved with the siting of

transportation facilities (generally streets, highways, sidewalks, bike lanes and public

transport lines).” Under this field traffic volume survey plays a vital role to determine the

existing condition and to forecast the future condition of traffic volume. Traffic Volume is

the number of vehicles crossing a section of road per unit time at any selected

period. Traffic volume is used as a quantity measure of flow and the commonly

used units are vehicles per day and vehicles per hour.

Traffic capacity of any road is an important part of the planning. It influences the traffic flow

in a city. Traffic capacity is expressed as the maximum number of vehicles a lane that can

pass a specified point in unit time usually an hour.

The volume of traffic repeats not only the numbers of people requiring to be moved but also

their affluences. The volume of transport between two urban centers depends upon the quality

of highway and availability of various transportation modes between these urban centers. The

volume also depends upon the interaction between these urban centers.

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Study area

Khulna is the third largest industrial city in Bangladesh is the divisional headquarters. It is the

third largest populated town with about 0.80 million population in Bangladesh. It is situated

on the right bank of the river Bhairab. Since 1842 it has been the headquarters of a sub-

division. Being a major city of the country it has developed a modern transportation network.

The uses of a variety of traffic routes have completed a great impact on daily city life. With

the enhancement of population and with the economic tricks, the volume of inter-city

transportation increases in a simultaneous rate day by day. Our study area is Moylapota

intersection which is one of the busiest road of Khulna city. In this point traffic volume is

relatively high, compared with other busy points. All type of vehicles such as rickshaw,

rickshaw van, easy bike, motorcycle, bicycle, scoter, pushcart, suv, bus, micro bus, truck, car

etc. move in this road.

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Objectives and Need of the Study

One of the fundamental measures of traffic on a road is the volume of traffic

using the road in a given interval of time. It is also termed as flow and it is

expressed in vehicles per hour or vehicle per day. When the traffic is composed

of a number of vehicles, it is the normal practice to convert the flow into

equivalent Passenger-Car Unit (PCU), by using certain equivalency factors. The flow

is then expressed as PCUs per hour or PCUs per day.

K n ow in g t he f lo w ch a r ac t e r i s t i c s on e can eas i l y d e t e rmi n e w h e t he r a

p a r t i cu l a r section of the road is handling traffic much above or below its capacity. If a

traffic is heavy, the road suffers from congestion with consequent loss in journey

speeds. lower the speeds causes economic loss to the community due to time lost by the

occupants of the vehicles and the higher operational cost of vehicles. Congestion also lead to

traffic hazards. There for traffic volume data are require to draw up schemes for

improvement of road network and also to allocate the scare economic resources most

advantageously

The study comprises the following objectives which are given below:

1. To study the existing volume of traffic in Moylapota intersection.

2. To find out the volume of traffic both fast moving and slow moving.

3. To identify the traffic characteristics.

4. To explore the present traffic condition.

5. To find out the causes and consequences of traffic congestion.

6. To find out the possible solutions.

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Methodology

Our survey topics is Traffic volume survey of Traffic intersection of Khulna city and our

study area is Moylapota intersection. This study maintains a systematically well-arranged

methodology for the achievement and successful accomplishment of the report. The

methodology divided into some segments as,

Conceptualization: Concepts about the study are developed from the previous relevant

studies and papers like report, thesis, books etc. From those previous works, effects and

causes of traffic congestion and also undertaken measures to reduce traffic congestion have

been known. Those concepts are very essential to conduct this report. For the survey we

prepared a survey form to measure the traffic volume.

Tally Sheets:

Recording data onto tally sheets is the simplest means of conducting manual counts. The data

can be recorded with the tally mark on a pre-prepared survey form.

Field procedure: Related information like traffic volume, the inbound and outbound

traffic of the intersection. Transportation type of the area are collected by means of objective

observation. The main objective of the survey is to observe the vehicular traffic flow, to

identify the traffic characteristics, to explore the present traffic condition. We surveyed the

study area both weekend and weekday to find out and measure the traffic volume with the

survey form. In the survey time we the group members are placed each station. Then we start

our survey together in time. In the weekend survey, we spent 1hr continuously. But, in the

weekday we surveyed 15 min cycle in 4 order. Thus, we have finished our traffic volume

survey.

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Methodology Diagram:

Conceptualization

Selection of the topics

Done by teacher

Prepare tally form

Selection criteria

1. Make trip by once vehicle

2. shares the Fare

Data collection

Selection of the temporary

station for surveying.

Calculation the traffic volume

Presentation by maps tabular from

and textual from

Analysis

Report writing

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METHODS FOR COUNTING TRAFFIC

VOLUME

(1) Mechanical counters

(2) Manual counts

(1) Mechanical counters: These may be either fixed type or portable type. The mechanical

counter can au t om at i ca l l y r e co r d t h e to t a l n umb e r o f v eh i c l e s c ro s s i ng a

s ec t io n o f t h e ro ad i n a desired period. The working may be by the effect of impulses

or stimuli caused by traffic movement on a pneumatic hose placed across the roadway or by

using any other of sensor. T r a f f i c co un t i s r e co rd e d b y e l ec t r i c a l l y o p e r a t ed

co un t e r s an d r eco rd e r s cap ab l e o f r e co r d i ng t h e i mp u l s es . Th e i mp u l s es

c au s ed b y v eh i c l es o f l i gh t w e i gh t m ay n o t b e enough in some cases to actuate.

The main advantages of mechanical counter is that it can wo r k th r oug h ou t t h e da y

an d n ig h t f o r t h e d e s i r ed p e r i od , r e co r d in g t h e t o t a l h o u r l y volume,

which may not be practicable in manual counting. The main drawback of the

mechanical counter is that it is not possible to get the traffic volumes of various classes

of traffic in the stream and the details of turning movements.

(2) Manual counts: This method employs a field team to record traffic volume on the

prescribed record sheets. By this method it is possible to obtain data which is not be

collected by mechanical counters, such as vehicle classification, turning movements and

counts where the loading condition or number of occupants are required. But it is

not practicable to have manual count for all the 24 hours of the day. Hence it is

necessary to resort to statically sampling techniques in order to cut down the manual

hours involved in talking complete counts, First the fluctuation of traffic volume

during the hours of day and the daily variations are observed. Then by selecting typical short

count period, the traffic volume study is made by manual counting. Then by statistical

analysis the peak hourly traffic volumes as well as the average daily traffic volumes are

calculated. This method is very commonly adopted due to the specific advantages over other

methods.

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Traffic Volume Survey

In our traffic volume survey we are assigned to survey the traffic volume of Moylapota

intersection. From the following method we follow the manual count method. Under this

method we arrange our working process into some steps.

The following steps ware performed for traffic volume study:

(1) Preparation of site layout

(2) Vehicle Count Survey

(3) Traffic Volume Survey Analysis

• Analysis of Traffic Volume Composition

• Hourly Variation of Traffic Volume in Vehicle/hr and PCU/hr(MODE WISE)

• Hourly Variation of Traffic Volume in Vehicle/hr and PCU/hr

(direction wise)

(1) Preparation of site layout

After selection our study area we visit there and prepare a site layout map which is

given below:

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(2) Vehicle Count Survey: Volume Count data is as following -

Week end survey information:

Inbound Vehicle

Vehicle Type M P I S J Total

Rickshaw 324 372 120 340 142 1298

Rickshaw Van 53 68 48 110 19 298

Easy Bike 241 281 124 375 23 1044

Bicycle 193 143 56 185 56 633

Pushcart 12 2 1 2 2 19

Scooter 4 2 0 16 2 24

Carrier 0 2 0 1 0 3

Car 40 23 4 32 3 102

Micro Bus 21 4 2 35 1 63

SUV 15 6 3 5 0 29

Bus 2 3 1 2 0 8

Truck 2 0 2 0 0 4

Motor Cycle 218 175 92 133 61 679

Others 6 0 0 5 0 11

Total inbound vehicles 4215

Outbound Vehicle

Vehicle Type R M S H A Total

Rickshaw 130 248 315 341 250 1284

Rickshaw Van 42 37 88 65 29 261

Easy Bike 151 325 317 212 29 1034

Bicycle 109 125 156 142 74 606

Pushcart 3 9 0 3 3 18

Scooter 0 2 5 13 0 20

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Vehicle per hour in week end = (4215 + 4118) or, 8333

Vehicle per day in week end = (8333 × 24) or, 199992

Week Day Survey Information:

Inbound Traffic

Vehicle Type I M S A S Total

Rickshaw 538 455 421 162 372 1948

Rickshaw Van 77 83 118 85 51 414

Easy Bike 426 307 313 100 95 1241

Bicycle 188 220 164 121 82 775

Pushcart 2 12 1 0 11 26

Scooter 17 8 5 8 0 38

Tralier 0 4 4 1 0 9

Car 68 83 30 18 19 218

Micro Bus 33 27 8 5 4 77

SUV 31 18 1 1 1 52

Bus 6 2 3 0 0 11

Truck 6 2 1 6 0 15

Motor Cycle 240 409 182 130 146 1107

Others 1 2 3 3 3 12

Total inbound vehicles 5943

Carrier 2 0 0 2 0 4

Car 3 33 28 32 5 101

Micro Bus 4 22 13 21 0 60

SUV 5 10 7 9 0 31

Bus 0 4 2 2 0 8

Truck 1 2 3 0 0 6

Motor Cycle 82 153 141 234 65 675

Others 0 2 3 5 0 10

Total outbound vehicles 4118

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Out bound Traffic

Vehicle Type H M R P J Total

Rickshaw 327 201 165 430 241 1364

Rickshaw Van 91 110 99 67 47 414

Easy Bike 300 290 134 145 313 1182

Bicycle 197 168 137 112 212 826

Pushcart 0 6 0 2 7 15

Scooter 18 4 1 1 5 29

Tralier 6 3 3 0 6 18

Car 85 23 14 24 61 207

Micro Bus 28 6 9 0 14 57

SUV 20 6 1 0 12 39

Bus 5 0 2 0 3 10

Truck 10 10 2 0 6 28

Motor Cycle 347 150 143 101 220 961

Others 12 14 2 0 3 31

Total outbound vehicles 5181

Vehicle per hour in week day = ( 5943 + 5181) or, 11124

Vehicle per day in week day = (11124 × 24) or, 266976

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(3) Variation on traffic volume:

Variation on inbound traffic

1948

414

1241

775

26

38

9

218

77

52

11

15

1107

12

1298

298

1044

633

19

24

3

102

63

29

8

4

679

11

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Rickshaw

Rickshaw Van

Easy Bike

Bicycle

Pushcart

Scooter

Tralier

Car

Micro Bus

SUV

Bus

Truck

Motor Cycle

Others

Inbound Variation in traffic volume

weekendTotal weekday Total

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Variation on outbound traffic

1364

414

1182

826

15

29

18

207

57

39

10

28

961

31

1284

261

1034

606

18

20

4

101

60

31

8

6

675

10

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Rickshaw

Rickshaw Van

Easy Bike

Bicycle

Pushcart

Scooter

Tralier

Car

Micro Bus

SUV

Bus

Truck

Motor Cycle

Others

Outbound Variation in traffic volume

weekendTotal weekday Total

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Calculation of PCU:

Week end

Vehicles Types Inbound

vehicles/hr

Outbound

vehicles/hr

Total

vehicles/hr

PCU values Practical

Traffic

Capacity/hr

Rickshaw 1298 1284 2582 0.5 1291

Rickshaw Van 298 261 559 0.5 279.5

Easy Bike 1044 1034 2078 0.75 1558.5

Bicycle 633 606 1239 0.25 309.75

Pushcart 19 18 37 2.5 92.5

Scooter 24 20 44 0.4 17.6

Trailer 3 4 7 4 28

Car 102 101 203 1 203

Micro Bus 63 60 123 1 123

SUV 29 31 60 2 120

Bus 8 8 16 3 48

Truck 4 6 10 3 30

Motor Cycle 679 675 1354 0.4 541.6

Week day

Vehicles Types Inbound

vehicles/hr

Outbound

vehicles/hr

Total

vehicles/hr

PCU

values

Practical

Traffic

Capacity/hr

Rickshaw 1948 1364 3312 0.5 1656

Rickshaw Van 414 414 828 0.5 414

Easy Bike 1241 1182 2423 0.75 1817.25

Bicycle 775 826 1601 0.25 400.25

Pushcart 26 15 41 2.5 102.5

Scooter 38 29 67 0.4 26.8

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Trailer 9 18 27 4 108

Car 218 207 425 1 425

Micro Bus 77 57 134 1 134

SUV 52 39 91 2 182

Bus 11 10 21 3 63

Truck 15 28 43 3 129

Motor Cycle 1107 961 2068 0.4 827.2

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3-D Image of Moylapota Intersection:

Top view

Side view

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Conclusion:

As a planner, we need information about traffic. We should have enough information to

design and manage road and traffic system. Generally, we use the information for planning

and designing traffic facilities, selecting geometric standards, economic analysis and

determination of priorities. We also use this to justify warrant of traffic control devices.

Sometimes we use this information to study the effectiveness of introduced schemes,

diagnosing given situations and finding appropriate solutions, forecasting the effects of

projected strategies, calibrating and validating traffic models. As we all know, transportation

system is a dynamic system. Information about traffic must be regularly updated to keep pace

with ever-changing transportation system. And traffic system can be called the heart of

transportation system. Again, traffic surveys are the means of obtaining information about

traffic. In our Traffic volume survey, we tried to have a look over total traffic at “Moylapota”

intersection. So, last of all, we can say that as a planning student, we all must acquire general

knowledge of traffic volume characteristics through traffic volume survey in order to measure

and understand the magnitude, composition, and time and route distribution of volume for

each area under his jurisdiction.

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References:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/51981259/Traffic-Volume-survey

http://www.scribd.com/doc/59266481/Report-on-Traffic-Volume-Study

http://www.123helpme.com/traffic-volume-study-view.asp?id=159706