4 SPEED, JOURNEY TIME AND DELAY SURVEYS

4.1 Definitions

Speed is the rate of movement of traffic or of specified components of traffic and is

expressed in metric units in kilometres per hour (KPH).

1. Spot speed is the instantaneous speed of a vehicle at a specified location

2. Running speed is the average speed maintained by a vehicle over a given

course while the vehicle is in motion.

i.e. Running speed = Distance / Running time = Distance / (Journey time –

delay)

3. Journey speed (or overall travel speed) is the effective speed of a vehicle
between two points. Thus:

Journey speed = Distance / Total journey time (including delays)

4. Time-mean speed is the average of the speed measurements at one point in

space over a period of the time. It is the average of a number of spot speed
measurements.
5. Space-mean speed is the average of the speed measurements at an instant of
time over a space.

4.2 Use of Speed, Journey Time and Delay Studies

Spot speed measurements are required for:

 For geometric design of roads including design speed and other geometric
elements such as horizontal curvature, vertical profile, sight distances and super-
elevation.
 Spot speed studies are needed for regulation and control of traffic operations
 For analysing the causes of accidents and identifying any relation between speed
and accidents
 Before-and-after studies of road improvement schemes
 To measure congestion and capacity

Journey speeds and delays are required:

 To quantify the journey cost in highway economic studies. Includes journey speeds
and delays
 To evaluate congestion, capacity, level of services in a network
 For trip assignment and modal choice in transportation planning studies

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  For assessing the effectiveness of improvement measures
 At intersections provide data for the design and installation of traffic control
devices

4.2.1 Methods of Measuring Spot Speeds

The methods available for measuring spot speeds can be grouped into:

a) Those that require observation of the time taken by a vehicle to cover a

known distance. These are further classified into long base and short base.
The long base methods commonly used are: (i) Direct timing, (ii)
Endoscope and (iii) Pressure contact tubes.

Short-base method uses vehicle detectors over a short distance.

b) Radar speed meter which automatically records the instantaneous speed

c) Photographic method

Factors to be considered while selecting the site for the survey are:

1. The purpose for which the data are required. E.g. in accident pattern studies
2. Minimize the influence of the study team and equipment on the vehicle speeds.
3. Generally straight, level and open sections of highways

4.2.2 Direct-Timing Procedure for Spot Speed Determination

Two reference points are marked on the pavement at a suitable distance apart and an
observer starts and stops and accurate stop-watch as a vehicle crosses these two
marks. From the known distance and the measured time intervals speeds are
calculated. Large errors are likely due to parallax.

4.2.3 Radar Speed Meters

These meters work on the Doppler principle. The instrument is set up near the edge of
the carriage way at a height of about 1m, above the ground level. The speeds of
vehicles in both directions can be observed by this method. The device has been
extensively used for traffic engineering studies as well as for enforcement by traffic
police.

4.2.4 Photographic Method and Video Camera Method

Time-lapse camera photography can be used to determine the speeds of vehicles in

crowded streets. Photographs are taken at fixed intervals.

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 Images by video cameras can also be used.

4.2.5 Methods for Measurement of Running Speed and Journey Speed

The methods commonly used for measuring running speed and journey speed are:

(i) Moving observer method

(ii) Registration number method
(iii) Elevated observer method.

These methods are described in detail in the following sections.

(a) Moving Observer Method

The speed and flow can be obtained by travelling in a car against and with the flow,
and noting down the journey time, the number of vehicles met with from the opposite
direction, and number of vehicles overtaking the test vehicle.

Preferably even two cars are required, each carrying a driver and three observers.
One observer in the car counts opposing traffic, another carries a journey log prepared
in advance. The log records the traffic counts and times at predetermined points en-
route, together with stopping and starting at intersections.

Advantages of the method

o It gives an unbiased estimate of the flow.

o The method is equivalent to a stationary count over twice the single journey time.
o It is economical in manpower.
o It enables data on speed and flow to be collected at the same time
o It gives mean values of flow and speed over a section, rather than at a point.
o It gives additional information on stops at intersections, delays, parked vehicles etc.

(b) Registration Number Method

Observers are stationed at the ends of a measuring section, about 0.5 – 1.0 km long.
The time and registration number of the vehicles entering and leaving the section are
noted using synchronized watches.

(c) Elevated Observer Method

Observers stationed on top of an elevated building