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Lecture 3-Speed Studies (Spot Speed)

This document discusses speed studies in traffic engineering. It recommends collecting spot speed data from a sample size of at least 50 vehicles, preferably 100, on a weekday to analyze traffic patterns. The necessary sample size is determined using statistical equations to achieve a given level of accuracy and confidence. Spot speed data is grouped and presented in tables, histograms and cumulative frequency distribution curves. Measures of central tendency like pace and mean speeds are used to analyze the data, along with measures of dispersion like standard deviation and coefficient of variation.

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86 views11 pages

Lecture 3-Speed Studies (Spot Speed)

This document discusses speed studies in traffic engineering. It recommends collecting spot speed data from a sample size of at least 50 vehicles, preferably 100, on a weekday to analyze traffic patterns. The necessary sample size is determined using statistical equations to achieve a given level of accuracy and confidence. Spot speed data is grouped and presented in tables, histograms and cumulative frequency distribution curves. Measures of central tendency like pace and mean speeds are used to analyze the data, along with measures of dispersion like standard deviation and coefficient of variation.

Uploaded by

Matt Design
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Traffic Engineering Dr.

Aso Faiz Talabany

Traffic Engineering
Lecture No. 3
SPEED STUDIES

Spot Speed Data Sample Size


* Collecting data on a sampling bases
For a spot speed study at a selected location, a sample size of at least 50 and
preferably 100 vehicles is usually obtained (Ewing 1999). Traffic counts during a
Monday (Sunday) morning or a Friday (Thursday) peak period may show
exceptionally high volumes and are not normally used in the analysis; therefore,
counts are usually conducted on a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday).

The accuracy of any given sample depends upon two factors:


1- Pure chance (the larger the sample size the smaller the chance that an
estimated mean (x ) is significantly different than the true mean(µ).
2- Selection of vehicles in a non random way.

The necessary size of a sample to yield any given accuracy with any given level of
confidence may be determined using the equation:


e = k ( ------ )
n

Where n= sample size


e= limits of tolerable errors ( max. = ± 1.0 mph)
 /  n = the standard error ( it was found that 5 mph is a good
estimate for  )
k = the number of standard deviations referring to the desired
confidence level.

Confidence level (%) Z (k)


68.3 1.000
90.0 1.645
95.0 1.960
95.5 2.000
99.0 2.575
99.7 3.000

Grouping, Presentation and Analysis of Spot Speed Data


* The mathematics of statistics must be introduced into the analysis of spot speed
data because:
1- The uncertainty involved in the characterization of an enteric population by
variables based upon a sample
2- The vehicles in traffic stream are not traveling at uniform speeds within a
comparatively wide range

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Grouping & Presentation of Spot Speed Data


1- Tabular arrangement (frequency distribution spot speed Table).
2- Graphical presentation
i- Frequency histogram (between speed groups & percent of total
observations in group) (total area under frequency histogram is unity)
ii- Frequency distribution curve (between mean speed of groups &
percent of total observations in group) (total area under frequency
curve is unity)
iii- Cumulative frequency distribution curve (between upper limit of each
speed group & cumulative percent of total observations)

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Measures of Central Tendency

Pace: Is that 10-mile range in speeds on which the highest number of observations
were recorded.
It is identified by a 10-mile speed increment which “cut off” the peak of the frequency
distribution curve

Relationship between Space Mean Speed and Time Mean Speed


Time mean speed (TMS):

TMS = D‾/t Average distance per unit time

TMS = Arithmetic mean

Space Mean Speed (SMS):

SMS = D/t‾ Fixed distance per average time

SMS = Harmonic mean

TMS = SMS + σs2/SMS

TMS is always > SMS

Measures of dispersion

Standard deviation
Standard deviation from allowable speed limits
Variance
Coefficient of variation
Standard error

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