HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

ECG564
OPEN-ENDED LAB
SEMESTER 20222

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT : SPOT SPEED STUDY (STOPWATCH)

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 21 APRIL 2022
GROUP : EC2206C4A
GROUP MEMBERS 1. Syed Muhammad Amirul Bin Wan Ibrahim (2021505067)
2. Hanna Humaira binti Mokhtar (2021505059)
3. Nurarina Farhana Bt. Kamal Hisham (2020854008)
4. Nur Diana Nadhirah Bt. Mohd Din (2021393433)
5. Muhammad Adam bin Khairul Anuar (2020963481)

LECTURER : DR. MUHAMMAD AKRAM BIN ADNAN

LEVEL OF OPENESS : 1

MARKS COMMENTS
INTRODUCTION
BASIC CONCEPTS
METHODOLOGY
RESULTS&ANALYSIS 1 2 3 4 5
DISCUSSION 1 2 3 4 5
CONCLUSION 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL MARKS
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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
LABORATORY REPORT

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Spot speed study is used to determine the speed distribution of a traffic stream at specific
location. The data gathered in spot speed are used to determine vehicle speed percentiles,
which are useful in making many speed related decisions. There are two type of speed, time
mean speed and space mean speed. In this laboratory, a report of spot speed study will be
conducted. The speed by the vehicle will be collected and the speed centile can be obtained
using graphical analysis

2.0 BASIC CONCEPTS

2.1 OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the study are:
a) To establish the speed distribution of a traffic stream at a specific site, called basic
speed data.
b) To determine the vehicle speed percentiles via speed trend analysis, which is
useful in speed-related decision making.

2.2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Spot speeds are the vehicle speeds taken at a specified point along the roadway and
the average of such speeds is referred to as time mean speed. A spot study is carried
out by recording the speeds sample of vehicles at specified location in order to estimate
the distribution of speed of vehicles. Spot speed data have a number of safety
applications, including determine speed trends by systematic continuous speed studies,
the measurement of traffic control devices’ or traffic programs’ effectiveness, the
evaluation of speeding problems, assessing speed as a causal factor to crashes,
investigate existing parameters in respect to traffic operation and control like speed
limit, speed zones and the limits of no-passing zones, establish and/or evaluate the
roadway’s geometric design for example sight distance elements and so forth.
Depending on the use of data, the observer must consider whether to collect speeds of
all vehicles, including platooned vehicles or only the speeds of unimpeded vehicles. It
is impossible to obtain a radar measurement for every vehicle under heavy traffic
conditions. One may collect all speeds during the peak period for peak flow analysis
whereas the speed of unimpeded vehicle would be collected for assessing general
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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
LABORATORY REPORT

speed trends or for setting speed limits or assessing the impact of speed zone signing,
thereby off-peak measurement (free-flowing traffic) are more appropriate. The study
occurs along a minimum of 30 meters span where the duration of a vehicle travelling
the distance is timed and used to obtain the spot speed.

2.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

One of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Malaysia is excessive speeding.
Vehicles are subjected to speed limits to prevent them from exceeding the speed limit.
Spot speed studies are used to determine whether or not drivers of vehicles are
adhering to the speed limit.

3.0 PROCEDURE
1. Necessary preparations were performed such as sufficient pens or pencils, stopwatch, spot
speed study data forms and clipboards, safety vest, and others.
2. Study location was decided, and the selected site is straight, the distance of the road (from
start to end) is 50 meters and the level of the road section represents different traffic
conditions.
3. The layout of the study area was sketched with the description of chosen reference points,
the position of observation and the number of lanes.
4. Two (2) reference points were selected as Start and End points with a distance of 50
meters apart.

5. Two (2) observers waited at Start and three (3) observers waited at End point.
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6. One observer at starting point was giving a sign to observer at the end point to record the
vehicle’s time travel from Start point to the End point while the other was calculating the
numbers for each classification of the vehicles that pass through the points.

7. At the End point, two (2) observers were recording the plate registration number and the
vehicles’ classification.

8. The speed of the vehicles was determined by using speed formula, speed = distance/time
(km/hr).
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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
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4.0 RESULTS AND DATA ANALYSIS

4.1 RESULTS

SPOT SPEED STUDY

ECG564 – HIGHWAY & TRAFFIC
ENGINEERING
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, UiTM SHAH
ALAM

MANUAL METHOD (STOPWATCH –50 METERS)

Observer : GROUP 1 Date : 21 April 2022

Location : In front Bengkel Kenderaan Day : Thursday
Start time : 8:25am End time : 8:55am
Weather : Sunny Number of lane(s) : Two

VEHICLES CLASSIFICATION
Types of vehicles Symbol
Car / Small Van / 4-Wheel Drive / Utility Vehicle C
Lorry (2 axles) / Big Van L2 / V
Big Lorry / Trailer / Heavy Vehicle (> 3 axles) L3
Bus B
Motorcycle MC

Distance = 50m= 0.05km

1hour = 3600 sec
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
Speed =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆

Table 1: Spot speed data (Stopwatch)

No Vehicle Plate Registration Vehicle Time travel Speed

Number Classification (secs) (km/hr)
1 AHB 5005 C 6.72 26.78
2 BLM 6374 C 6.49 27.73
3 W1719S C 5.89 30.56
4 WVG 6261 C 5.29 34.04
5 VFL 6084 C 6.24 28.85
6 ALV 8603 MC 5.64 31.91
7 WFT 6890 C 6.99 25.75
8 WQC 8887 C 5.81 30.98
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9 JPL 1044 C 6.51 27.65
10 WSA 8533 C 6.16 29.22
11 WLS 9321 C 7.03 25.60
12 WQM 2800 C 5.32 33.83
13 AEG 4400 B 7.81 23.05
14 TCL 9950 C 5.89 30.56
15 PPS 7700 C 7.59 23.72
16 WMP 1588 MC 7.52 23.93
17 WA 139 F C 5.51 36.66
18 BHJ 1093 C 6.61 27.23
19 VDM 732 MC 4.66 38.64
20 VBW 1024 C 6.18 29.12
21 ALC 4201 MC 5.01 35.92
22 RAA 3666 B 8.61 20.90
23 VDT 9116 C 5.06 35.56
24 BNW 9751 MC 4.88 36.87
25 JRA 7910 C 6.09 29.55
26 DCB 3366 C 6.21 28.99
27 BKP 5664 B 10.8 16.67
28 MCP 4066 V 7.59 23.72
29 KEH 5000 B 7.19 25.04
30 NBR 2002 C 5.04 35.71

4.2 DATA ANALYSIS

Speed Mid % of Cum.

class,v(km/h) point,vᵢ Frequency,Fᵢ frequency Frequency(%) Fᵢ*vᵢ Fᵢ*vᵢ²
10-14 12 0 0 0 0 0
15-19 17 1 3.45 3.45 17 289
20-24 22 5 17.24 20.69 110 2420
25-29 27 11 37.93 58.62 297 8019
30-34 32 6 20.69 79.31 192 6144
35-39 37 6 20.69 100.00 222 8214
Total 135 29 100.00 838 25086
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Graph 1: Frequency Histogram

Frequency Distribution Curve

45 40.00
40
Percentage Frequency (%)

35
30
25 20.00 20.00
20 16.67

15
10
3.33
5
0
15 20 25 27 30 35 40

Mid point speed (km/h)

Graph 3: Frequency Distribution Curve

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CUM. FREQUENCY OF SPEED(%)

120
110 100.00
100
CUM. FREQUEMCY (%)

90 80.00
80
70 60.00
60
50
40
30 20.00
20
0 3.33
10
0
20.5 25.9 33.9 35.9
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
MID POINT SPEED (KM/H)

Graph 4 : Cumulative frequency curve

From Cumulative Frequency Graph:

a) 𝑃15 = 20.5 𝑘𝑚/ℎ (𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑)
b) 𝑃50 = 25.9 𝑘𝑚/ℎ
c) 𝑃85 = 33.9 𝑘𝑚/ℎ (𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡)
d) 𝑃95 = 35.9 𝑘𝑚/ℎ (𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛)
Statistical Analysis:
∑(𝐹𝑖 𝑥 𝑣𝑖) 838
a) Mean speed = = = 27.9𝑘𝑚/ℎ
∑ 𝐹𝑖 30

b) Median speed = 𝑃50= 25.9 km/h (from Graph 3)

c) Modal speed = 27 km/h (range 25-29 km/h-from Graph 2)
∑(𝐹𝑖×𝑣𝑖) 838
d) Standard deviation = √ ∑(𝐹𝑖×𝑣𝑖²) − ( 25086
) ² = √ 30 − ( ) ² = 7.48 𝑘𝑚/ℎ
∑ 𝐹𝑖 ∑ 𝐹𝑖 30
7.48
e) Standard error = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = = 0.25
√𝑛 30

Adequacy of data for 95% confidence significant level 95%, mean ± 1.96 (𝑆𝐸)
Mean speed ± 1.96 (𝑆𝐸)
= 27.9 km/h ± 1.96(0.25)
= (28.39,27.41) km/h
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5.0 DISCUSSION

The spot study has been performed by applied manual method on a short distance which
was less than 100 meters. In order to establish the speed distribution of traffic stream and to
find out speed percentiles at a free flow road. Spot speed can be calculated using formula in
which distance is divided with time. The study was conducted to control the traffic planning,
measure roadway safety, establish the roadway design element and others.
The study was conducted in front of Bengkel Kenderaan and involved 30 data of speed
which all type of vehicles. Based on the data collected from study collection as shown, the
arithmetic mean speed was calculated 27.9 km/h, median speed was calculated 25.9 km/h from
graph 3 and modal speed was calculated 27 km/h and range 25-29 km/h-from Graph 2. Based
on data, the value of standard of deviation, by using formula that given is 7.48 km/h. Then the
standard error is 0.25. By analyzing the histogram graph in Graph 1, The modal speed is at
range 25-29 km/h with the number of frequencies of 12 vehicles. Most of the vehicle in the
experiments were travelling at this speed.
Based on the table, the cumulative frequency curve graph is plotted in graph 4. By
analyzing the graph, the speed limit and design can be determined. Values for 50th Percentile
Speed is 25.9 km/h which is median speed, 15th Percentile Speed is 20.5 km/h which is within
20 km/h which can be called disturbance speed. While 85th Percentile Speed is 33.9 km/h
commonly utilized to determine the speed limit and 98th Percentile Speed is 35.9 km/h which
is within 40 km/h that were read directly from cumulative frequency graph in Graph 4. Based
on that, the speed limit of the road is 33.9 km/h. Next for the design speed for the road in the
institutional area is 25 km/h. Compared to manual cumulative frequency graph that have been
plotted, there is slightly difference for value 50th Percentile Speed which is 25.9 km/h and 98th
Percentile Speed which is 35.9 km/h, 15th Percentile Speed is 20.5 km/h and the rest are the
same.
In this case, the are 23 vehicles that seem speed over the speed limit. There are cause by a
few factors that can be influence such as the road itself give the access for drive fast or the
urgency of student to reach to the class on time. Since the lane is straight then there are less
traffic lights and the warning sign so there is nothing to slow down the speed. Furthermore, the
way of pavement there is still in good condition without any distress or deformation so there is
no problem will be occurred when drive over the limit.
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6.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this spot speed study involves a small sample of 30 vehicles which were
taken to analyze the speed distribution of a traffic stream using manual method. Space mean
speed are utilized in this laboratory in order to measure the average speed of vehicles
travelling a roadway segment during a specified period of time whereby average time taken
from starting point to ending point and distance of roadway segment were collected as data.
From the data, speed can be obtained through the equation distance over time (s = d/t) and
also used to calculate the values of arithmetic mean speed, median speed, modal speed,
standard deviation, standard error and percentiles through speed trend analysis. To sum up,
the modal speed obtained from this laboratory was determined to be 27 km/h while the
disturbance speed, P15 is 20.5 km/h. Also, the speed limit, P85 that can be imposed in the
area is 33.9 km/h while the design speed, P95 was determined to be 35.9 km/h. It can be
concluded that the traffic stream flowed effectively as most of vehicles travels at an
appropriate speed based on the analysis performed but the vehicles still travel over the speed
limit. This shows that drivers still speed at an institutional area, therefore further actions
should be taken for the safety of all the road users. Last but not least, it can also be concluded
that the speed trend analysis is precisely obtained as the difference between excel plotted
cumulative graph and manually plotted cumulative graph is almost the same. The laboratory
are said to be successfully conducted.
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7.0 ORGANIZATION

Name Task

1.0 Introduction
Muhammad Adam bin Khairul Anuar
2.0 Basic Concept
(2020963481)
- 2.2 Theoretical Background

- 2.3 Problem Statement

Hanna Humaira binti Mokhtar 2.0 Basic Concept

(2021505059)
- 2.1 Objectives

3.0 Procedure

Syed Muhammad Amirul bin Wan Ibrahim 4.0 Result

(2021505067)
- Data Analysis

Nurarina Farhana binti Kamal Hisham 5.0 Discussion

(2020854008)

Nur Diana Nadhirah binti Mohd Din 6.0 Conclusion

(2021393433)