INTRODUCTION

Speed is an important transportation consideration because it relates to safety, time, comfort, convenience and economics. Spot speed studies are used to determine the speed distribution of a traffic stream at a specific location. The data gathered in spot speed studies are used to determine vehicle speed percentiles, which are useful in making many speed-related decisions. Spot speed data have a number of safety applications, for a spot speed study at a selected location, a sample size of at least 30 and preferably more vehicles. Traffic counts during the peak period may Show exceptionally high volumes and are not normally used in the analysis; therefore, counts are usually conducted on the other times. Spot speed data are gathered using one of three Methods: (1) stopwatch method, (2) radar meter method, or (3) pneumatic road tube method. These methods are described in this chapter in order from least expensive to most expensive. The stopwatch method is the least expensive and least accurate of the methods. Objectives
SPOT SPEED STUDY

Spot speed studies are vital for measuring different variables and factors needed in the design and analysis of the highway system. Observed speeds are used for capacity analysis, geometric design, safety measures, speed trends and assessment. Speed studies aid in the decision making processes and in before-and-after studies to assess the effectiveness of roadway modifications. Also, speed observations help determine whether the roadway is in need of new law enforcement, realignment, or reconstruction. Spot speed data have a number of safety applications, including the following: determining existing traffic operations and evaluation of traffic control devices, establishing roadway design elements, and measuring effectiveness of traffic control devices or traffic programs, including signs and markings, traffic operational changes, and speed enforcement programs. Because of the importance of such speed studies, data has to be collected properly and presented effectively. Therefore required to select a section of a road outside the university campus and away from close intersections and unusual traffic activities. Information about the selected section of the road is gathered such as section speed, number of lanes, and general description of location. Data is to be collected during off peak periods on a week day.

Procedures
Spot Speed Study Steps

1. Organize Study Plan 2. Select Data Collection Method 3. Select Appropriate Site and Collect Field Data 4. Reduce and Analyze Data 5. Interpret and Report Findings

Step 1: Organize Study Plan Essential to this initial step is to identify the reason for conducting the study and nature of the problem to be evaluated. Other considerations for the study plan are the date(s) and time(s)

during which the study should be completed, and the number of vehicles that should be observed as part of the study. The timing of the study should be consistent with the reason for conducting the study. For example, if the study is being completed to determine if speed complaints are valid during the evening rush hour, then the study should be completed during the evening rush hour. Literature suggests that speed data be collected for a minimum of one hour and observe at least 30 vehicles; however depending upon the type of technology used to complete the study, and the complexity of the study, sample sizes and durations can often include thousands of vehicles over multiple days (1). Once the plan is completed, the study can be carried out and the data can be evaluated as outlined in the steps below.

Step 2: STOPWATCH METHOD The stopwatch method can be used to successfully complete a spot speed study using a small sample size taken over a relatively short period of time. The stopwatch method is a quick and inexpensive method for collecting speed data.

Step 3: Location Selection and Collect Field Data The specific location of a study should be chosen carefully so that recorded speeds reflect how vehicles typically travel along unimpeded sections of the road under free flow conditions. Step 4: Speed Data Reduction and Analysis After the study is completed and the data have been tabulated the following steps may be considered as part of the typical data analysis. Specifically, the idea would be to identify key Parameters associated with roadway speeds, which may include any or all of the following: Mean Speed: The average speed; calculated as the sum of all speeds divided by the number of speed observations . 85th Percentile Speed: The speed at or below which 85 percent of a sample of free flowing vehicles is travelling; this is typically used as a baseline for establishing the speed (based on a spot speed study) 95th Percentile Speed: The speed at or below which 95 percent of a sample of free flowing vehicles is travelling (based on a spot speed study) Median (50th Percentile Speed): The speed that equally divides the distribution of spot speeds; 50 percent of observed speeds are higher than the median; 50 percent of observed speeds are lower than the median. Mode: The number that occurs most frequently in a series of numbers. Speed Variance: The difference in travel speeds for vehicles on the road. Mathematically, variance is the average of the squares of the difference to the mean for each observed speed. Pace: A 10 mile-per-hour increment in speeds that encompasses the highest portion of observed speeds; often is the mean speed plus/minus five miles per hour (19).

Step 5: Interpret and Report Findings Using the descriptive speed characteristics determined in Step 4, it is likely that there is now sufficient data to answer the primary questions for which the spot speed study was originally initiated. Table 1 Shows the data collected on a rural highway in Batang Berjuntai area in the state of Selangor in Malaysia. Data obtained: vehicle no speed vehicle no speed observed (km/h) observed (km/h) 1. 76 2. 104 3. 82 4. 86 5. 56 6. 99 7. 104 8. 74 9. 84 10. 86 11. 68 12. 109 13. 59 14. 86 15. 86 16. 91 17. 79 18. 97 19. 107 20. 78 21. 93 22. 100 23. 66 24. 86 25. 68 26. 69 27. 112 28. 82 29. 94 30. 93

From the table above: Min speed = 56 km/h Max speed = 112 km/h speed range = Max speed Min speed = 112 56 = 56 km/h Table 2 Frequency distribution table for set of speed data speed Class Class percentage class midfrequency observation (width) value () class () 55 60 57.5 2 115 4.466 60 65 62.5 0 0 0 65 70 67.5 4 270 10.485 70 75 72.5 1 72.5 2.815 75 80 77.5 3 232.5 9.029 80 85 82.5 3 247.5 9.611

of accumulative in frequency percentage 4.446 4.466 14.951 17.766 26.795 36.406

(Ui )

1,568 0 1,296 176.89 206.67 32.67

85 90 90 95 95 100 100 105 105 110 110 115

87.5 92.5 97.5 102.5 107.5 112.5

5 4 2 3 2 1 =30

437.5 370 195 307.5 215 112.5

16.990 14.368 7.572 11.941 8.349 4.368 =2,575

53.396 67.764 75.336 75.336 95.626 100

14.45 179.56 23.4 836.67 941.78 712.89 =5,988.98

From the table above: Arithmetic mean = 2,575/30 = 85.8 km/h Standard deviation = 5,988.98/29 = 206 km/h Discussion A typical layout for conducting a spot speed study using a stopwatch. When selecting a location and layout, care must be exercised so that the observer can clearly see any vertical reference posts. The observer should be positioned higher than the study area and be looking down. The position could be on a bridge or a roadway back slope. The observer should use reference points to aid in collecting the elapsed time it takes a vehicle to travel through the study area. The reference point to start timing may be a brightly coloured vertical post. The reference point to end timing may be a tree or a signpost in the observers sight line. An accurate sketch of the site should be documented, including number of lanes, position of observer, and description of reference points.

CONCLUSIONS Field traffic studies strengthened the traffic theories presented in the class room. Spot speed study and intersection analysis and signal assessment helped students gain the following benefits: Spot speed study and intersection analysis and signal assessment field study implementations, familiarity with standard procedures and standard forms, data presentation techniques, data analysis, field experience and applications, group work, professional presentation skills, interpretations of results, and professional software implementation. Students presented their suggested solutions to improve the studies intersections such as signal timing modifications, intersection widening, geometric adjustments, and realignments. This paper described the minimum requirements for establishing the aforementioned studies and intended objectives. Future plans are to develop an additional three-hour laboratory to accompany the transportation engineering class. The laboratory will include additional studies and projects that will embrace the transportation material taught in the classroom environment..

Abu-Bakrs comment . Classically, the Transportation Engineering course has been taught in the classroom through a format consisting only of lectures, homework, and exams. Transportation engineering course material

includes many traffic studies that require field work to comprehend. A need for having a hands-on experience in this class was found necessary. This paper describes the great value of field work to the students by implementing hands on transportation field projects. The projects we adopted were, (1) spot speed study. Improvements of the course were significantly recognized by the following aspects. As we students practiced group work, used standard and specialized reporting, improved reporting skills, and experienced self evaluation. This report explains how the afore mentioned improvements took place and includes samples of our work.

Hago Comment: I have really enjoyed doing this project since it is the the line of work I want to specialize in it. I found this project a really good experience (except for the hot sun). as for the practical part of the project, I would have rather to use more advanced apparatus than the stop watch and the meter such as the radar gun, it would has been easier. and as for the rest of my teammates, they were very cooperative and organized which helped finishing the project earlier than we thought. Ibrahim Comment This project was a very enjoyable one. I have always thought of it as a good experience a one can have in this sector of civil engineering rather than just an assignment we just need to do and submit. I think my team was the most organized and cooperative team; we finished the project faster than the other teams. We used primitive equipments considering the ones used by our senior (radar gun); sure they were more difficult considering the calculations done for each car, but in general I like practical works than theories; thats why I think project was the most exciting one since I started my degree

Fadhl Ali Comment

1.The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate to students how to conduct a spot speed study to model and evaluate traffic flow in a local area 2.In this lab, wel collected and analyzed speed data associated with a specific location on Road 3.During the lab We needed a stopwatch in order to time vehicles as they pass through ameasured length of road 4.It is important that everyone stay back from the road and remain reasonably inconspicuous to keep from affecting traffic speeds, and to decrease the risk of an accident 5.we got experience from this lab , we knew how to rocord number of car passing and how to calcualted and recorded to table. Also during our lab we faced some problems, we did not got the safety equipment and some other equipmend , and also during the lab the weather was so hot.

REFERENCES

Transportation Engineering (KAS 4172) lecture notes

Currin, Thomas R., Introduction to traffic engineering, a manual for data collection and analysis, Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, CA, 2001. http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com

http://www.popcenter.org/learning/speeding.html http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/traffichandbook/