LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

TITLE: SPOT SPEED STUDY (RADAR GUN)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are
guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the
students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hope to slowly
introduced and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a
much harder task of open ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory activity, students are required to conduct a spot speed study (using radar
gun & manual determination), by recording the speeds of sample of vehicles at a specified
location in order to estimate the distribution of speeds of vehicles. Students are encouraged
to develop their critical analysis skills by analysing and presenting the experimental results
appropriately.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the test are:

a) To establish the speed distribution of a traffic stream at a specific site or called as

basic speed data
b) To determine vehicle speed percentiles via speed trend analysis, which are useful in
speed related decision making.

3.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the laboratory session, students should be able:

a) Determine speed trends of vehicles by systematic continuous speed studies using

radar gun.
b) Analyse and assess speed as causal factor to crashes, investigate speed parameter
in respect to traffic operation and control like speed limit, speed zones and the limits
of no passing zone.

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

4.0 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 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.

Study duration of one hour or a sample size of at least 100 vehicles. The radar gun is
position according to procedure specified in the user manual.

5.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Over speeding is one of the major causes of road accidents in Malaysia. Speed limits are
implemented to prevent over speeding of vehicles. To determine whether the drivers of
vehicles comply with the speed limit, spot speed studies are carried out to determine the
speed of vehicles operating on the road.

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

6.0 WAYS AND MEANS

6.1 APPARATUS

1. Radar gun

Figure 1: Radar gun

2. Measuring wheel

Figure 2: Measuring wheel

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

6.2 PROCEDURE

a. Pens or pencils, radar meter spot speed study data forms and clipboards,
radar speed meters that are in good condition, are prepared.

b. Our study location is decided and selected the site in front of Pejabat
Bendahari with STRAIGHT AND LEVEL road section that represents different
traffic conditions.

c. We had arrived 30 minutes earlier at site in order to familiarize with it prior to

select strategic location. The equipment is distributed, general information of
the spot speed data recording forms that comprise the observer's name, time
and date of study, name of site, posted speed limit and weather condition are
filled and began at the planned time.

d. The layout of the study area is sketched with the description of chosen
reference points, position of observation, number of lanes and road class

e. We alerted enumerators, the radar unit and the station for speed data
collection to make sure that it should be inconspicuous where possible so that
vehicular speeds are significantly not effected by the data collection activities

f. The samples are selected randomly, and recorded a speed reading for every
third vehicle and every fifth vehicle.

g. The radar meter directed a line with oncoming traffic as possible, to make it as
close to the roadway as possible (an exception when the vehicles selected
and radar unit tends to affect vehicle speeds considerably)

h. The vehicle speeds are observed for 100 samples.

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LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

Figure 3: Location of study

Figure 4: Layout of study area

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

7.0 DATA ACQUISITION

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

Cumulative
Speed No. of Percentage
Mean percentage
class frequency, fv fv2 of frequency
speed, v of frequency
(km/h) f (%)
(%)

0 – 9.9 4.95 0 0 0 0 0
10 –
14.95 0 0 0 0 0
19.9
20 –
24.95 4 99.8 2490.01 4 4
29.9
30 –
34.95 48 1677.6 58632.12 48 52
39.9
40 –
44.95 45 2022.75 90922.61 45 97
49.9
50 –
54.95 3 164.85 9058.51 3 100
59.9
TOTAL 100 3965 161103.25 100

Table 1: Data

FREQUENCY HISTOGRAM
60

50

40
NO. OF FREQUENCY

30

20

10

0
4.95 14.95 24.95 34.95 44.95 54.95
MEAN SPEED, V

Graph 1: Frequency Histogram

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION CURVE

60

50
PERCENTAGE OF FREQUENCY, %

40

30

20

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
MIDDLE SPEED, V

Graph 2: Frequency Distribution Curve

A CUMMULATIVE FREQUENCY CURVE

120
P95 = 44.5 km/hr
CUMMULATIVE PERCENTAGE OF FREQUENCY, %

100
P85 = 42.2 km//hr

80

P50 = 34.5 km//hr

60

40
P15 = 28.3 km/hr

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
MEAN SPEED, V

Graph 3: A cummulative Frequency Curve

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

Speed percentile for 15th, 85th, and 95th

 Speed percentile 15th = 28.3 km/hr

 Speed percentile 85th = 34.5 km/hr
 Speed percentile 95th = 44.5 km/hr

DATA ANALYSIS

I. ARITHMETIC MEAN SPEED

v=
∑ fv
n
3965
= 100
= 39.65 km/hr

II. MEDIAN SPEED

P50= 34.5 km/hr

III. MODAL SPEED

= 34.95 km/hr for 48 vehicles

IV. STANDARD DEVIATION

∑ ( fv 2) −( ∑ fv )2
SD =
√ f f

161103.25 3965 2
=
√ 100
−(
100
)

= 6.24 km/hr

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

V. STANDARD ERROR

Standard error = (SD/TOTAL FREQUENCY^1/2)

= 6.24/(100^1/2)
= 0.624

Adequacy of data for 95% confident significant level

95% mean +/- 1.96 SD

= 39.65 +/- 1.96(0.624)
= 38.42 km/hr to 40.87 km/hr

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

8.0 DISCUSSION

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 are used to determine
vehicle speed percentiles which are useful in making many speed-related decisions.

We had conducted our study along the road in front of Pejabat Bendahari. The study
involved 100 number of data which includes cars, buses, vans, lorry and motorcycles. The
road is straight and no intersection at which the observation can be disturbed. The length of
road is 100metres and we used Radar gun method that using reflected waves. It is very high
frequency is directed from the radar speed meter to the moving vehicle. The waves which is
directly measureable is proportional to the speed at which the vehicle is moving.

Speed characteristics can be found from the significant values during the
observation. From the data collected, the values of average speed, median speed, modal
speed and standard deviation of speed can be calculated. Based on the calculation done,
the arithmetic mean speed which known as average speed that calculated as the sum of all
speeds divided by the number of speed observations is 39.65 km/h. The median speed is
34.5 km/h that can be obtained from the cumulative frequency curve graph which also
known as the 50th-percentile speed.

According to frequency histogram, the modal speed is 34.95 km/hr for 48 vehicles.
The standard deviation has been calculated using its respective formula and found to be ±
6.24 km/h. The adequacy of data for 95% confident significant level found in between 38.42
km/hr to 40.87 km/hr. A graph of frequency distribution curve and cumulative frequency
curve are plotted. From the cumulative frequency curve graph, we obtained 15 th, 85th and
95th percentile which are 28.3 km/hr, 34.5 km/hr and 44.5 km/hr respectively.

There are some errors during the study and we need to aware the
precautions in order to get the accurate data. Firstly, the radar gun should be used to shoot
the vehicle at 30o angle and should not be obvious to the sight of the vehicles'
user. Last but not least, UiTM Shah Alam should set out of safe speed limit to increase safety
and reduce the number of accidents in the campus area.

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 LABORATORY REPORT HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (ECG564)

9.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the highest speed that obtained during this experiment is between 30
km/hr -39.9 km/hr with 48 of 100 vehicles. The average speed in this study is 39.65 km/hr. In
Nilai University, the speed limit is 35km/hr. If this used in UiTM Shah Alam, it can be
concluded that speed is not suitable. After determining the spot speed analysis, following
actions might be considered such as adjust the posted speed limit, increase speeding
enforcement and increase the public awareness.

10.0 REFERENCES

1. Lab manual highway

2. http://ocw.ump.edu.my/pluginfile.php/14957/mod_resource/content/1/chapter
%204.pdf
3. https://zierden3.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/spot-speed-study.pdf

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