Functions of Traffic Engineering Running Speed Vehicular Characteristics: Vehicular characteristics refer to Types of Parking: Parking refers to the

cteristics: Vehicular characteristics refer to Types of Parking: Parking refers to the arrangement of
Traffic engineering is a branch of transportation engineering Running speed is defined as the average speed of a vehicle the physical and mechanical features of vehicles that vehicles when they are not in motion. It plays a major role in
that deals with the planning, design, operation, and while it is actually in motion, excluding the time during influence road design and traffic flow. These characteristics traffic management and affects road capacity. Parking can be
management of traffic on roads to ensure safe, efficient, and which the vehicle is stopped due to traffic signals, are broadly classified into static and dynamic characteristics. broadly classified into on-street parking and off-street
economical movement of people and goods. congestion, or other delays. In simple terms, it is the total Static characteristics include overall length, width, height, parking. On-street parking is provided along the kerb of the
The main functions of traffic engineering are: distance traveled divided by the actual time the vehicle is wheelbase, ground clearance, and turning radius of the road and directly affects traffic movement and road width.
Collection, Analysis and Interpretation of Traffic moving. vehicle, which are important in the design of road width, The common types of on-street parking include parallel
Data: Traffic engineering involves the systematic collection of 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 parking facilities, intersections, and curves. Dynamic parking, angle parking, and perpendicular parking. In parallel
𝑅𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
traffic data such as traffic volume, speed, origin–destination 𝑅𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 characteristics relate to the movement of vehicles and parking, vehicles are parked parallel to the kerb, which
information, parking demand, and accident records using include speed, acceleration, deceleration, braking efficiency, occupies less road width but accommodates fewer vehicles
various survey methods. This data is then analyzed to Running time does not include stoppage time. Running and power performance. These factors affect stopping sight and causes minimum obstruction to traffic flow. In angle
determine peak hour flow, road capacity, level of service, speed is always higher than journey speed because journey distance, overtaking distance, and traffic capacity. Since parking, vehicles are parked at an angle such as 30°, 45°, 60°,
and accident-prone areas. The interpreted results help in speed includes delay time. different vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, and two- or 90° to the kerb, which accommodates more vehicles but
identifying traffic problems and planning suitable Methods of Measurement of Running Speed wheelers have different characteristics, road design standards requires more road width. In perpendicular or right-angle
improvements for safer and more efficient movement. Running speed can be measured by the following methods: must consider these variations to ensure safe and efficient parking, vehicles are parked at 90° to the kerb, providing
Traffic and Transportation Planning: This function deals with 1. Test Vehicle Method traffic movement. maximum parking capacity but creating greater interference
the long-term planning and development of transportation In this method, a test vehicle is driven along a selected road Human Factors Governing Road Users: Human factors refer to traffic movement. Off-street parking is provided away
systems. It includes forecasting future traffic demand, section, and the time taken to travel a known distance to the physical, mental, and psychological characteristics of from the main roadway in separate areas such as parking
planning new roads and highways, improving public (excluding stoppage time) is recorded. Running speed is drivers and pedestrians that influence their behavior on lots, garages, basements, or multilevel parking structures. It
transport systems, and coordinating land use with then calculated using distance divided by running time. This roads. Physical characteristics include vision, hearing ability, does not directly interfere with traffic flow and is more
transportation facilities to reduce congestion and improve method is simple and commonly used for speed studies. reaction time, age, and health condition, which directly affect suitable for busy commercial areas.
connectivity. 2. Moving Observer Method safe driving. Mental characteristics such as intelligence, Ill Effects of Parking: Improper parking, especially on-street
Traffic Design: Traffic design focuses on the geometric and In this method, an observer travels in a test vehicle along judgment, alertness, and emotional stability influence parking, creates several traffic problems. It reduces the
control design of roads and intersections. It includes the the traffic stream and records travel time, delays, and decision-making while driving. Psychological factors like risk- effective width of the road and decreases road capacity,
design of lanes, signals, signs, road markings, parking number of vehicles overtaking or overtaken. From this data, taking attitude, fatigue, stress, and influence of alcohol or leading to congestion and delays. It increases the chances of
layouts, and channelization to ensure safe, comfortable, and running speed and traffic flow characteristics are drugs significantly affect road safety. One of the most accidents due to sudden entry and exit of parked vehicles. It
smooth flow of traffic. determined. This method is useful for both speed and important human factors is perception–reaction time, which also obstructs pedestrian movement and reduces visibility at
Measures for Operation of Traffic: This involves volume studies. is the time taken by a driver to perceive a hazard and respond intersections. Furthermore, improper parking lowers the
implementing various control measures to regulate traffic 3. Automatic Speed Recorder Method to it, and it is considered in highway design for determining average speed of vehicles and reduces the level of service of
movement effectively. Such measures include installation of Electronic devices such as radar guns, loop detectors, or stopping sight distance. Proper understanding of both the road. Frequent stopping and starting of vehicles due to
traffic signals, one-way systems, speed limits, pedestrian GPS-based systems are used to record vehicle speeds vehicular characteristics and human factors is essential for parking activities also contribute to environmental issues
crossings, parking regulations, and other traffic control continuously. These devices measure speed accurately and designing safe and efficient transportation systems. such as noise and air pollution.
devices to reduce congestion and accidents. are useful for large-scale traffic studies. Conclusion: Proper planning and regulation of parking
Traffic Administration: Traffic administration deals with the Conclusion facilities are essential to ensure smooth traffic flow and road
enforcement and management of traffic laws and Running speed represents the average speed of a vehicle safety. The provision of adequate off-street parking and
regulations. It includes issuing driving licenses, vehicle during its actual movement and is an important parameter controlled on-street parking helps in reducing congestion
registration, accident investigation, imposing penalties, and in traffic engineering for evaluating traffic performance and and improving overall transportation efficiency.
conducting public awareness programs to maintain discipline road efficiency.
and safety on roads.

Traffic Volume Study: Traffic volume study is the Spot Speed Study Power Performance of Vehicle: Power performance of a
measurement and analysis of the number of vehicles passing Spot speed is the instantaneous speed of a vehicle at a vehicle refers to its ability to move at a desired speed while
a particular point on a road during a specified period of time. particular location and at a particular instant of time. Spot overcoming various resistances acting against its motion. The
It helps in determining traffic flow characteristics and is one speed studies are conducted to determine the speed engine must generate sufficient tractive effort to overcome
of the fundamental studies in traffic engineering. Traffic characteristics of traffic at a specific point on a roadway. rolling resistance, air resistance, grade resistance, inertia
volume is usually expressed in terms of vehicles per hour, Different types of spot speeds are discussed below: resistance, and transmission losses. The total tractive effort
vehicles per day, or Passenger Car Units (PCU) per hour. 1. Time Mean Speed required is the sum of all these resistances, and the power
Objectives of Traffic Volume Study: The main objectives of Time mean speed is the average of the speeds of all vehicles required is given by the relation Power = Tractive Effort ×
traffic volume study are to determine the number, passing a point during a specified time period. It is calculated Velocity.
composition, and distribution of traffic on a road and to by taking the arithmetic mean of the observed speeds. Rolling Resistance: Rolling resistance is the force that
identify peak hour traffic and Average Daily Traffic (ADT). It is ∑𝑉 opposes the motion of a vehicle due to the contact between
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
also conducted to determine road capacity and level of 𝑛 the tyres and the road surface. It mainly occurs because of
service (LOS), to provide essential data for planning, design, Where: deformation of tyres and slight deformation of the road
and improvement of roads, and to justify the construction of 𝑉 = speed of individual vehicles surface. It depends on factors such as type of road surface,
new roads, widening of existing roads, or installation of 𝑛 = number of vehicles observed tyre pressure, vehicle weight, and speed. Rolling resistance is
traffic control devices. Furthermore, it helps in traffic Time mean speed is generally higher than space mean speed. expressed as Rᵣ = Cᵣ × W, where Rᵣ is rolling resistance, Cᵣ is
forecasting and long-term transportation planning. 2. Space Mean Speed the coefficient of rolling resistance, and W is the weight of
Uses of Traffic Volume Study: Traffic volume data is useful in Space mean speed is the average speed of vehicles occupying the vehicle. Rolling resistance is higher on rough roads and
the design of highways, pavements, and intersections, as a given length of roadway at a particular instant. It is lower on smooth paved surfaces.
well as in the design of traffic signals and road signs. It helps calculated as the harmonic mean of individual vehicle Air Resistance: Air resistance, also called aerodynamic
in determining the need for road widening, construction of speeds. resistance, is the force exerted by air against a moving
𝑛
bypasses, planning of parking facilities, and development of 𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = vehicle. It becomes significant at high speeds and varies with
public transport systems. It is also used in economic analysis ∑(1/𝑉) the square of velocity. It depends on air density, drag
of road projects and in identifying congestion points for It is more accurate for traffic flow analysis and is always less coefficient, frontal area, and speed of the vehicle. It is given
improving traffic management. than time mean speed. by the formula Rₐ = (1/2) ρ C_d A V², where ρ is air
Types of Traffic Volume Measurement: Traffic volume can be 3. Percentile Speed density, C_d is drag coefficient, A is frontal area, and V is
measured by different methods depending on the purpose Percentile speed is the speed below which a certain velocity of the vehicle.
and duration of the study. In the manual method, traffic is percentage of vehicles travel. Grade Resistance: Grade resistance occurs when a vehicle
counted manually by observers using tally sheets or hand Important percentile speeds include: moves on an inclined road surface. It is the component of
counters, and it is suitable for short-duration counts and
small roads. In the automatic method, devices such as • 15th Percentile Speed: 15% of vehicles
the vehicle’s weight acting along the slope. When moving
uphill, additional force is required to overcome this
pneumatic tubes, inductive loop detectors, magnetic travel below this speed. resistance. It is expressed as R_g = W sinθ, and for small
detectors, and infrared sensors are used, and this method is
suitable for long-duration studies and highways. Continuous
• 50th Percentile Speed (Median
angles, it can be approximated as R_g = W × (Gradient/100),
where W is the weight of the vehicle and θ is the angle of
Speed): 50% of vehicles travel below this
counts involve collecting traffic data continuously for 24 inclination.
speed.
hours or several days to determine Average Daily Traffic Inertia Resistance During Acceleration and
(ADT) and Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT). Short period
counts are conducted for limited durations such as one hour,
• 85th Percentile Speed: 85% of vehicles Deceleration: Inertia resistance arises when there is a
change in speed of the vehicle. During acceleration, extra
travel below this speed. It is commonly
four hours, or during peak periods to estimate peak hour used for fixing speed limits. force is required to overcome inertia, and during
volume. deceleration, inertia acts in the forward direction. It is given
• 98th Percentile Speed: Used for design by the formula Rᵢ = (W/g) × a, where W is the weight of the
vehicle, g is acceleration due to gravity, and a is acceleration
considerations.
The 85th percentile speed is the most important in traffic or deceleration.
engineering. Transmission Loss: Transmission loss refers to the loss of
4. Modal Speed power between the engine and the driving wheels due to
Modal speed is the speed that occurs most frequently in the friction in mechanical components such as clutch, gears, and
observed speed distribution. It represents the speed at which differential. Because of these losses, the engine must
maximum number of vehicles are traveling. produce more power than what is delivered to the wheels.
Conclusion Transmission efficiency is given by η = (Power at wheels /
Spot speed studies help in determining speed characteristics, Power at engine), which indicates how effectively the engine
fixing speed limits, designing geometric features of roads, power is transmitted to the wheels.
and improving traffic safety. Different types of spot speeds
such as time mean speed, space mean speed, percentile
speed, and modal speed are used for various traffic
engineering applications.