SPOT SPEED STUDY ON SELECTED ROADS IN YENAGOA.

A CASE STUDY

OF

TOMBIA ROAD, BERGER ROAD AND MELFORD OKILO EXPRESS WAY.

Final Project Report

in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

by:

KENI MIESEFA PATRICK

Matriculation Number: FUO/16/CVE/2500

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE, BAYELSA STATE.

JANUARY , 2022
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Traffic Engineering is that phase of transportation engineering which deals with the planning,

geometric design and traffic operations of roads, streets, and highways, their networks, terminals,

abutting lands, and relation with other mode of transportation (Diyar N. Al- Talabani, 2017).

Speed is an essential measurement to assess security of the street and to organize movement of

vehicles on the roads. Speed is likewise a critical transportation parameter in light of the fact that

other than wellbeing, it identifies with time, solace, comfort, and financial aspects. As indicated

by Currin (2001), rapid conveys high hazard, while low speed is moderately protected. The plan

speed ought to be made relying upon the sheltered speed point of confinement of the street.

Speed is one of the activity operational components that ought to be considered in the outline of

the street geometrics. So therefore, spot speed studies are conducted to estimate the distribution

of speed of vehicles in a stream of traffic at a particular location on a highway (Diyar N. Al-

Talabani, 2017).

Despite the huge benefits of highway transportation, it is not without some negative

externalities, some of which include congestion, noise and air pollution, delay, crashes,

etc. Traffic engineers and transport planners need information about road traffic to be

able to develop solutions for these problems and propose operational framework for

efficient and sustainable transport systems development, hence the need for traffic studies

which is a systematic way of collecting data and analysis to be used for the various

traffic engineering activities. Among the various traffic studies that are conducted by
traffic engineers to evaluate current road traffic conditions and develop solutions is the

spot speed study, the purpose of which is to estimate the distribution of speeds of

vehicles in a stream of traffic at a particular location on a highway (Garber and Hoel,

2009).

Spot speed studies could also be used for measuring the compliance of drivers with the

posted speed limits; check the conformity of speed data with normal distribution, and for

development of simulation programs (Hashim, 2011). Other uses of spot speed data

include to determine traffic signal timing, evaluate roadway capacity and the effectiveness

of road improvements strategies (Manual on Uniform Traffic Studies, 2014). Thus, a

boost in administrative, commercial and recreation activities in a city requires the

understanding of vehicular speed characteristics for the development of efficient,

sustainable and enhanced performance of transport systems for sustainable development of

cities (Sheehan, 2010). Considering these numerous applications of spot speed data and

the fact that they are essential for the design and operation of highways, the need for

speed studies cannot be over-emphasized. Where speed data are not readily available at

the town or local government council, or private transport management organisations, as

is the case for roadways in many Nigerian cities, speed-related decisions cannot be

reasonably made. This paper presents the findings of a study that was conducted to

examine vehicular traffic spot speeds on three different roads; Melford Okilo Expressway ,

Berger road and Tombia road

The objectives of the study were to: measure and record the spot speed of vehicles on a

selected roads in yenagoa town; determine the speed characteristics of vehicles in yenagoa

based on its present vehicular traffic volume and composition and check the conformity

of speed data with normal distribution; and to propose a reasonable and safe range of

speed limits that could be applicable to most road segments in the three selected roads in

yenagoa.

Hence, this project report give a vivid and comprehensive explanation on how the survey was

carried out in other to obtain the data's which were use to estimate the spot speed and to give

some necessary suggestion which help the road construction Engineers in case, if geometric road

design and other road activity are to be carried out. This in all will help to checkmate the

behaviour of road users so as to avoid accident and to reduce congestion.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

In present scenario due to heavy traffic volume, the existing roads are insufficient to maintain the

design speed. With the help of spot speed studies we can manage the traffic volume by diversion

or by designing signal cycle time. Also, due to congested roads at peak hours, Public faces

speeding problems, and many vehicles using same road .This may also lead traffic jams,

accidents, bad traffic management etc. Travel time plays key role in city’s life and it indicates the

level of service of roadway network performance. From mobility point of view travel time

reflects degree of convenience from one point to the other point.

1.3 SCOPE OF STUDY AND LIMITATIONS

 1.3.1 SCOPE OF STUDY

Spot speed studies are coordinated to assess the movement rates of vehicles in a surge of activity

at a particular region on a roadway. The proposed look into work goes for breaking down the

modular speed of vehicles, highway outline component ,upper and lower speed restrain for

regulation, planning and analysis , traffic operation –control and direction. The scope of spot

speed survey encompasses all the terms, parameters measured, method of survey and instrument

used during survey. To complete the current experiment of transportation engineering, I

have conducted spot speed survey. Below is the scopes of spot speed;

i. Spot speed studies are conducted to estimate the distribution of speeds of vehicles in

a stream of traffic at a particular location on a highway and are used for Establishing

the effectiveness of new or existing speed limits and/or enforcement practices.

ii. Establishing trends to assess the effectiveness of national policy on speed limits and

enforcement

iii. Specific design applications (like sight distance, breaking distance, passing distance

etc.)

iv. Specific control applications (yellow/all red timing – the size of dilemma zone

depends on speed) .

v. Investigation of high-accident locations at which speed is suspected to be a causative

factor .

1.3.2 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

A lot of challenges can be encountered during spot speed study, such challenges may arise from

environmental factors. This environmental factors can lead to obtaining wrong data. Obtaining
wrong data during the survey definitely will lead to wrong output; which when applied, may not

satisfy the notion or the intended purpose. Such environmental factors which may limit the

success and accuracy of spot speed are as follows;

i. Climatic conditions (rainy weather)

ii. Festivity and customs of the people.

The spot speeds are also affected by physical features of the road like ;

i. Pavement width.

ii. Curve sight distance.

iii. Gradient.

iv. Pavements unevenness.

v. Intersections and road side developments.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH

At the end of this research, the data's obtained will be used for geometrical road design like

horizontal and vertical curves, super elevation etc. Location and size of signs, design of signals,

safe speed, and speed zone determination, require the spot speed data. Accident analysis, road

maintenance, and congestion are the modern fields of traffic engineer, which uses spot speed

data as the basic input. Spot speed can be measured using an enoscope, pressure contact tubes or
direct timing procedure or radar speedometer or by time-lapse photographic methods. It can be

determined by speeds extracted from video images by recording the distance travelling by all

vehicles between a particular pair of frames.

1.5 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to figure out if complaints about speeding in the study location are

valid and finally preparing the draft for the planning of geometric alignment and also

building the speed zone for the safety of road users based on the spot speed data.

1.5.1 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The essence of conducting a spot speed survey is as follows:

i. To determine the speed at which vehicles operate on a give road having a known

baselength.

ii. To determine possible cause of accident so as to ensure safety of road users.

iii. To establish speed limit in a school zone near the above mentioned roads in Yenagoa

iv. To recommend Zebra crossing or pedestrian signal if necessary.

1.6 METHODOLOGY

There are various methods to measure spot speed of vehicles in a traffic stream, in which first

two are manual methods and other are automatic. Some of these methods are as follows:

i. Stopwatch method
 ii. Radar meter method(Doppler-principles meter

iii. Pneumatic tube method( pressure contact tube)

iv. Electronic principle detector (Photography method)

v. Though it should be noted that only stopwatch method was used during this study.

1.6.1 STOPWATCH METHOD

In this method, markings of pavement are placed across the road at each end of trap. Observer

start and stops the watch as vehicle passes lines. In this method, minimum two observers

required to collect the data, of which one is standing at the starting point to start and stop the stop

watch and other one is standing at end point to give indication to stop the watch when vehicle

passes the end line.

 Advantage of this method is that after the initial installation no set-up time is required,

markings are easily renewed.

 Disadvantages of this method are that substantial error can be introduced, and magnitude of

error may change for substitute studies. This method is only applicable for low traffic

conditions.

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.

1.6.2 DOPPLER-PRINCIPLE METERS (RADAR)

This radar meters are frequently used for measurement of spot speed. It measures speed directly

by measuring the difference in the frequency between the emitted and reflected radar wave
emitted on an oncoming vehicle. It is radar meter which is targeted to a vehicle, so the wave, the

frequency between the emitted and reflected wave that the difference is used to calculate the

speed. This is normally referred as Doppler Effect. Dynamometer actually works based on the

principle of Doppler Effect, which justifies the difference in frequency is proportional to the

speed of oncoming vehicle. Using this principle the instrument is programmed to calculate the

speed of the vehicle. This is recent advancement in speed studies; it automatically records speed,

and employs a radar transmitter-receiver unit. The apparatus transmits high frequency

electromagnetic waves as a narrow beam towards the moving vehicle, the beam changes its

frequency depending up on the vehicle’s speed and is returned to the receiver unit. Upon

calibration spot speed of the vehicle is obtained. Though these meters are widely used by

engineers, traffic polices and others these have certain practical limitations. They are;

• In some situations there is a possibility of recording wrong input like when a test sample is

obstructed by other vehicles, the triggered radar beam bounds back by hitting the obstacle but not

the test sample.

• Accurate measurements from radar meter are obtained only when the radar wave is reflected

directly along the axis of the movement. But in some cases it is practically difficult.

Fig 1.6.2: RADAR

1.6.3 PNEUMATIC TUBE METHOD (PRESSURE CONTACT TUBE)

The pressure contact strips, either pneumatic or electric, are used to indicate the time of entering

and leaving the base length. When a vehicle passes over the tube laid at the first reference point,

an air impulse is sent, which activates an electromagnetically controlled stop-watch in the hands

of the observer. When the vehicle passes over the second tube, the stop watch automatically

stops. Then the reading is noted by the observer or is auto saved into computer.

Advantages: The risk of human error is reduced, and parallax error can be avoided completely.

This is the best method over short distance. It gives quite relevant data and if it is connected

through graphical recorder then it gives continuous data automatically.

Disadvantage: Pressure contact tubes are easily sensed by the drivers which may affect their

behavior.

Fig 1.6.3: Pneumatic tube method

1.6.4 ELECTRONIC-PRINCIPLE DETECTORS

Also known as photographic method. In this method a camera records the distance moved by a

vehicle in a selected short time. In this exposure of photograph should be in a constant time

interval and the distance travelled by the vehicle is measured by projecting the films during the

exposure interval. The main advantage of method is that, it gives a permanent record with 100%

sample obtained. This method is quite expensive and generally adopted in a situation where

evidence is required. Even video recorder can be used which give more accurate result.

Fig 1.6.4: Photography method.

We adopted stop watch method considering the advantages and adaptability of the method. The

detailed experimental procedure followed will be discussed more vividly in the subsequent

chapter (chapter three).

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

The functional effectiveness of a highway is measured in terms of its ability to assist and

accommodate the flow of vehicles with both safety and efficiency. In order to measure its level

of effectiveness, certain parameters associated with the highway must be measured and analysed

(Martin Rogers 2003). Generally, the factors affecting the safety of maintenance operation area

are related to driving behavior, operation area characteristics, traffic composition and speed limit

(School of Automobile and Traffic Engineering 2013). Garber and Zhao found that high

speed difference and high speed variance were the main causes of traffic accidents.

The idea of doing this project is because of the traffic problem that every city is facing today in

Nigeria. Hence, in order to curtail this problem, I was assigned to take up one problem as my

final year project, as relates to my discipline; Highway Engineering. The project which is based

on spot speed survey was carried out in the city of Yenagoa in Bayelsa state. By carrying out the

necessary survey on spot speed study, on any selected road of my choice, I'm to find out a

solution to the challenges while transporting on these roads. These solutions have to be feasible,

economic, and easily adoptable. The one problem that captured my attention the most is
frequently occurring traffic congestion at the three selected roads at regular basis. The Federal

Highway Administration defines traffic congestion as ‘‘the level at which transportation system

performance is no longer acceptable due to traffic interference.’’ They also state that ‘‘the level

of system performance may vary by type of transportation facility, geographic location

(metropolitan area or sub-area, rural area), and/or time of the day (Samuel Morgan, 2018).

Causes for this traffic congestion may be due to in-adequate roads, heavy traffic volume, in-

efficient signal system, bad traffic management, etc. Since school premises comes under a

separate speed zones, many precautions need to be taken near a school, like establishing speed

limit, and precautionary zone, zebra crossing, and providing pedestrian signal if necessary.

The study may be divided into four parts as follows:-

i. Determining spot speed of vehicles near a school zone and to recommend changes to the

existing system

ii. To conduct speed delay time survey over a stretch, study all features of the stretch and

recommend necessary changes that can be adopted to solve the delay problem.

iii. Traffic survey.

iv. Traffic speed study.

2.2 DETERMINING OF SPOT SPEED OF VEHICLE AT MELFORD OKILO EXPRESS

WAY, LEADING TO POTTER'S TOUCH HIGH SCHOOL.

2.2.1 EXISTING SYSTEM

As a part of establishing speed zone in a school premises, I chose a school located at Berger road

close to Ekeki Park. It was observed that the school does not have any speed limit or a zebra

crossing, so we decided to conduct a spot speed survey near the school premises.

Coming to the features of the stretch, Potter's Touch High school. it is located on Berger road

between hospital junction and court road. ,It is exactly located at No. 41, KM 2, Melford Okilo

Expressway, Igbogene, Yenagoa

2.2.2 DISADVANTAGES OF EXISTING SYSTEM

The school is directly connected to National Highway. Vehicles travel at very high speed on a

highway which may range from 60-80 KMPH. This is an example for bad indication or bad

signaling. There are no precautionary signs like school zone or speed limit or zebra crossing. The

high speed vehicles sometimes may not notice the road crossing public, leading to accidents. To

improvise the existing system, survey need to be conducted

2.2.3 PROPOSED SYSTEM

The proposed system or mechanism will overcome the disadvantages of existing system. Firstly

various study aspects are noticed, required primary data is collected, and the collected is

analyzed. Then the experimentation is done keeping all the study aspects in mind. The
experimentation results are analyzed and an appropriate solution is recommended to the existing

system. In this case, the recommendation may be on traffic signaling or establishing speed limits.

2.3 SPEED DELAY TIME SURVEY

2.3.1 EXISTING SYSTEM

A stretch of 8.4 KM that is from kpansia market to Tombia round about was considered. The

features of this road are

 3 line road on both the sides.

 Tar bitumen road.

 As it is a National Highway passing through one of the major business centers of the city,

Heavy traffic is observed.

 All kinds of vehicles like Buses, Cars, Lorries, and Tricycles use the road.

 Six traffic signals should be crossed to reach the destination, among which three have

free left facility.

 Peak hours – 08:00 AM to 10:00 AM & 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

Due to high traffic volume, a part of the stretch from Kpansia market to Tombia round about

faces severe traffic jam during peak hours and mostly, while coming closer to Tombia round-

about, passengers faces long stop time due insufficient roads.

2.3.2 DISADVANTAGES OF EXISTING SYSTEM

 The two lane road is insufficient for the traffic during peak hours near Mike okporo road,

Tombia road , Berger road, and at Isaac Adaka borough express way.

 Some passengers violate the rules; this may lead to traffic inconvenience.
  At some places the road is damaged and not well maintained, this may lead to reduction

in average traffic flow velocity.

 HMR works are going on along the stretch length; this is causing inconvenience to the

travelers.

2.4 TRAFFIC SURVEY

Traffic engineers and planners need information about traffic. They need information to

design and manage road and traffic system. They use the information for planning and

designing traffic facilities, selecting geometric standards, economic analysis and

determination of priorities. They use this to justify warrant of traffic control devices such

as signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, school and pedestrian crossings. The also use

this information to study the effectiveness of introduced schemes, diagnosing given

situations and finding appropriate solutions, forecasting the effects of projected strategies,

calibrating and validating traffic models.

Once a transportation plan has been finalised and the demand along each of its highway links

has been established, a process must be put in place that helps identify the best solution for each

individual proposal within the highway network. Each project must therefore be subject to an

appraisal (Martin Rogers, 2003). Transportation system is a dynamic system. Information

about traffic must be regularly updated to keep pace with ever-changing transportation

system. Data must be collected and analyzed systematically to get representative information.

Traffic surveys are the means of obtaining information about traffic. This is a systematic

way of collecting data to be used for various traffic engineering purposes.

2.4.1 MAIN PURPOSES OF TRAFFIC SURVEY:

The main purposes of traffic survey are: traffic monitoring, traffic control and

management, traffic enforcement, traffic forecasting, model calibration and validating etc.

2.4.2 PARTS OF TRAFFIC STUDIES:

Traffic studies include:

 Inventory of road traffic physical features .

 Traffic stream characteristics- volume, speed, density, occupancy studies etc.

 Capacity studies of streets and intersections.

 System usage studies- Travel time and delay, O-D survey

 Travel demand- home interview survey

 Road users cost- Value of travel time, vehicle operating cost.

 Parking supply & deman

 Axle load survey

 Mass transit performance and usage studies

 Traffic accidents studies

 Environmental impact studies of transport

2.5 TRAFFIC SPEED STUDY

Traffic speed data are needed in research, planning, designing and regulation phases of

traffic engineering and are also used in establishing priorities and schedules of traffic

improvements. The traffic engineer must acquire general knowledge of traffic speeds in

order to set different limits, setting different distances i.e. passing sight distance, stopping

sight distance etc.

 CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHOD USED

3.1 MATERIALS TO BE USE

i. Materials used during this survey process includes:-

ii. 100 meter tape :-for measuring the baselength.

iii. Chalk and paints:- for marking start and finish line on the road

iv. Stopwatch:- for recording the time

v. Writing materials:- Pen and papers for writing down the time.

3.2 METHOD TO BE USE

During this survey, the method which was use for data collection was direct timing method (stop

watch method). During the survey, a stop watch is used to record the time( in seconds) it takes a

vehicle to move from the beginning of a marked road section to the end mark. A base length 80

meters was used for each spot speed survey at each section of the three selected roads. Below are

detailed explanations of stopwatch method as used during the survey:

3.2.1 KEY STEPS TO SPOT SPEED STUDY

A stopwatch spot speed study includes five key steps, and they are as follows

i. Obtain appropriate study length.

ii. Select proper location and layout.

iii. Record observations on stopwatch spot speed study data form.

iv. Calculate vehicle speeds.

v. Generate frequency distribution table and determine speed percentiles.

vi. Obtain Appropriate Study Length .

The study length is important because it is used in the calculation of vehicle speeds. Table 4.2

provides recommended study lengths, which are based on the average speed of the traffic stream.

Using these recommended study lengths makes speed calculations straightforward and less

confusing. If these lengths are not appropriate, another length can be used assuming it is long

enough for reliable observer reaction times.

3.3 PROCEDURE

The following are the procedures which was observed and followed during stopwatch method:
 i. First of all, a given base length ( length of road section) according to table will be

measured out with tape

ii. Then the measured base length is makers out using chalk or paint.

iii. Minimum of two observers are positioned, one at each end of the road standing at the

pedestrian path, where the mark was made (though during the field experiments, we used

4 observer, two at each end to avoid error)

iv. The first observer signals the second observer when a vehicle crosses the start line, the

second observer who is with a stopwatch at the other end of the road, in response, start

the stopwatch once signal is received and quickly stops it once the vehicle crosses the end

mark (2nd mark)

v. Finally, the time on the stop watch is tabulated on paper, and the procedures repeated for

more( like 100) vehicles

Fig 3.1 Stopwatch method
 f

Fig 3.2 Google map view of Milford Okilo Express way, leading to Potter's Touch High

school.
3.4 STATISTICS AND MATHEMATICAL MODEL EQUATIONS USED ARE AS

FOLLOWS:-

3.4.1 DEFINITION OF SPEED:

In simple words, speed is defined as the distance travelled in a unit time. Speed is

expressed in m/s, fps, kmph etc. units.

Mathematically, Speed is given by:

V = S/T.................................................................................................. (3.1)

V = ds/dt................................................................................................... (3.2)

Where, S = Distance (in mile or meter or feet)

T = Time (second or hour)

ds = Change in distance

dt = Change in time

Eq (3.1) will give the average speed, while Eq ( 3.2) gives the Instateneous speed at a give point

on the road. Speed can also be acquired Graphically by plotting distance(base length) of a road

section covered by vehicles(ordinate values) against time interval ( abscissa) used. From such

graph the speed ( velocities) can be calculated by finding the value of the slope.
 Space mean speed

Vs = ......................................................(3.3)

Vs = Average speed

L = length of the highway segment

T1 = Travel time of the vehicle

n = number of travel time observed

 Time Mean Speed

Vt = ............................................................(3.4)

Vt = Average speed

n = number of travel time observed

 Variance(ơ2)

Ơ2 = √( Ʃ fd2/Ʃ fx) ................................................................(3.5)

f = frequency

d = deviation

x = speed mark

 Standard deviation (ơ)

 Ơ = Ʃ fd2/Ʃ fx ...............................................................................(3.6)

f = frequency

d = deviation

x = speed class

Reference