Volume 5 Assessment and Preparation of Road Schemes Section 1 Assessment of Road Schemes Ta 11/09 Traffic Surveys by Roadside Interview

DESIGN MANUAL FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES
volume 5 ASSESSMENT AND

PREPARATION OF ROAD
SCHEMES
section 1 ASSESSMENT OF ROAD
SCHEMES
Part 4
TA 11/09
TRAFFIC SURVEYS BY ROADSIDE

INTERVIEW
SUMMARY
Having reliable information about existing journeys

is vital to help inform future transport strategies. This
document provides advice on the procedures and
techniques for obtaining this information safely from
drivers through face-to-face interviews at the roadside.
instructions for use
This Advice Note includes advice on the layout

of roadside interview sites and it should read in
conjunction with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.
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November 2009
design manual for roads and bridges TA 11/09
Volume 5, Section 1,
Part 4
the highways agency
TRANSPORT SCOTLAND
welsh assembly government

llywodraeth cynulliad cymru
the department for regional development

northern ireland
Traffic Surveys by Roadside

Interview
Summary: Having reliable information about existing journeys is vital to help inform future
transport strategies. This document provides advice on the procedures and
techniques for obtaining this information safely from drivers through face-to-face
interviews at the roadside.
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Part 4 TA 11/09 Registration of Amendments
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DESIGN MANUAL FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES
volume 5 ASSESSMENT AND

PREPARATION OF ROAD
SCHEMES
section 1 ASSESSMENT OF ROAD
SCHEMES
Part 4
TA 11/09
TRAFFIC SURVEYS BY ROADSIDE

INTERVIEW
Contents
Chapter
1. Introduction
2. Survey Planning
3. Interview Site Locations and Layouts
4. Staffing and Site Operation
5. Contingency Planning
6. Alternative Survey Methods
7. Sampling and Address Coding
8. References
9. Enquiries
Annexes
Annex 1 Definitions used in Roadside Interview

Surveys
Annex 2 Legal Framework for England
Annex 3 Example Press Release
Annex 4 Signing Principles and Typical Site Layouts
Annex 5 Example Traffic Count and Interview Forms
Annex 6 Example leaflet
Annex 7 Managing Congestion
Annex 8 Sampling
November 2009
Volume 5 Section 1 Chapter 1
Part 4 TA 11/09 Introduction
1. introduction
General 1.7 This Advice Note contains information on

legal issues in relation to RSIs in England (Annex 2).
1.1 Decisions about future transport strategy rely However, the legal situation should always be reviewed
upon good information about the journeys currently before proposals are finalised because of the possibility
being made by travellers. The roadside interview (RSI) of changes to legislation and case law.
process is disruptive and has inherent, manageable
risks. Safety to the staff involved and the general Scope
travelling public can be mitigated and data integrity
improved by following the advice in this document. 1.8 This Advice Note provides information on
Thorough planning of work is essential for success. procedures, site layouts and techniques for conducting
Those commissioning studies involving RSI should RSIs.
always consider very carefully the value of the data
and alternative methods of collection first. However, Implementation
for drivers this information is usually best obtained
by conducting surveys that involve stopping and 1.9 This Advice Note should be used forthwith.
questioning drivers at the roadside.
1.2 The purpose of this Advice Note is to provide

up-to-date guidance on undertaking a roadside interview
survey. These can be in the form of questions asked
in person at the roadside or through the distribution of
postcards.
1.3 The main terms used in this document are

explained in Annex 1.
1.4 This Advice Note should be read in conjunction

with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Volume
12, Section 2, Part 1; The Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter
8 and the Traffic Signs Regulations and General
Directions (TSRGD) 2002 and in Northern Ireland, The
Traffic Signs Regulations (NI) 1997.
Survey Priorities
1.5 The overriding priority at any RSI is to ensure the

safety of those undertaking the survey and the travelling
public. The police are an integral part of this exercise
as only police constables, or additionally traffic officers
in England and Wales, in uniform have the powers to
regulate and direct traffic to a census point.
1.6 Following safety, effective site management is

the key to maintaining the co-operation of the travelling
public. This ensures that the correct balance is struck
between the need to collect good quality information,
using well-trained staff, and the need to minimise delays
to traffic.
November 2009 1/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 Survey Planning
2. SURVEY PLANNING
Existing Information will be sought. The main focus for officers providing
a special police service should be to direct traffic
2.1 RSIs are expensive and the information is time at the survey site. Individual police forces may have
consuming to collect. Wherever possible, existing slightly different requirements and charges will vary.
information should be used if it is of a suitable age Consultation with the appropriate police force or Traffic
and quality. Officer Service should start as early as possible in the
programme.
2.2 To assist, the Department for Transport (DfT)
has developed a National Origin-Destination Transport Local Highway Authority
Survey Databank which can be reached using the
Transport Planning links on the DfTs Transport 2.7 The approval of the local highway authority is
Analysis Guidance (TAG) website required before operating a site on their road. If the use
http://www.dft.gov.uk/webtag/ of bus lanes is required it may be required to consult
local bus companies and/or public transport authorities.
2.3 The locations of RSIs, home interview surveys
and public transport surveys are shown on a map base Householders/Businesses
together with dates and contact details. To ensure the
databank is kept up to date, organisations are invited 2.8 Householders and businesses may be affected
to submit details of new surveys using questionnaires when interviewing is in progress and, for safety and
provided. operational reasons, there may be a need to restrict
vehicle access into private driveways and limit on-street
Duplication of Effort parking. Personal visits are encouraged to explain the
proposals, rather than leaflets or telephone calls. Any
2.4 Before undertaking new RSIs, checks should issues of concern can then be addressed. Blocking
be made with other relevant organisations to avoid vehicle access into private property should be as a last
duplication of effort. Otherwise the travelling public resort only where possible the location of the RSI
may be delayed unnecessarily and significant abortive should be such that these restrictions will not be needed.
costs incurred. Where traffic orders are required
additional time will be needed. This can be required Publicity
for temporary parking control suspension and to enable
temporary use of bus lanes. 2.9 Experience has shown that most drivers will
co-operate when called for interview. However, good
Consultations with Others communication before and during the surveys helps to
encourage and maintain good public relations.
General
Advance Publicity
2.5 Consultations should begin at least six weeks
before the RSIs are planned to start to enable any 2.10 An announcement is normally made in advance,
necessary agreements to be reached. To promote more possibly in the form of a press release, to inform the
effective working, it is recommended that all parties travelling public about the purpose of a survey (or
involved nominate a single point of contact. programme of surveys) and the benefits the results will
bring.
Police
2.11 Press releases may attract media interest,
2.6 RSI site layouts and manning requirements must particularly from local newspapers and radio stations.
be agreed in advance with the police, or the appropriate These opportunities can be used to further promote
division in the Highways Agency if traffic officers are the surveys and convey important messages about
to be used at the survey site. Police officers employed in safety and the intention to minimise traffic disruption
connection with RSIs are normally providing a special through effective site management. Dates and locations
police service which is chargeable and a contractual of individual sites should not be disclosed otherwise
agreement for the payment of appropriate charges
November 2009 2/1

Chapter 2 Volume 5 Section 1
Survey Planning Part 4 TA 11/09
drivers might divert from their normal routes and

invalidate the survey results.
2.12 The use of mobile telephones has significantly

increased the possibility of drivers reporting site
locations to local radio stations. Editors should be
encouraged not to disclose this information.
2.13 An example press release is shown at Annex 3.
Site Visits
2.14 If requests for site visits are received from the

media, suitable control measures must be put in place
to ensure that the safety of the operatives on site,
the general public and the visitors to the site is not
compromised.
Members of Parliament
2.15 It is courtesy to notify Members of Parliament

(MPs) and Members of Local Assemblies (MLAs) or
equivalent in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in
advance about RSIs that might affect their constituents.
Timing
2.16 Unless specifically designed to do so, surveys

should avoid periods affected by public holidays,
including bank holidays and school holidays.
They should also avoid other local events, such as
conferences, major sporting events or market days,
etc. Normally, surveys should be confined to periods
that reflect typical traffic flow conditions in the area.
The periods generally accepted as most suitable are the
spring and autumn (i.e. April, May, June, September and
October).
Elections
2.17 It is sometimes not possible to undertake surveys

during election campaigns. Restrictions may vary
depending on the type of election, the commissioning
authority and by local highway authority area.
2/2 November 2009

Part 4 TA 11/09 Interview Site Locations and Layouts
3. INTERVIEW SITE LOCATIONS AND LAYOUTS
Locations 3.7 Interview surveys must not be carried out on

the main carriageway of a motorway. If appropriate,
3.1 Interview stations should always be located interviews may be conducted on an entry slip road to a
on the public highway, not on private land. Not only motorway or dual carriageway and a layout illustrating
would it be likely to considerably increase the cost of the signing at a survey site on an entry slip road is
the survey and delay the survey while access rights are included as Plan SV7 in Annex 4. For this option to be
obtained, but potentially remove the legal powers of any adopted, vehicles, particularly heavy goods vehicles,
police/traffic officer controlling traffic for the survey. having stopped at the interview site, must be able to
attain sufficient speed to merge safely with mainline
3.2 Surveys should be located where accident risks, traffic. This should be determined as part of the site-
obstruction and traffic delays are minimised when specific risk assessment.
vehicles are stopped on or near the carriageway. A site
with a by-pass lane is preferred, although for single 3.8 In addition, interview surveys must not be
carriageways this will depend on the availability of a carried out on an exit slip road of a dual carriageway
suitable lay-by or a road width of at least 10m. unless there is no alternative location for conducting
the survey. A survey on an exit slip road will almost
3.3 For safety reasons, and to reduce the risk of inevitably lead to queuing on the main carriageway and
imposing unnecessary delays to drivers using other therefore traffic management on the approach to the site
routes, interview sites should be located well away on the main carriageway should use the principles for
from junctions, although in urban areas this may not be approach signing shown in Plans SV3 to SV6, including
possible. When planning the location of interview sites, adequate warning of queuing traffic ahead.
the presence of bus stops, shop frontages and driveways
etc. should be avoided. Ideally sites should be located 3.9 For studies requiring information about
on a straight and fairly level stretch of road and hills motorway traffic movements only, slip road surveys
with steep gradients should be avoided. avoid imposing unnecessary delays on drivers using the
surrounding local public highway network.
3.4 A clear sight distance to the initial sign warning
of the presence of the survey ahead of up to 500m is 3.10 Arrangements for undertaking survey sites on
desirable in built up areas, and 800m on rural roads, motorway entry slip roads can be more complicated
particularly where traffic speeds are above 50mph. If and time consuming when compared to other roads,
these distances cannot be achieved, then extra safety particularly if temporary traffic regulation orders are
measures, such as more signs, may be agreed with the required. Survey organisers are advised to consult with
police. the highway authority as early as possible in the survey
planning process about their procedures for sanctioning
3.5 On single carriageway roads, Stop/Go working, work on a particular motorway.
that is where all traffic is stopped at the Census Point
and the drivers at the head of the queue are interviewed 3.11 Temporary orders will not be required if a
and the queue of traffic is then released, can be used at motorway slip road site involves only partial closure
locations where it is not possible to provide a by-pass of the carriageway and traffic is allowed to use the
lane. On very narrow roads where traffic in the non- remaining part of the carriageway in the usual way
interview direction may need to be brought to a stop (carriageway is defined as that part of a motorway
by police control or the use of STOP/GO board(s), which is constructed with a surface suitable for the
additional signing will be required. regular passage of vehicular motor traffic along the
motorway).
3.6 Surveys may be conducted on dual carriageway
roads, though the reduction of traffic speed may present 3.12 The Highways Agency is responsible for nearly
difficulty. In such cases it is essential that signing is all of the motorway network and persons requiring
adequate and sufficient warning of the site is given, and authority to work or stop on that network must seek
that vehicles are constrained to a single lane prior to the permission and obtain a motorway pass. Strict controls
sampling line to reduce traffic speed to about 20mph. are applied to the issue of passes.
November 2009 3/1

Interview Site Locations and Layouts Part 4 TA 11/09
Safety Clearances 3.21 The SLOW CENSUS POINT sign to diagram

831, CENSUS STOP if directed sign to diagram
3.13 Survey staff will usually have their backs to 830.1, and also the STOP AT CENSUS POINT sign
passing traffic and the presence of vehicle wing mirrors to diagram 830, can be used only at the approaches
is a particular concern. Therefore, the sideways safety to a site where a driver may be stopped for interview
clearance should always be a minimum of one metre in connection with a traffic survey approved by the
with the edge facing the survey staff clearly marked Secretary of State and, where appropriate, also by the
with low resistance rope or safety tape. The arrangement highway authority and the police. Only a police officer
adopted should be the subject of a site-specific risk or a traffic officer may legally stop or direct traffic at a
assessment. survey site.
3.14 If minimum safety clearances cannot be achieved, 3.22 The diagram 7001 road works sign with the
the operation will need further consideration in terms of Surveying plate variant to diagram 7001.1 is used
its location in order to provide a safe system. for the protection of survey teams working on or very
near the carriageway where the carriageway is not
Site Layouts obstructed.
3.15 Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual gives 3.23 Some local discretion in the application of
guidance to those designing and operating temporary temporary signs may be necessary for optimum safety
traffic management at road works and other temporary and operational efficiency, depending on the traffic flow,
situations, and Chapter 8 should be read in conjunction speeds, type of road and information required on the
with this document. nature of the survey. Surveys may need to be carried out
in conditions where it is not possible or appropriate for
3.16 The nature of the survey work and the limited traffic to be funnelled into a single lane of slow-moving
road space available at selected sites mean that, traffic, or stationary traffic at signals.
generally, it is not possible for the traffic management
layouts at survey sites to conform fully with the 3.24 As part of the design process, the site should
general road works traffic management plans given be checked to ensure that signs can safely be
in Chapter 8. A site-specific risk assessment should accommodated and any necessary vegetation trimming
be undertaken whether or not the temporary traffic is undertaken in advance of the survey.
management at a site conforms with the plans given in
Chapter 8 (see paragraph 3.27). 3.25 Once the signing plan for the interview site has
been designed, it shall be forwarded to the relevant
3.17 Plans showing the signing for survey sites and highway authority for their comments.
the associated principles are included in Annex 4 of
this document. These plans and associated principles 3.26 During the course of the survey, regular checks
supersede those included in Chapter 8: Part 1, Design, should be made of the approach signing and coning to
Section D3.26. ensure that they remain fully effective. These checks
should be recorded in the site diary.
3.18 The decision whether to conduct interviews from
the nearside or offside should be based on a site-specific Site-Specific Risk Assessment
risk assessment. Examples of both options are shown in
the plans in Annex 4. 3.27 All survey sites present an obstruction on the
highway and it is essential that they are subject to a site-
3.19 All the signs used at interview sites must conform specific risk assessment.
to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions
(the Regulations) or they must be specifically Traffic Flows
authorised. Authorisations and approvals, where
required, need to be procured through the highway 3.28 Guidance on traffic flows is given in Chapter 8,
authority. for example, Section D3.4 gives information on the
maximum throughput at a site before queuing is likely
3.20 The other danger ahead sign to diagram 562 to develop.
and Census plate to diagram 563 warn of a traffic
census or survey at which roadside interviews are being
conducted.
3/2 November 2009

Part 4 TA 11/09 Interview Site Locations and Layouts
Traffic Queues to the national speed limit, a temporary mandatory

speed limit of 40mph is recommended. Examples of
3.29 Managing congestion is dealt with in Annex 7. the siting of speed limit signing for the imposition of
It is recommended that, as part of the survey design a mandatory temporary speed limit on single and dual
process, comprehensive traffic data is obtained to carriageway roads are shown in the plans in Annex 4.
calculate the impact of the survey on traffic at the site
and to enable a prediction of queue lengths. The design 3.36 A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order needs to
should minimise such queuing and delay to traffic. See be obtained if a mandatory speed limit is to be imposed
also paragraph 3.28. at a site see paragraph A2.12.
3.30 The siting distance of the first sign should be Lighting

beyond the anticipated end of the queue. The length
of the queue should be monitored and additional 3.37 All signs shall be either reflectorised and/
warning signs to diagram 562 other danger ahead or illuminated to conform with the requirements of
with supplementary plate Census to diagram 563, or a TSRGD. All lamps should be kept clean and in good
traffic queues sign to diagram 584 with a supplementary working order.
plate Queues likely to diagram 584.1, should be used.
3.38 For safety reasons, illumination of signs must be
3.31 Additional signs should be used, as appropriate, only by electrically powered lamps.
in consultation with the police, particularly on roads for
which the national speed limit applies. 3.39 Temporary floodlighting should be provided to
the appropriate standard such that work can be carried
3.32 Variable Message Signs (VMS) provide a higher out in safety, giving visual emphasis to the interviewers
visual impact to passing motorists than static signs and and police officers, and to enable road users to pass
are less likely to be missed. The use of temporary VMS safely through the site. Special attention should be given
(typically trailer-mounted) may be considered as an to the orientation of the lighting units to ensure that
addition to fixed signs to warn of queuing traffic ahead. drivers are not dazzled.
Any messages displayed on these signs must comply
with regulations 53(1) and 58, and Schedule 15 to the 3.40 Warning lights (road danger lamps) complying
Regulations. with the Regulations should be used to indicate the
limits of the obstruction and the path vehicles should
Temporary Speed Limits take. The lamps should be located in accordance with
the principles given in Chapter 8.
3.33 The aim on all roads is to reduce the speed
of vehicles approaching an interview station to Weather
about 20mph in the vicinity of the sampling line by
appropriate signing and coning. 3.41 If visibility is reduced due to fog or heavy rain
then for safety reasons it may be necessary to suspend
3.34 The implementation of a temporary mandatory operations for a time or close down the site.
speed limit should be applied unless a site-specific risk
assessment indicates that this is not required. Methods Bilingual Signs
of enforcing a mandatory temporary limit should be
discussed with the police and the decision of whether 3.42 It is a requirement for surveys conducted in Wales
the temporary speed limit is to be mandatory should that bilingual signs are used. Welsh translations of signs
follow this discussion with the police on enforcement used at survey sites may be obtained from
methods. Further guidance on temporary speed limits is www.traffic-wales.com/traffic_signs
given in Chapter 8: Part 1, Design, Section D3.7.
3.35 A limit 20mph below the permanent one, with a

minimum limit of 20mph, is recommended if forward
visibility at the site is good. However, if forward
visibility is poor and/or traffic flows are likely to be low,
and thus likely to result in fast moving traffic, then a
temporary speed limit 30mph below the permanent one
is advised. At survey sites on dual carriageways subject
November 2009 3/3

Part 4 TA 11/09 Staffing and Site Operation
4. STAFFING AND SITE OPERATION
Survey Staff Site Supervisor
4.1 The following list is a guide to the likely survey 4.5 The site supervisor should have the following
staff required at an interview station which will vary roles and responsibilities:
depending on vehicle flow:
the survey site, including checks of site
survey manager with overall responsibility for an operations;
RSI programme;
the survey staff and their safety;
site supervisor responsible for running an
individual site; overall responsibility for data quality, including
sample rates by vehicle class;
assistant site supervisor to act as co-ordinator,
extra interviewer or enumerator, usually only keeping site diaries up to date;
required at very busy sites;
monitoring individual staff member performance;
typically in the range of three to eight
interviewers; appointing a deputy if absent from site;
two enumerators for manual classified count; liaison with enforcement officers; and
relief staff to provide rest breaks for interviewers recording any changes and events during the
and enumerators; survey period.
one or two police officers/traffic officers to direct Arrangements on Site

traffic; and
4.6 Staff should arrive for duty up to one hour before
appropriately trained staff to carry out traffic the commencement of the survey as directed by the site
management duties. supervisor. This allows time for the supervisor to issue
final instructions before interviewing starts.
Training
4.7 Staff should wear comfortable and practical
4.2 Staff should be provided with a survey manual clothing suitable for all weather conditions.
providing details about the survey, the duties involved, Interviewing normally continues in most weather
roles and responsibilities, the associated health and conditions unless general safety is compromised.
safety requirements and detailed instructions on how During the survey period the traffic count must run
to complete the survey questionnaire and the manual continuously regardless of any interruptions to the
classified count form. The forms could be either paper interviews. Hats rather than hoods are more suitable in
or electronic. cold weather as they maintain good visibility.
4.3 Staff should be trained as a group as near to the 4.8 For their own safety and the safety of others, it
date of the surveys as possible. Training may consist is important that all personnel working on or near the
of mock interviews within the group and, if possible, a carriageway must at all times wear suitable personal
short practical period on a public highway classifying protective equipment (PPE) including high visibility
vehicles. garments. Details are given in Chapter 8: Part 2,
Section O6.3.
4.4 An example questionnaire and manual classified
count form are included at Annex 5. 4.9 Facilities should be identified in the local area for
staff use. Access to proper toilet facilities, etc. should be
in a convenient location.
November 2009 4/1

Staffing and Site Operation Part 4 TA 11/09
4.10 A rota for rest breaks is required that ensures 4.14 The FPN can be delivered verbally in a brief
the maximum period for interviewing does not introduction giving the name of the data controller, the
normally exceed two hours. A suggested rota is one purpose or purposes for which the information is to be
hour interviews, one hour count, one hour interviews, used and any other disclosures considered appropriate
and then one hour break taking into account the skills under the Act. Drivers should also be informed that
of staff, for example, enumerators may not have the information is given on a voluntary basis.
right skills for undertaking interviews. Staff should
not be expected to work excessive hours as fatigue 4.15 For drivers willing to co-operate, questions
reduces accuracy and increases the risk of accidents in a should be asked in a precise and unambiguous way and
potentially dangerous environment. require short answers, while at the same time fulfilling
the objectives of the survey.
4.11 It is usual to install a temporary Automatic Traffic
Counter (ATC) at a proposed RSI location for a one-or 4.16 To avoid disruption to site operation, interviewers
two-week period to encompass the planned survey date should avoid becoming engaged in long conversations
in order to identify normal traffic patterns where this with drivers. It is recommended that a leaflet is given
data is not available from other sources. ATCs should be out that confirms the details of the FPN and provides
classified and provide two-way flows. When surveying additional information about the surveys as appropriate.
on-slips, the comparable off-slip should be covered by
an ATC as well. 4.17 An example leaflet is included at Annex 6.
Interview Procedure and Questionnaire Traffic Management Team
4.12 An interview should be undertaken as efficiently 4.18 For safety and operational reasons, it is
as possible so that any delay is minimised. Ideally the recommended that survey staff will not become directly
time between a driver leaving and rejoining the main involved with traffic management at the site unless
traffic flow, including the interview, should not exceed specifically trained to do so. This activity should
three minutes. always be undertaken by specialist quality assured
contractors. Some local highway authorities may insist
that a suitable contractor is selected from their approved
Step 1
list. On the Highways Agency network in England, the
Very brief introduction
organisations engaged in traffic management operations
(Data Protection Act, etc.)
are required to comply fully with the requirements
of the National Highway Sector Schemes which are
training qualifications for supervisors and operatives.
The Sector Schemes relevant to traffic management
at survey sites are Schemes 12B and 12D. Details are
Step 2
available on the United Kingdom Accreditation Service
RSI questions
(UKAS) website, www.ukas.com. See also Chapter 8:
Part 2, Section O6.2.
4.19 The site supervisor retains overall control of the

site once established. However, the traffic management
Step 3 team should be on call throughout the survey period in
Hand out background leaflet case adjustments are required to the layout to address a
safety issue, or the site needs to be suspended or closed
down.
Figure 4.1: Recommended interview steps
Police Officer or Traffic Officer
4.13 Compliance with the requirements of the Data
4.20 The police officer or traffic officer, as appropriate,
Protection Act is a matter for individual organisations to
is responsible for the control of traffic, its movement
consider when planning a survey programme. However,
through the site and for its entry and exit from the
under the Act, drivers called for interview must be
interview bay. Police officers are normally employed on
provided with a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) prior to
a special policing duties basis. As such the operation
any request for information.
of the traffic count should be their focus on site.
4/2 November 2009

Part 4 TA 11/09 Staffing and Site Operation
Adequate provision to cover rest breaks should be made Signal Controlled Junctions
in order to maintain survey continuity. If for any reason
the officer is absent from the site, interviewing must be 4.29 At signal controlled junctions it may not be
suspended. possible to ask drivers questions directly. In these
circumstances self completion postal questionnaires
4.21 More than one police or traffic officer may be could be used.
required to regulate traffic at a particular site, especially
where there are safety considerations or congestion Time Periods
through the site can be expected.
4.30 Generally, surveys are carried out for either 12
4.22 All decisions affecting site operation should be or 16 hour periods, between 0700 and 1900 and 0600
taken by the site supervisor in conjunction with the and 2200 hours respectively, or for 24-hour periods. To
police or traffic officer to avoid confusion. ensure that information collected is useful for a range
of different purposes, it is recommended that survey
Site Operation periods should not be less than 12 hours. In order to
assist with processing it is suggested that forms be
Sites with By-pass Lane collected from interviewers half hourly.
4.23 The police or traffic officer stands in the Site Diaries

carriageway in front of the sampling line. The
interviewer furthest from the officer indicates when the 4.31 There may be a time gap between the data
bays are empty and that he/she is ready to commence. collection and processing stages of a survey programme
At sites with two officers it may be necessary to and, in addition, these stages may be carried out by
co-ordinate the stopping of vehicles in for interview and different organisations. It is, therefore, extremely
the release of vehicles back into traffic. important that any events affecting the data collection
are accurately recorded on the day of survey to avoid
4.24 It is important that a random sample of vehicles problems later. It is normally the responsibility of the
is obtained as far as possible. The officer directs the first site supervisor to ensure proper records are kept, usually
and following vehicles in the main traffic stream into through the completion of a Site Diary. Site diaries
the interview station until all the bays are full. Vehicles should contain information such as:
not required for interview are then directed into the
by-pass lane. when surveys go smoothly;
4.25 A bias in the sample may be introduced if faster site closures;

moving vehicles or heavy goods vehicles are ignored.
Specific vehicle types should be directed into the station changes in methods;
to increase the sample size if required.
weather (with times);
4.26 There is tendency for interviewers to drift along
the bay and, to maximise the number of interviews, staff police/traffic officer presence (with times);
must reposition themselves correctly to meet incoming
vehicles. site hours;
4.27 Interviewers must not move cones to allow team size;

waiting drivers to leave the bay and must avoid doing
anything that could be construed as directing traffic. sample size;
Stop/Go Sites traffic flows;
4.28 At Stop/Go sites, the police or traffic officer site number, location and direction;
should stand at the side of the interviewer furthest from
postcard serial numbers and times of despatch to
the approaching traffic and stop the required vehicle
drivers;
as it reaches him, bringing those following to a halt.
Interviews may then proceed. any other information as appropriate.
November 2009 4/3

Staffing and Site Operation Part 4 TA 11/09
4.32 Site supervisors should ensure that the site

number, site location and direction of interview are
clearly recorded. While site locations and layouts are
agreed with the police in advance, there is sometimes
a need to make changes on the day for unexpected
safety or operational problems. Failure to note these
changes will inevitably lead to confusion during the
processing stage. Diaries should be used as a record of
all events on site, and not just problems or issues to be
solved, therefore, all diaries should contain at least basic
comments on the nature of the survey and its location,
etc.
4.33 Complaints and issues raised by members of

the public should be noted in site diaries to assist the
commissioning authority in dealing with the publics
concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible.
4/4 November 2009

Part 4 TA 11/09 Contingency Planning
5. CONTINGENCY PLANNING
5.1 Even with careful planning, traffic congestion can

become a problem, particularly during peak periods.
Dealing with these problems requires careful judgement
and a contingency plan should always be developed in
advance. To help plan effectively, details about existing
traffic conditions will be required.
5.2 Suspending operations temporarily is preferable

to subjecting the travelling public to unacceptable
delays. The latter may lead to the police closing
down the site and the loss of goodwill on behalf of
the travelling public may rule out any possibility of
returning to the same location in the future.
5.3 When a survey has been suspended, it is

recommended that all non-essential staff leave the
immediate vicinity of the site. Groups of people
wearing high visibility jackets may distract drivers,
causing congestion to clear less quickly. In addition, it
is recommended that STOP AT CENSUS POINT and
CENSUS STOP if directed signs should be laid down
to avoid drivers expecting to be stopped while the queue
is cleared.
5.4 A contingency plan is site-specific and should be

implemented by the site supervisor, in consultation with
the police or traffic officer.
5.5 For instance, the contingency plan may be

initiated when queues reach a pre-determined point.
To avoid confusion, the end-of-queue point should
be clearly marked on the site layout plan. At busy
sites, queue lengths should be monitored by a separate
member of the survey team who keeps in touch with the
site supervisor by mobile telephone. For safety reasons,
the first sign should be beyond the end of the queue; see
the signing principles given in Annex 4.
5.6 It may be reasonable not to implement a

contingency plan if the end of the peak period is in
sight and removing traffic management would be a
major task. In addition, delays may exceed normally
acceptable levels when it is clear that sufficient traffic is
passing through the site to feed a bottleneck to capacity
further down the road.
5.7 Information on managing congestion is provided

in Annex 7.
November 2009 5/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 Alternative Survey Methods
6. ALTERNATIVE SURVEY METHODS
General that can be sealed thus concealing survey information

while in transit.
6.1 At a specific location RSIs provide the best
source of information about journeys. Alternative 6.7 The questionnaire should include the FPN
survey methods are required where concerns about (paragraph 4.13) and further details about the survey as
safety and congestion are not easily overcome. There appropriate. This should include a serial number on the
are a number of alternative methods for collecting card, and a list in the site diary of times that batches of
origin and destination information. None of the methods cards were distributed.
collect identical data and sample bias, lack of journey
purpose or only partial origin destination information 6.8 It is recommended that an additional question of
can occur depending upon survey method. where were you given this card be included alongside
the serial number for each card to assist in tracking
Survey Redesign survey locations on large survey sites.
6.2 A cordon of surveys may be used instead of a Registration Number Surveys

survey on a road that is unsuitable for use as a survey
site. The same information may be obtained from 6.9 Registration number surveys have several
surveys at several locations on the surrounding roads disadvantages over RSIs. The journey information
and by possibly asking a screening question to confirm lacks detail about purpose and the ultimate origin
the relevance for participation in the survey. This and destination of the trip. Also, the processing of the
method may well delay drivers not intending to pass information can be complicated and time consuming.
through the original location and involve extra data The advantages are that drivers are not inconvenienced
collection and processing costs. and there is a lower unit cost of observation.
Self-Completion Postcard Questionnaires 6.10 Registration number surveys are sometimes

used for limited validation of origin and destination
6.3 Postcard questionnaires are handed out at information in small or closed systems where RSIs are
locations where drivers normally slow down, such as on difficult to carry out. For example, they may be useful
the approach to roundabouts or at traffic signals. Drivers for checking movements using alternative routes or to
complete the questionnaires later and return them by provide entry and exit information for small junction or
post. In comparison with face-to-face interviews, delays road improvement schemes.
may be significantly reduced. The need for lane closures
on dual carriageway sites may be avoided, leading to 6.11 Registration number surveys may also be useful
further delay savings. in combination with RSIs, for example, to provide
information on journeys using a network of motorways
6.4 The two major disadvantages of postcard serving a large conurbation.
questionnaires are the low return rates, anything from
5% to 50% and also sample bias from an imbalance 6.12 Journey information for traffic joining and
in responses from particular sections of the public, leaving a motorway within the conurbation may be
especially commercial vehicle drivers. To maximise the obtained from RSIs on junction entry slip roads. The
number of responses, it is recommended that postage is registration number surveys are used to identify the
pre-paid, also a prize draw may increase participation entry and exit points of traffic passing through the
rates. conurbation, as interviewing on the motorway mainline
is not permitted (see paragraph 3.7). The registration
6.5 Responses take longer to be collected than face- number surveys can also provide journey time
to-face interviews as they rely on respondents choosing information for through traffic.
to post a card and then the normal postal delay.
6.13 Mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition
6.6 Privacy of responses on postcard surveys (ANPR) cameras can also be considered as they greatly
is important and consideration should be given to improve accuracy over manual number plate surveys.
providing envelopes or postcards with gummed edges
November 2009 6/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 Sampling and Address Coding
7. SAMPLING AND ADDRESS CODING
Sampling and remove the need to transpose the collected data

into digital format. In addition, the use of electronic
7.1 For RSIs, vehicle samples should be selected gazetteers can also significantly increase the speed at
at random. In order to achieve this, vehicles should which the information is collected, reducing delays to
be directed to the interview bays as soon as they are motorists.
available, slower vehicles should not be chosen in
preference to faster ones. Address Coding Guidelines
7.2 The number of interviews needed to obtain a 7.10 Address information should be as detailed as
representative sample of vehicles using a particular possible. Normally, it is not acceptable to obtain only
route is dictated by the needs of a particular study. postcode information. Postcodes should be collected as
Sample size is the number of vehicle drivers part of a detailed address for identification purposes.
interviewed in any one period, and not the percentage
flow in that period. 7.11 Clear and unambiguous handwriting is also
essential on site as processing will generally be carried
7.3 An example showing how to estimate the number out by someone else. While there is often pressure
of interviews required is given at Annex 8. to complete interviews quickly, especially during
inclement weather, efforts should be made to ensure that
7.4 This estimate is used to fix the size of the survey writing is legible.
team. However, providing more than six interviewers
can have a detrimental effect on the sample rate due to 7.12 Generally, abbreviations should be avoided. At
the extra time required to fill and empty the interview sites intercepting drivers heading towards a town, parts
station. of an address may be repetitive so there is a temptation
to abbreviate, for example, Nor for Northampton.
7.5 As a guide, experience suggests that four However, some abbreviations may be allowed, such as
experienced interviewers can obtain in excess of 100 Rd., St. and Ave.
interviews per hour on average, although this number
is not always achievable due to lack of traffic, traffic 7.13 Addresses such as Rubbish Tip may make
management difficulties or bad weather. sense at the roadside, but may well cause difficulties
later. In cities, for example, Garage in Old Kent
7.6 Questions in addition to those highlighted in Road is ambiguous as there may well be more than
Annex 5 should be assessed against the reduced sample one; the locality is required. There are duplicated town
size achieved when survey lengths increase. names, for example, Ashford, Farnborough, Kingston,
Gillingham, which are made unique by the county
Data Quality and Address Coding Guidelines name.
General 7.14 Driving lessons, car testing or country drives are
examples of journeys without a destination. These can
7.7 The site supervisor is responsible for ensuring be difficult to deal with on site. Interviewers should try
that high standards of data collection are maintained. and identify the furthest points reached before or after
This will ensure that the benefits RSI information can the site. Postal addresses will probably be difficult to
bring are maximised. specify, but street names, villages or main landmarks
can usually be obtained.
7.8 For large survey programmes scheduled to take
place over a number of weeks, there are significant 7.15 When drivers are leaving the country, the address
advantages in data collection and processing running in of their point of exit or entry, i.e. seaport or airport,
parallel. Regular feedback to staff on site helps with the should be recorded.
overall quality control process.
7.16 Ask the driver to spell unfamiliar place names.
7.9 The use of electronic logging devices is
recommended as it can offer more accurate collection
November 2009 7/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 References
8. REFERENCES
1. Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB)

Volume 12, Section 2, Part 1, Traffic Appraisal in
Urban Areas.
2. Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual: Traffic

Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and
Temporary Situations.
3. The Traffic Signs Regulations and General

Directions 2002 (SI 2002 No. 3113).
4. Traffic Management Act 2004.
5. United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Scheme 12B. Sector Scheme document for static
temporary traffic management on motorways and
high speed dual carriageways including on-line
widening schemes.
6. United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Scheme 12D. Sector Scheme document for static
temporary traffic management on Rural and
Urban Roads.
November 2009 8/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 Enquiries
9. enquiries
All technical enquiries or comments on this Advice Note should be sent in writing as appropriate to:
Director
Network Planning and Performance
Highways Agency
123 Buckingham Palace Road
London D GINGELL
SW1W 9HA Director, Network Planning and Performance
Director, Major Transport Infrastructure Projects

Transport Scotland
Buchanan House
58 Port Dundas Road
Glasgow A C McLAUGHLIN
G4 0HF Director, Major Transport Infrastructure Projects
Chief Highway Engineer

Welsh Assembly Government
Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru
Crown Buildings
Cathays Park
Cardiff S C SHOULER (BSc(Hons), C.Eng.MICE)
CF10 3NQ Chief Highway Engineer
Director of Engineering
The Department for Regional Development
Roads Service
Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
Belfast R J M CAIRNS
BT2 8GB Director of Engineering
November 2009 9/1

Volume 5 Section 1 Annex 1
Part 4 TA 11/09 Definitions Used in Roadside Interview Surveys
ANNEX 1 DEFINITIONS USED IN ROADSIDE

INTERVIEW SURVEYS
General Screen Line:

A line of census points across an area that is designed to
A1.1 This Annex defines the principal terms and intercept all traffic going from one side of the area to the
concepts associated with roadside interview surveys. other.
Definitions Secretary of State:

The Secretary of State for Transport, the Department
By-pass Lane: for Regional Development (Northern Ireland), the
A traffic lane established with cones to allow non- Transport Scotland or the Welsh Assembly Government,
interviewed traffic to pass the interview station. as appropriate.
Census point: Stop/Go Site:
The position on the highway where the interviewing and An interview site without a by-pass lane where all
counting takes place. traffic is stopped at the Census Point and the drivers at
the head of the queue are interviewed and the queue of
Cordon: traffic is then released.
A ring of census points surrounding an area that is
designed to intercept the majority of traffic entering or Traffic Authority
leaving that area. Has the meaning given by section 121A of the Road
Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Highway Authority:
Is defined by the New Roads and Street Works Act Traffic Count:
1991, as having the meaning given in the Highways Act A count undertaken to determine the number of vehicles
1980 the meaning of roads authority as given in the using a particular road. Counts can be undertaken
Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. manually (counted by enumerators) or automatically
(counted by machine) as follows:
Interview Bay:
The section of the site where vehicles are stopped for Manual Classified Count: a count that breaks
interviews to take place. The number of bays may vary down traffic flows by vehicle type. Classified
between sites and peak and off-peak times. counts are required at every roadside interview
site, and on minor parallel roads within the
Interview Site: corridor not included in the interview programme,
The section of road covered by the traffic management to expand the interview sample to the total traffic
(traffic signs and cones) and including the interview flow in the corridor as a whole; and
station.
Automatic Traffic Count: a count used to monitor
Roadside Interview Survey: traffic flows over longer periods to provide
A survey at a specific point on the highway network information about the relationship between traffic
where a sample of drivers is stopped and asked by on the survey day and longer-term flow levels.
interviewers to volunteer to answer questions about All roadside interview sites should normally be
their journeys. The information usually requested from included in automatic count programmes for at
each driver includes the full address of the start (origin) least two weeks.
and finish (destination) points of their journey and the
reason (purpose) for making the journey.
Sampling Point:
The location prior to the interview station where a
police officer selects vehicles for interview and directs
them into the interview station. At a Stop/Go site, this
will also be the Census Point.
November 2009 A1/1

Annex 1 Volume 5 Section 1
Definitions Used in Roadside Interview Surveys Part 4 TA 11/09
Traffic Officer:
Traffic officers in England are generally designated
by the Secretary of State and have jurisdiction over
such roads as may be specified in that designation. The
Traffic Management Act 2004 gives traffic officers the
power on roads for which the Secretary of State is the
traffic authority, to:
stop and direct vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians;

and
place temporary traffic signs to warn or direct

traffic.
A1/2 November 2009

Part 4 TA 11/09 Legal Framework for England
ANNEX 2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENGLAND
General officers similar powers to a police constable to place

and maintain traffic signs on the road.
A2.1 This Annex does not make reference to all
legislation that may be applicable to anyone engaged A2.7 The powers of a traffic officer are subject to
in RSIs as anyone so engaged needs to comply with all certain limitations. The limitations are:
current applicable legislation in any case. Some of the
major legal requirements that anyone engaged in RSIs (a) that the powers may only be exercised in relation
in England should take into account are indicated below. to those roads over which the traffic officer has
Equivalent legal requirements are likely to apply to jurisdiction or under the direction of the Chief
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The information Officer of the Police for the area or with the
provided is not meant to be exhaustive and is intended consent of the local traffic authority; and
for guidance only. The legal requirements should always
be reviewed before proposals for RSIs are finalised and (b) that they are used for the purposes of:
all applicable legislation should be complied with.
maintaining or improving the movement of
Human Rights and Data Protection traffic on those roads over which the traffic
officer has jurisdiction;
A2.2 The European Convention on Human Rights,
which became part of UK law with effect from preventing or reducing the effect of
2 October 2000 under the 1998 Human Rights Act, and anything causing (or which has the
the Data Protection Act 1998 are very complex pieces potential to cause) congestion or other
of legislation. Anyone engaged in RSIs will need to disruption to the movement of traffic on
consider the requirements of both these Acts and how such a road;
compliance should be achieved for their specific survey
programme. avoiding danger to persons or other traffic
using such a road (or preventing risks of
Health and Safety any such danger arising);
A2.3 Health and safety at work is regulated mainly by preventing damage to, or to anything on or
the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA). near such a road;
A2.4 This HSWA requires an employer to ensure, so or that they are used for a purpose
far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at incidental to one of the purposes set out
work of all employees and others who may be affected above.
by his actions. Any injured persons or their dependants
may be able to sustain a claim for damages if negligence A2.8 The Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA) requires any
or breach of statutory duty can be proved. person to follow the direction of a police constable
to stop a vehicle or to make it proceed in, or keep to,
A2.5 In terms of undertaking a roadside interview a particular line of traffic for the purposes of a traffic
survey, it is imperative from the outset that all those survey of any description which is being carried out on
involved should have a clear understanding of how or in the vicinity of the road.
compliance with the HSWA is to be achieved.
A2.9 Neither a police constable nor a traffic officer
Traffic Directions for the Purposes of a RSI can give a direction requiring a person to provide
information for the purposes of a traffic survey and both
A2.6 Section 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 the power of the police constable and the traffic officer
(TMA) gives traffic officers the power to stop a vehicle to direct traffic for the purposes of a traffic survey
or to make it proceed in, or keep to, a particular line should be exercised as not to cause any unreasonable
of traffic for the purposes of a traffic survey of any delay to a person who indicates an unwillingness to
description which is being carried out on or in the provide any information for the purposes of the traffic
vicinity of the road. Section 7 of the TMA give traffic survey.
November 2009 A2/1

Legal Framework for England Part 4 TA 11/09
Insurance
A2.10 Employers should ensure that they have

insurance against their liability for personal injury to
their employees as provided for by the Employers
Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
A2.11 Employers should also ensure that they have the

appropriate level of public liability insurance.
Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders
A2.12 Under certain circumstances it may be necessary

to obtain temporary traffic regulation orders before a
survey site can go ahead. For example, orders may be
required to suspend parking bays, prevent loading and
unloading or impose a temporary speed limit. Advice
on the need for temporary orders should be sought from
the appropriate highway authority as part of the normal
survey planning process.
A2.13 Orders are made under Section 14 of the

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The Road Traffic
(Temporary Restrictions) Procedure Regulations 1992
lay down the procedures to be followed in processing
temporary orders under Section 14. However, for
obvious safety and operational reasons, RSIs must
not be conducted on the mainline of a motorway
(see paragraph 3.7).
A2.14 Orders must be issued by the appropriate

highway authority. A minimum of eight weeks is
normally required before the start of works to draft
the Order and sufficient time should be allowed in the
survey planning process.
Surveys on Motorways
A2.15 The Motorway Traffic (England and Wales)

Regulations 1982 (the Regulations) make provision
for the way in which motorways are used by traffic.
The Regulations provide a relaxation on the use of
motorways in accordance with the Regulations where
it is necessary for a person to do so in connection with
any inspection, survey, investigation or census which is
carried out in accordance with any general or specific
authority granted by the Secretary of State.
A2.16 For procedural guidance on undertaking an RSI

on a motorway entry slip see Section 3.
A2/2 November 2009

Part 4 TA 11/09 Example Press Release
annex 3 EXAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
TRAFFIC SURVEYS ABOUT TO START
The Highways Agency announced today that a two-week programme of roadside traffic surveys to assess drivers
journey patterns will start this week (ending 20 March 2009) at a small number of sites in Hampshire.
This is part of a major survey programme covering London and South East England being carried out jointly by the
Highways Agency and Transport for London which started in Autumn 2008.
Highways Agency Project Manager Alan Turner said:
When completed, the surveys will provide high quality information on the journeys made by car and lorry drivers
over about one third of the area of England. The information will help the Agency to gain an understanding of
travel patterns, providing a key input to the development and planning of future investment in the transport system.
We hope that the travelling public will co-operate to help us deliver the improvements that they want.
The surveys involve stopping a sample of drivers and asking them to volunteer to answer questions about their
journeys. Each survey site is operated in one direction, on one day only, with interviews expected to take between
two and three minutes. Safety will be of paramount importance, with traffic control provided by the police at all site
locations. All necessary steps will be taken to minimise delays.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Local news media are requested to refrain from broadcasting the exact dates and locations of the surveys
should they become aware of them. This is necessary to avoid drivers changing their normal travel behaviour
and distorting the survey results.
2. The surveys will be carried out by contractors experienced in conducting roadside interviews.
3. Explanatory leaflets will be handed out to drivers who want to know more about the surveys, and these will
give telephone numbers for enquiries.
4. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains
and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It
works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network
with the rest of Englands roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at
www.highways.gov.uk
November 2009 A3/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 Signing Principles and Typical Site Layouts
ANNEX 4 SIGNING PRINCIPLES AND TYPICAL

SITE LAYOUTS
Signing Principles a CENSUS STOP if directed sign (830.1);

and
A4.1 In this Annex, the terms Detail B, C1 and C2 in
the plans and principles refer to coning details given in a CENSUS POINT sign (832) located at
Table A4.1. the far end of the census point;
A4.2 At the survey site, the principles are: and in the secondary direction on the near side
upstream of the first cone of the survey area:
the length of the survey area is given by the
formula: a hazard sign (562) with supplementary
plate Census (563); and
(4 + 8 x the number of interviewers)(m);
at least one road narrows sign (517) with
except when the survey site is at a traffic signal supplementary plate Single file traffic
controlled junction. In this case the length is (518).
given by the formula:
For safety reasons, the siting distance of the
(4 + 4 x the number of interviewers)(m); first sign should be beyond the anticipated end
of the queue. The length of the queue should
coning to Detail C1 is used to mark a guide island be monitored and additional warning signs
through the survey site; either to diagram 562 other danger ahead with
supplementary plate Census, or a traffic queues
keep left/right signs (610) are used on the off sign to diagram 584 with a supplementary plate
side behind the coning of the guide island to (584.1) Queues likely should be used.
indicate the route traffic should take past the
guide island; and to indicate the line of the traffic; A4.4 On dual carriageway roads:
and
The following signing is required in the primary
a police officer or a traffic officer is required to direction on the near side and off side upstream of
be in attendance as only a duly authorised officer the sampling point:
may legally stop or direct traffic at survey sites.
a hazard sign (562) with supplementary
A4.3 On single carriageway roads: plate Census (563) including the distance
to the first traffic cone;
The following signing is required in the primary
direction on the near side upstream of the a traffic queues sign to diagram 584 with
sampling point: a supplementary plate (584.1) Queues
likely;
a hazard sign (562) with supplementary
plate Census (563) including the distance depending on the permanent speed limit
to the first traffic cone; of the road, between two and four pairs of
advanced lane closure signs are required,
a traffic queues sign to diagram 584 with that is:
a supplementary plate (584.1) Queues
likely;
at least one road narrows sign (517) with

supplementary plate Single file traffic
(518);
November 2009 A4/1

Signing Principles and Typical Site Layouts Part 4 TA 11/09
wicket signs indicating the closed Plan SV5: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual
lane (7202) with distance panel, for carriageway road for which the national speed
example, 800 yards (7208) on the limit applies.
near side and off side, placed 800m
in advance of the first cone of the Plan SV6: Traffic survey on a three-lane dual
taper. These signs are repeated, with carriageway road for which the national speed
the appropriate distance plate, at 200 limit applies interviewing from the nearside.
yard intervals to a point 200 yards in
advance of the works, i.e. at 600m, Plan SV7: Traffic survey on a dual carriageway
400m and 200m; and entry slip road - lane closure at the downstream
end of the slip road.
at least two SLOW CENSUS POINT
signs (831);
CENSUS STOP if directed signs (830.1)

on the near side and off side; and
a CENSUS POINT sign (832) located at

the far end of the census point.
For safety reasons, the siting distance of the

first sign should be beyond the anticipated end
of the queue. The length of the queue should
be monitored and additional warning signs
either to diagram 562 other danger ahead with
supplementary plate Census, or a traffic queues
sign to diagram 584 with a supplementary plate
(584.1) Queues likely should be used.
List of Layout Plans
A4.5 The list of plans is as follows:
Plan SV1: Traffic survey on a single carriageway

road:
(a) with a lay-by;

(b) without a lay-by.
Plan SV2: Traffic survey at a traffic signal

controlled junction.
Plan SV3: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual

carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of
40 mph or less - interviewing from the nearside:
(a) with a lay-by;

(b) without a lay-by.
Plan SV4: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual

carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of
50 or 60 mph.
A4/2 November 2009

November 2009
Part 4 TA 11/09
Volume 5 Section 1
Details B, C1 and C2 used in plans (minimum sizes given)
Single Single Dual Dual Dual
carriageway carriageway carriageway carriageway carriageway
road (permanent road (permanent road (permanent road (permanent road (national
speed limit of speed limit of speed limit of speed limit of speed limit)
40 mph or less) 50 mph or more) 40 mph or less) 50 mph or
60 mph)
Detail B
Traffic cones
(45 tapers have 1.2m
spacing, no relaxations)
Detail B Cones Cones Cones Cones Cones

450 mm 750 mm 450 mm 750 mm 750 mm
Notes: Cone spacing Cone spacing Cone spacing Cone spacing Cone spacing
1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m
1) During darkness, warning lights to
BS EN 12352:2006 should be provided in
accordance with Chapter 8, Table A1.3
(Appendix 1).
2) 45o tapers have 1.2m cone spacing, no
Signing Principles and Typical Site Layouts

relaxations.
Detail C1
3) On motorways and9m all-purpose dual
Traffic cones
carriageway roads with hard shoulders on
which the national speed limit applies, 1m
cones will be required for both standard
works and works for which relaxations may
be applied, for both lead tapers and the facing
wall of a lane change.
Table A4.1 Details B, C1 and C2 used in the plans

Detail C2
Annex 4
3m
Traffic cones
A4/3
A4/4
Signing Principles and Typical Site Layouts

Annex 4
Traffic cones Details B, C1 and C2 used in plans (minimum sizes given)
(45 tapers have 1.2m
Traffic cones
Single Single Dual Dual Dual
Detail B (45 tapers have 1.2m carriageway carriageway carriageway carriageway carriageway
road (permanent road (permanent road (permanent road (permanent road (national
Detail B speed limit of speed limit of speed limit of speed limit of speed limit)
40 mph or less) 50 mph or more) 40 mph or less) 50 mph or
60 mph)
Detail C
Method C1:
Detail C1
9m
Traffic cones
Cones Cones Cones Cones Cones
Detail C1 450 mm 750 mm 450 mm 750 mm 750 mm
9m
Traffic cones
Method C2:
Detail C2
Cones Cones Cones
Detail C2 3m
Traffic cones 450 mm 750 mm 750 mm
3m
Traffic cones
Note:
1) During darkness, warning lights to

BS EN 12352:2006 should be provided in
accordance with Chapter 8, Table A1.3
(Appendix 1).
Table A4.1 Details B, C1 and C2 used in the plans (continued)
Volume 5 Section 1
Part 4 TA 11/09
November 2009
Dimension Single carriageway road: Permanent speed limit

30mph or 40mph 50mph Unrestricted
less (60mph)
Distance D
Normal maximum siting distance of the first sign in 100 200 450 450
advance of the lead-in taper in metres.1
Distance T
Length of the cone taper in metres.

Width of hazard (metres) 1 13 20 25 25
2 26 40 50 50
3 39 60 75 75
4 52 80 100 100
5 65 100 125 125
Note:
1. (a) The values for the minimum siting distance of the first sign on roads with a permanent speed limit of
40mph or less are greater than those given in the equivalent table in Chapter 8 (Table 5.3 in Part 1: Design).
This is because queuing traffic is likely at survey sites and sufficient warning of a queue is necessary.
(b) The distance shown should be used when extensive queuing is not expected. For safety reasons, the siting
distance of the first sign should be beyond the anticipated end of the queue. The length of the queue should
be monitored and additional warning signs either to diagram 562 other danger ahead with supplementary
plate (563) Census, or a traffic queues sign to diagram 584 with a supplementary plate (584.1) Queues
likely should be used.
TABLE A4.2 Distances shown in Plans SV1 and SV2
November 2009 A4/5

Plan SV1: Traffic survey on a single carriageway road
See Note 2
See Note 2 563

See Note 5
563 562
See Note 5 670
562
670 See Note 3 670
D See Note 1
See Note 3 670 D
See Note 1 518
518 517
517
Datum
610 Datum
B T See Note 1
610
B T See Note 1
See Note 4
See Note 4
670
P P 670
832
832
610
4+8x (No. Interviewers)
610
C1
C1
3.0 3.0
30m
610
P
610
C1 P Datum Sampling line
Datum Sampling line 3.0

830.1 3.0
3.0 3.0 30m
830.1
30m
B
B
T
T 830.1 610
830.1 610
Datum Datum
See Note 4
See Note 4 670
670
517
517
518 518
831 831
See Note 1 D See Note 1 D
670 See Note 3 670 See Note 3

See Note 5 See Note 5
670 670
584 584
584.1 584.1
562 562
563
563
See Note 2
See Note 2
With a lay-by Without a lay-by

(a) (b)
A4/6 November 2009

Plan SV1: Traffic survey on a single carriageway road
Notes:
1. Refer to Table A4.2 for the dimensions of D and T.
2. The distance shown on the sub-plate to diagram 563 should be that to the first traffic cone, that is,
dimension D.
3. A temporary mandatory speed limit 20 mph below the permanent speed limit, with a minimum of 20 mph,
is recommended.
4. For the spacing of speed limit repeater signs see Chapter 8, Part 1: Design, Table 3.4, Note 1.
5. A sign showing the permanent speed limit on the road should be included after the interview site.
6. Additional signing will be required in the non-interview direction on very narrow roads where traffic may be
brought to a stop by police control or the use of STOP/GO boards.
7. For safety reasons, the siting distance of the first sign should be beyond the anticipated end of the queue. The
location of the end of the queue should be monitored and additional signs should be added if necessary.
November 2009 A4/7

Plan SV2: Traffic survey at a traffic signal controlled junction
563
562
563
562
562
563
670
See Note 5 670
See Note 3
832
Datum P
670
See Note 4
830.1
See Note 4
670
830.3
See Note 1 D
831
584
584.1
670 See Note 3
670
562 See Note 5
563
See Note 2
A4/8 November 2009

Plan SV2: Traffic survey at a traffic signal controlled junction
Notes:
1. Refer to Table A4.2 for the dimension of D.
2. The distance shown on the sub-plate diagram 563 should that to the first traffic cone, that is, dimension D.
is recommended.
November 2009 A4/9

Plan SV3: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of 40 mph or
less interviewing from the nearside
See Note 3
670
45m
See Note 3
670
45m
832 832 P
P
Interviewers)
4+8x (No.
Interviewers)
4+8x (No.
C1 C1
Sampling line
P
3.0 30m
Sampling line 830.1
350m
3.0 30m
830.1 300m
350m
300m
C1
C1
200m 610
200m 610
830.1
150m
830.1 C1
150m
831
C1 610
100m
831 7105
610
100m
7105
C2
C2
610
Datum
610 831
Datum
831 25m
25m See Note 2
670
See Note 2
670
7202
7202 7208
100m
7208
100m
7202
7202
7208
200m
7208
200m See Note 1
670
See Note 1 250m
670
250m
584
584
584.1
584.1 275m
275m
562
562
563
563
300m 300m
Traffic Central Traffic Central

lanes reservation lanes reservation
With a lay-by Without a lay-by

(a) (b)
A4/10 November 2009

Plan SV3: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of 40 mph or
less interviewing from the nearside
Notes:
is recommended.
2. For the spacing of speed limit repeater signs, see Chapter 8, Part 1: Design, Table 3.4, Note 1.
November 2009 A4/11

Plan SV4: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of 50 or 60 mph
670
See Note 3
P
832
Interviewers)
4+8x (No.
C1
Sampling line
3.0
30m
830.1
350m
830.1
250m
C1
831
610
150m
7105
C2
610
Datum
831
50m
7202
7208
200m
670 See Note 2
7202
7208
400m
7202
7208
600m
670 See Note 1

650m
562
563
800m
584
584.1
1200m
562
563
1600m
Traffic Central
lanes reservation
A4/12 November 2009

Plan SV4: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of 50 or 60 mph
Notes:
is recommended.
November 2009 A4/13

Plan SV5: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual carriageway road for which the national speed limit applies
671
See Note 3
P
832
Interviewers)
4+8x (No.
C1
Sampling line
3.0 30m
830.1
350m
830.1
250m
C1
831
610
150m
7105
610
Datum
831
50m
7202
7208
200m
7202
7208
400m
670 See Note 2
7202
600m 7208
7202
7208
800m
670 See Note 1

850m
584
584.1
1200m
562
563
1600m
584
584.1
2400m
562
563
3200m
Traffic Central
lanes reservation
A4/14 November 2009

Plan SV5: Traffic survey on a two-lane dual carriageway road for which the national speed limit applies
Notes:
1. At survey sites on dual carriageways subject to the national speed limit, a temporary mandatory speed limit
of 40mph is recommended.
4. For safety reasons, the siting distance of the first sign should be beyond the anticipated end of the queue.
For example, a hazard sign (562) with supplementary plate Census 3 miles (563) may be required. The
November 2009 A4/15

Plan SV6: Traffic survey on a three-lane dual carriageway road for which the national speed limit applies
interviewing from the nearside
671
See Note 3
P
832
Interviewers)
4+8x (No.
C1
P
C1
Sampling line
3.0 30m
830.1
725m
610
675m
7105
C1
500m 610 830.1
830.1
400m
C1
831 610
300m
7105
B
Datum 610
831
50m
7202
7208
200m
7202
7208
400m
670 See Note 2
7202
7208
600m
7202
7208
800m
670 See Note 1
850m
584
584.1
1200m
562
563
1600m
584
584.1
2400m
562
563
3200m
Traffic Central
lanes reservation
A4/16 November 2009

Plan SV6: Traffic survey on a three-lane dual carriageway road for which the national speed limit applies
interviewing from the nearside
Notes:
4. For safety reasons, the siting distance of the first sign should be beyond the anticipated end of the queue.
For example, a hazard sign (562) with supplementary plate Census 3 miles (563) may be required. The
November 2009 A4/17

Plan SV7: Traffic survey on a dual carriageway entry slip road - lane closure at the downstream end of the
slip road
671
45m
See Note 3 P 832
Datum
Interviewers)
4+8x (No.
230m Sampling line
830.1 3.0
200m
C1
610
150m 7105
A
C2
610
Datum
831
25m
7202
7208
50m
831
80m
7202
7208
100m
See Note 1
670
115m
584
584.1
130m
562
563
150m
Hard Traffic
shoulder lanes
A4/18 November 2009

Plan SV7: Traffic survey on a dual carriageway entry slip road - lane closure at the downstream end of the
slip road
Notes:
2. Depending on the length of the slip road, speed limit repeater signs may be required. For the spacing of these
repeater signs, see Chapter 8, Part 1: Design, Table 3.4, Note 1.
4. The distance shown on the sub-plate to diagram 563 should be that to the first traffic cone.
location of the end of the queue should be monitored and additional signs should be added on the slip road,
and at the junction, as necessary.
November 2009 A4/19

Part 4 TA 11/09 Example Traffic Count and Interview Forms
ANNEX 5 EXAMPLE TRAFFIC COUNT AND

INTERVIEW FORMS
ANNEX 5 EXAMPLE TRAFFIC COUNT AND INTERVIEW FORMS
These forms are to be used as a guide, final form questions and layouts to
reflect local circumstances and the needs of the survey, with classification,
origin, destination and journey purpose as a minimum.
LONDON & SOUTH EAST ENGLAND TRAVEL SURVEY
Logo and
RoadName/Location
Company Name
Interview Direction Yes 1 No2 Travel Direction bound
Date Site No. Lane No. 1/2 Hr Starting Enumerator No.

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
1. Car 25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
2. London Taxi 25
3. Other Taxi/Minicab 25
50
4. Motorcycle /Scooter 25
5. Pedal Cycle 25
6. Van (car based) 25

50
75
7. Van (4 tyres) 25
50
8. Light Goods Vehicle 25

(6 tyres no plate) 50
9. Medium Goods Vehicle 25
(6 tyres with plate) 50
10. HGV (3 axles) 25

50
11. Large HGV 25

(4+ axles) 50
75
12. Public Service Bus 25

50
13. Coach or Private Bus 25
14. Minibus 25
15. Other 25
54
November 2009 A5/1
A5/2
Example Traffic Count and Interview Forms

Annex 5
LONDON & SOUTH EAST ENGLAND TRAVEL SURVEY
Site Number Lane Number Interviewer Number Time Period Serial Number
Logo and Company Name
0
1 Screen DESTINATION: FULL POSTAL ADDRESS Dest. ORIGIN: FULL POSTAL ADDRESS Origin If vehicle Vehicle type 1-5 Vehicle Type:
1 Can you give me the address of your next stop Purpose Can you give me the address of your last stop Purpose type 6 1. Car
Vehicle If purpose is Home Purpose 2. London Taxi
Yes 1 To Station: From Station:
Type not 3 Destination 1 Origin 2 3. Other Taxi/Minicab
No 2 Are you going to take a train? Y N Have you just got off a train? Y N
What is your home postcode?
4. Motorcycle/Scooter
5. Pedal Cycle
DK 3 Property, street & number and locality as appropriate: Property, street & number and locality as appropriate: 6. Van (car based)
7. Van (4 tyres)
Vehicle Screen
8. Light Goods Vehicle
Occu- 2 (6 tyres, no plate)
pancy Yes 1 If Vehicle types 7-10 9. Medium Goods
Include purpose is Can you tell me what you are carrying?
3
(2 axles)
Driver No 2 Town/County Town/County
10. Heavy Goods Vehicle
DK 3 Other (3 + axles)
Postcode Postcode
11. Coach or Private Bus
12. Minibus
2 Screen DESTINATION: FULL POSTAL ADDRESS Dest. ORIGIN: FULL POSTAL ADDRESS Origin If vehicle Vehicle type 1-5
1 Can you give me the address of your next stop Purpose Can you give me the address of your last stop Purpose type 6 Purpose:
Vehicle If purpose is Home Purpose 1. Home
Yes 1 To Station: From Station:
Type not 3 Destination 1 Origin 2 2. Usual Workplace
What is your home postcode?
3. Collect/Deliver Goods
4. Other Work/Emp. Business
DK 3 Property, street & number and locality as appropriate: Property, street & number and locality as appropriate: 5. Shopping/Use Services
6. Sport / Entertainment/Social
Vehicle Screen
7. Education
Occu- 2 8. Hotel / Holiday Home
pancy Yes 1 If Vehicle types 7-10 9. Escort - Work
Include purpose is Can you tell me what you are carrying?
3
10.Escort - Education
Driver No 2 Town/County Town/County 11.Escort - Other
DK 3 Other
Postcode Postcode
Load:
3 Screen DESTINATION: FULL POSTAL ADDRESS Dest. ORIGIN: FULL POSTAL ADDRESS Origin If vehicle Vehicle type 1-5
1 Can you give the address of your next stop Purpose Can you give the address of your last stop Purpose type 6 Home Purpose 1. Agriculture, unprocessed
food
Vehicle If purpose is Destination 1
Type
Yes 1 To Station: From Station: Origin 2 2. Chemicals, rubber,
not 3
plastic
What is your home postcode? 3. Coal, ores, petrol
DK 3 Property, street & number and locality as appropriate: Property, street & number and locality as appropriate: 4. Processed food, drink,
tobacco
5. Metals, metal products
Vehicle Screen 6. Transport equipment
Volume 5 Section 1
Occu- 2
pancy Yes 1 If Vehicle types 7-10 7. Other mineral products
Include purpose is Can you tell me what you are carrying? 8. Textiles, papers, glass
Part 4 TA 11/09
55
November 2009
Driver No 2 Town/County Town/County 3 9. Machinery, electronic

10.Mail, parcels
Other
DK 3 Postcode Postcode 11.Tools etc (service vehicle)
12.Unknown
13.Empty
Part 4 TA 11/09 Example Leaflet
ANNEX 6 EXAMPLE LEAFLET
TRAVEL SURVEYS IN THE SOUTH EAST REGION OF ENGLAND
Transport for London and the Highways Agency are jointly carrying out a major programme of roadside
traffic surveys in the south-east region of England. The information from these surveys will be used to
develop and plan future investment in the transport system. Stopping vehicles and asking drivers about their
journeys is the only effective way of obtaining the required information and the Highways Agency, as Data
Controller, would be grateful for your assistance.
We should emphasise that although drivers are required to obey the instructions of the police officer,
participation in this one-day survey is purely voluntary. All information is collected on a strictly
confidential basis.
Address information is required to enable an accurate geographical location to be allocated when details of
journeys are analysed. Once this has been done the addresses and survey questionnaires will be destroyed.
If you would like more information about the survey, please ring the survey Helpline on [insert telephone
number] where you can speak to a representative of the Data Controller.
Finally, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the survey and thank you for your
co-operation. Every effort has been made to minimise delays and disruption to traffic.
Data collection by [insert name of Company] for the Highways Agency
Leaflets should cover why and how recipients have been selected, the purpose of the RSI and how it assists the
study and its objectives. It should also cover how to seek further information and ways to complain.
November 2009 A6/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 Managing Congestion
ANNEX 7 MANAGING CONGESTION
A7.1 Congestion is more likely to occur during peak Temporary Suspensions

periods at Stop/Go sites and sites involving lane
closures on dual carriageways. Where congestion is A7.6 When considering temporary suspensions, efforts
likely to be an issue, the survey design should reflect should be made to secure sufficient representative
this, either in reducing the number of questions, using cover within the peak periods. For example, if it is not
electronic data entry methods, altering the layout of the possible to survey the morning peak period throughout
site, changing the sample rate or considering a different without causing excessive delays, then it may be
survey method such as self completion postcard preferable to cover the periods 0600 to 0730 and
surveys. 0815 to 0900 hours rather than 0600 to 0800 hours.
Stop/Go Sites
A7.2 Interviewing can be suspended easily and

therefore levels of congestion can potentially be
controlled by interviewing little and often. If queues
start to build up rapidly the situation may arise where
suspensions become the rule and sample rates drop well
below desired levels.
A7.3 To maintain sample rates, queues should be

kept as short as possible even when congestion is
not a serious problem; allow traffic to be released
when queues exceed a predetermined limit or block
significant junctions; and distribute reply paid postcard
questionnaires intermittently if it becomes difficult to
achieve sufficient face-to-face interviews.
Dual-Carriageway Sites
A7.4 On short dual carriageway sections it may be

possible to open closed lanes for short periods to allow
traffic to flow. To avoid a lane closure during peak
periods it may be possible to issue postcards and then
revert to a lane closure with face-to-face interviews
when traffic conditions allow. However, removing
and reinstating extensive traffic management may be
difficult and time consuming.
Sites on Motorway Slip Roads
A7.5 Surveys on motorway entry slip roads are

generally carried out successfully without any major
problems. However, if the motorway mainline becomes
congested, queues can tail back through the site, causing
delays on the local highway network. Under these
circumstances it is recommended that the site should
be temporarily suspended until congestion eases on the
mainline. This allows queues to dissipate more quickly
and helps to maintain the co-operation of the travelling
public.
November 2009 A7/1

Part 4 TA 11/09 Sampling
ANNEX 8 SAMPLING
A8.1 A critical assumption, in this example, is and for case b), q is:
estimating the percentage of vehicles using a particular
road which are going to a specific destination (i.e., 0.20 (1-0.20) 30,0003
a single zone). The authority has taken a 16-hour
manual classified count of 30,000 vehicles per day and (600/1.96)2 (30,000 - 1) + 0.20 (1 - 0.20) 30,0002
estimates, from local knowledge, that it is unlikely
= 1,462 interviews required (about 5% of the
that more than 20% of the traffic will be going to the
total flow)
destination of interest. The authority wishes to know for
example: A8.3 In addition to wanting to know something
about traffic going to the first destination as above,
Either a) within a band of 10% i.e. +/- 5%
the authority may wish to know something about the
or b) within a band of 4% i.e. +/- 2%
proportion of traffic going to a second destination. The
What proportion of traffic is, in fact, going to the calculation needs to be repeated with the new estimate
destination? of traffic substituted in the formula. If it is considered
unlikely that the proportion of traffic going to the
A8.2 What proportion of the traffic will need to be second destination is more than 10% and the authority
interviewed? The general formula for determining the wish to know within a band of 10% i.e. +/-5%, what the
sample size q is: actual proportion is, then given Q = 30,000, P=0.10 and
E=1,500 (5% of 30,000) then the required sample q is
P(1-P)Q3 given by:
(E/1.96)2(Q-1) + P(1-P)Q2 10(1 - 0.10) 30,0003
where: Q = total traffic flow (1,500/1.96)2 (30,000 - 1) + 0.10 (1 - 0.10) 30,0002

E = acceptable error or accuracy (expressed as
a number of vehicles) = 138 interviews.
P = proportion above which it is unlikely that
the proportion of flow which is of interest A8.4 If the authority wishes to estimate for both
falls. destinations to within +/-5% then 138 interviews are
needed for the second destination and 244 interviews
In the above example: for the first. In this case 244 interviews would be carried
out, giving the estimate for the second destination to a
Q = 30,000 greater accuracy than is required.
P = 0.20
A8.5 When data is being collected for a large multi-
For case a) E = 1,500 (i.e. 5% of 30,000) zoned modal, it is impossible to calculate this for
For case b) E = 600 (i.e. 2% of 30,000) every O-D pair for each RSI site as the origins and
destinations are not yet known. Once a survey site has
Therefore, for case a), the required sample q is been established it is best practice to collect as much
given by: data as reasonably practical.
0.20 (1 - 0.20) 30,0003

(1,500/1.96)2 (30,000 - 1) + 0.20 (1 - 0.20) 30,0002
= 244 interviews required (about 1% of the

total flow)
November 2009 A8/1

Volume 5 Assessment and Preparation of Road Schemes Section 1 Assessment of Road Schemes Ta 11/09 Traffic Surveys by Roadside Interview

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DESIGN MANUAL FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES

volume 5 ASSESSMENT AND

TRAFFIC SURVEYS BY ROADSIDE

Having reliable information about existing journeys

instructions for use

This Advice Note includes advice on the layout

1. Remove existing contents page for Volume 5 and

2. Remove TA 11/81 from Volume 5, Section 1,

3. Insert TA 11/09 into Volume 5, Section 1, Part 4.

4. Please archive this sheet as appropriate.

Note: A quarterly index with a full set of Volume

the highways agency

welsh assembly government

the department for regional development

Traffic Surveys by Roadside

volume 5 ASSESSMENT AND

TRAFFIC SURVEYS BY ROADSIDE

3. Interview Site Locations and Layouts

4. Staffing and Site Operation

6. Alternative Survey Methods

7. Sampling and Address Coding

Annex 1 Definitions used in Roadside Interview

Annex 2 Legal Framework for England

Annex 3 Example Press Release

Annex 4 Signing Principles and Typical Site Layouts

Annex 5 Example Traffic Count and Interview Forms

Annex 6 Example leaflet

Annex 7 Managing Congestion

General 1.7 This Advice Note contains information on

1.2 The purpose of this Advice Note is to provide

1.3 The main terms used in this document are

1.4 This Advice Note should be read in conjunction

1.5 The overriding priority at any RSI is to ensure the

1.6 Following safety, effective site management is

November 2009 1/1

November 2009 2/1

drivers might divert from their normal routes and

2.12 The use of mobile telephones has significantly

2.13 An example press release is shown at Annex 3.

2.14 If requests for site visits are received from the

2.15 It is courtesy to notify Members of Parliament

2.16 Unless specifically designed to do so, surveys

2.17 It is sometimes not possible to undertake surveys

2/2 November 2009

3. INTERVIEW SITE LOCATIONS AND LAYOUTS

Locations 3.7 Interview surveys must not be carried out on

November 2009 3/1

Safety Clearances 3.21 The SLOW CENSUS POINT sign to diagram

3/2 November 2009

Traffic Queues to the national speed limit, a temporary mandatory

3.30 The siting distance of the first sign should be Lighting

3.35 A limit 20mph below the permanent one, with a

November 2009 3/3

4. STAFFING AND SITE OPERATION

Survey Staff Site Supervisor

one or two police officers/traffic officers to direct Arrangements on Site

November 2009 4/1

Interview Procedure and Questionnaire Traffic Management Team

4.19 The site supervisor retains overall control of the

4/2 November 2009

4.23 The police or traffic officer stands in the Site Diaries

4.25 A bias in the sample may be introduced if faster site closures;

4.27 Interviewers must not move cones to allow team size;