Traffic Flow Variables

Traffic Flow

Types of Flow

Uninterrupted Flow: Flow occurring at long

sections of road where vehicles are not required to
stop by any cause external to the traffic stream

Interrupted Flow: Flow occurring at intersections

or driveways where vehicles are required to stop by
any cause outside the traffic stream such as traffic
signs (‘STOP’ or ‘YIELD’), traffic signal lights, etc.

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Traffic Flow Variables

1. Flow rate or volume -the number of vehicles passing a

point during a specified period of time. (q)
2. Speed - rate of motion in distance per unit time (u)
3. Density or concentration - the number of vehicles in a
given length of road at an instant point in time. (k)

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Flow rate or volume

Observation Point

N
q T - observation period
T N - vehicles passing in time T

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Speed Time mean speed

x
ui   3.6 ui
ti

n x
u i
ut  i 1
Example:
n u1 = 30 kph.
ui – speed of vehicle i, in kph. u2 = 40 kph.
ti – time it takes for vehicle i to traverse u3 = 50 kph.
the trap length, in sec.
x - trap length, in meters.
n – number of vehicles observed in T 30  40  50
ut   40kph.
ut – time mean speed, kph. 3
also called spot speed.
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Speed Space mean speed

Based on average travel time ui

L
ti 
ui
L
1
L
_
t 
 t i

ui
n n Example:
u1 = 30 kph.
u2 = 40 kph.
L
us  _
u3 = 50 kph.
t
3
or
us 
n us   38.30kph.
1 1 1
 
n
1

i 1 ui 30 40 50
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Density or concentration

1
2

n 3

k 
L n

If there are 100 vehicles in 1 km.

k = 100veh/km.

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Other Traffic Flow Variables:

Headway - time interval between passage of consecutive vehicles at a

specified point on the road

1
ht 
q
Spacing - distance between 2 vehicles measured from the front bumper
of a vehicle to another
Ultrasonic
1 Detector
s
k voltage

pulse

Time Occupancy
time

t (time the vehicle is detected

n underneath detector)

t i Detector’s Output
Ot  i 1
 100%
T
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Observed Relationships

Fundamental Relationships:
South Luzon Expressway
(Inner Lane)
q-k relation

u-k relation q-u relation

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Relationship of Flow, Speed, and
Density
• q = usk
• (veh/hr = km/hr  veh/km )

Fundamental Relationships: CAPACITY

us q us
uf qmax uf
us = uf(1-k/kj)
um

k
kj k q
km qmax

u-k relation q-k relation q-u relation

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Capacity and Level of Service

Capacity: the maximum hourly rate at which vehicles

can reasonably be expected to traverse a point or
uniform section of a lane or roadway during a given
time period under prevailing roadway, traffic and
control conditions.

Level of Service (LOS): a qualitative description of

how a certain facility is performing.

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Capacity (Example: Philippines)
Road Type Carriageway Width, m. Roadside Friction Basic Capacity
(pcu/hr in both directions)
Highway  4.0 None or Light 600

Highway 4.1 – 5.0 None or Light 1200

Highway 5.1 – 5.5 None or Light 1800

Highway 5.6 – 6.1 None or Light 1900

Highway 6.2 – 6.5 None or Light 2000

Highway 6.6 – 7.3 None or Light 2400

Highway 2 x 7.0 None or Light 7200 (Expressway)

Urban Street  6.0 Heavy 1200

Urban Street 6.1 – 6.5 Heavy 1600

Urban Street 6.6 – 7.3 Heavy 1800

Urban Street 2 x 7.0 Heavy 6700

Multi-lane Highways
No. of lanes per direction 2 3 4

Capacity, pcu/hr/lane 1800 1750 1700

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Volume-Capacity Ratio and LOS

speed
LOS Volume/Capacity Description

A Less than 0.20 Free flow

A
B B 0.21-0.50 Free flow
C
C 0.51-0.70 Moderate
D
D 0.71-0.85 Moderate to
E
heavy
E 0.86 – 1.00 Heavy

F F Greater than 1.0 Forced flow,

stop & go

0.20 0.50 0.70 0.85 1.0 volume/capacity

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Detailed Description of LOS

Level of Service Description

A Free flow, with low volumes and high speeds. Drivers are virtually unaffected by the presence of others.
Little or no restriction in maneuverability and speed

B The level of comfort and convenience provided is somewhat less than at LOS A. Zone of stable flow with
operating speeds beginning to be restricted somewhat by traffic conditions. Drivers will have reasonable
freedom to select their speed but there is a decline in freedom to maneuver within the traffic stream from
LOS A.

C Still in zone of stable flow, but speed and maneuverability are most closely controlled by higher volumes.
Most of the drivers are restricted in the freedom to select their own speed, lane changing or overtaking
maneuvers. The level of comfort and convenience declines noticeably at this level.

D Approaches unstable flow. Speed and freedom to maneuver are severely restricted, and driver experiences
a generally poor level of comfort and convenience. Small increases in traffic flow will generally cause
operational problems.

E Flow is unstable, and there may be stoppages of momentary condition. Represents operating conditions at
or near capacity level. All speeds are reduced to allow but relatively uniform value. Freedom to maneuver
within the traffic stream is extremely difficult, and it is generally accomplished by forcing a vehicle to “give
way” to accommodate such maneuver.

F Forced or breakdown flow. The amount of traffic approaching a point exceeds the amount which can
traverse the points. Queues form behind such locations. Operation within the queue are characterized by
stop-and-go waves, extremely unstable. It is the point at which arrival flow which causes the queue to form.

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LOS A LOS B

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LOS C LOS D

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LOS E LOS F

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Example

Segment of a 4-lane divided expressway

For the heavy direction:

• Peak hour factor: 8%; Directional Distribution: 60%

Daily Volume:
Assumed pcu values:
Vehicle Type Volume, veh/day
Car 35,200 Car 1.0
Van 1,500 Van 1.4
Bus 3,100 Bus or Truck 2.2
Truck 2,850

Determine the LOS of the expressway.

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Solution

Veh/day pcu equiv. pcu/day Pcu/hr Pcu/hr heavy

direction

35,200 1 35200 2816 1689.6

1,500 1.4 2100 168 100.8
3,100 2.2 6820 545.6 327.36
2,850 2.2 6270 501.6 300.96
Total 42650 50390 4031.2 2418.72
Peak hour volume in pcu/hr/direction =
Veh/day * pcu equiv * peak hour factor * dir distribution

Capacity = 2*1,800 = 3,600 pcu/hr.

volume.capacity ratio = 2,418.72  3,600 = 0.67

 LOS is C
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