Methods of Collection: - Traffic
volume is the number of vehicles crossing a section of road per unit time at
any selected period. Traffic volume counts may be done by mechanical counters
or manually.
[1] Mechanical counters: - These
may be either fixed type or portable type. The mechanical counter can
automatically records the total number of vehicles crossing a section of the
road in a desired period. Traffic count
is recorded by electrically operated counters and recorders capable of
recording the impulses. Other methods of working the mechanical detectors are
photo – electric cells, magnetic detector and radar detectors.
[2] Manual Counts: - This method employs a field team
to record traffic volume on the prescribed record sheets. By this method it is
possible to obtain data which cannot be collected by mechanical counters, such
as vehicle classification, turning movements and counts where the loading
conditions or number of occupants are required. It is not practicable to have a
manual count for all the 24 hours of the day and on all days round the year.