Handbook of Simplified
Practice for Traffic Studies
Sponsored by the
Iowa Department of Transportation
and Iowa Highway Research Board
Iowa DOT Project TR-455
Prepared by
Handbook of Simplified Practice for
Traffic Studies
Iowa DOT Project TR-455
CTRE Project 01-80
November 2002
Principal Investigator
Duane Smith
Graduate Research Assistant
Jeff McIntyre
Editor
Mark Anderson-Wilk
Illustrator
Sarah Moreau
Center for Transportation Research and Education
Iowa State University
2901 South Loop Drive, Suite 3100
Ames, Iowa 50010-8632
Telephone: 515-294-8103
Fax: 515-294-0467
www.ctre.iastate.edu
Preparation of this report was financed in part through funds provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation
through its research management agreement with the Center for Transportation Research and Education.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily
those of the Iowa Department of Transportation or the Iowa Highway Research Board.
CTREs mission is to develop and implement innovative methods, materials, and technologies for improving
transportation efficiency, safety, and reliability while improving the learning environment of students, faculty, and
staff in transportation-related fields.
Contents
Glossary of Terms ................................................. inside front cover
1. Introduction
Background ..................................................................................................................
Objectives .....................................................................................................................
Contributions and Acknowledgments ...........................................................................
Identified Common Traffic Studies ...............................................................................
1.1
1.1
1.2
1.2
Traffic Studies
Studies:
2. Spot Speed
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2.1
Speed Percentiles and How to Use Them ................................................................... 2.2
Stopwatch Method ........................................................................................................ 2.4
Radar Meter Method ................................................................................................... 2.11
Pneumatic Road Tube Method ................................................................................... 2.17
Contracting for a Spot Speed Study ........................................................................... 2.21
References ................................................................................................................. 2.24
3. Traffic Volume Counts
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3.1
Using Count Period to Determine Study Method ......................................................... 3.1
Manual Count Method .................................................................................................. 3.2
Automatic Count Method .............................................................................................. 3.9
Examples of Traffic Volume Count Studies ................................................................ 3.12
Contracting Out for a Traffic Volume Count Study ..................................................... 3.14
References ................................................................................................................. 3.17
4. Sight Distance
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4.1
Intersection Sight Distance ........................................................................................... 4.1
Sight Distance Study Methods ..................................................................................... 4.4
Uncontrolled Intersections ............................................................................................ 4.5
Intersections with Stop Sign Control .......................................................................... 4.12
Stopping Sight Distance ............................................................................................. 4.18
Contracting Out for a Sight Distance Study ................................................................ 4.23
References ................................................................................................................. 4.26
5. Crash Analysis
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5.1
Key Steps to a Crash Analysis Study ........................................................................... 5.1
Example Crash Analysis Study .................................................................................. 5.10
Contracting Out for a Crash Analysis Study ............................................................... 5.18
References ................................................................................................................. 5.21
6. School Zone Program
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6.1
Responsibility for the Safety of School Pedestrians ..................................................... 6.2
Key Steps to a School Zone Program .......................................................................... 6.2
Example School Zone Program Study ....................................................................... 6.13
Contracting Out for a School Zone Program Study .................................................... 6.16
References ................................................................................................................. 6.19
7. Appendixes:
A. Spot Speed Study Data Forms ................................................................................ 7.1
B. Traffic Volume Count Intersection Tally Sheet.......................................................... 7.5
C. Sight Distance Diagram Form .................................................................................. 7.6
D. Crash Analysis Field Observation Report, Software Instructions, and Guidelines .. 7.7
E. Project Work Order (Contracting Out) .................................................................... 7.45
