Helmand University
Engineering Faculty
Traffic and Highway Engineering
FOURTH EDITION
By: Nicholas J. Garber Lester A. Hoel
Lecturer: Eng. Ataullah Omari
Academic Year: 2024 (1403)
Fundamentals of Traffic
Flow Theory
Lecture 2
Lecturer: Eng. Ataullah Omari
Lecture Outlines
❑ Introduction to Traffic Flow
❑ Fundamental Variables in Traffic Engineering
❑ Traffic Flow Models
❑ Traffic Flow Regimes
❑ Traffic Flow Fundamental Diagram
❑ Data Collection Methods
❑ Traffic Flow Parameters
❑ Peak Hour Factor (PHF) in Traffic Engineering
❑ Level of Service (LOS)
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Introduction to Traffic Flow
❑ Definition: Traffic flow refers to the study of
the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
❑ Importance: Used for highway design, traffic
management, and congestion mitigation.
[Link]
[Link]
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Fundamental Variables in Traffic Engineering
❑ Flow (q): Vehicles per unit time (veh/hr).
❑ Speed (u): Distance traveled per unit time (km/hr or mph).
❑ Density (k): Vehicles per unit distance (veh/km or veh/mile).
❑ Relationship: 𝑞 = 𝑢 × 𝑘.
Table: Example values for flow, speed, and density.
Flow (q) Speed (u) Density (k)
1200 veh/hr 60 km/hr 20 veh/km
1500 veh/hr 50 km/hr 30 veh/km
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Example Calculation
▪ Given: 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = 60 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟, 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 20 𝑣𝑒ℎ/𝑘𝑚.
▪ Calculate flow rate:
𝑣𝑒ℎ
𝑞 = 𝑢 × 𝑘 = 60 × 20 = 1200 .
ℎ𝑟
Variable Value
Speed (u) 60 km/hr
Density (k) 20 veh/km
Flow (q) 1200 veh/hr
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Traffic Flow Models
❑ Definition: "Mathematical or computational
tools used to describe and predict traffic
behavior."
❑ Purpose: "To analyze traffic patterns,
optimize road design, and reduce
congestion."
1. Microscopic Models:
• Focus: Individual vehicles.
2. Macroscopic Models:
• Focus: Traffic as a whole (flow, density,
speed).
[Link]
3. Mesoscopic Models: 10/[Link]
• Focus: Groups of vehicles (a middle
ground).
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Traffic Flow Models
A. Greenshield Model or Macroscopic Model
❑ It provides a simplified yet fundamental understanding
of how traffic speed, density, and flow interact.
❑ Linear relationship between speed and density:
𝑘
𝑢 = 𝑢𝑓 1 − .
𝑘𝑗
• uf: Free-flow speed.
• kj: Jam density.
❑ Application: Highway capacity analysis, traffic flow
❑ Jam Density (kj): The condition where traffic comes to a
complete stop due to high vehicle concentration, typically
measured in vehicles per kilometer.
[Link]
mgDetMain
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Traffic Flow Regimes
❑ Uncongested Flow: Vehicles move
freely with minimal interaction.
❑ Saturated Flow: Traffic operates
near capacity, with reduced speeds.
❑ Oversaturated Flow: Demand
exceeds capacity, leading to
congestion and queue formation.
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A queue in traffic flow theory refers to a line of vehicles waiting to pass through a point, such as a traffic signal, stop sign, or
bottleneck.
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Traffic Flow Fundamental Diagram
❑ The Traffic Flow Fundamental Diagram is a
key concept in traffic engineering and
transportation theory. It describes the
relationship between three primary variables in
traffic flow:
1. Flow (q): The number of vehicles passing a
point per unit of time (e.g., vehicles per hour).
2. Density (k): The number of vehicles per unit
length of road (e.g., vehicles per kilometer).
3. Speed (v): The average speed of vehicles on the
road.
[Link]
Varia/publication/343954023/figure/fig1/AS:983454963490816@1611485343298/Spee
[Link]
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Traffic Data Collection Methods
❑ Manual counts: Observers recording traffic.
❑ Automatic traffic counters: Inductive loops, radar sensors.
❑ Video recording: Image processing for vehicle detection.
❑ Emerging technologies: Drones, GPS, IoT sensors.
[Link]
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Traffic Flow Parameters
❑ Peak hour volume (PHV): Maximum flow in an hour.
❑ Average daily traffic (ADT): Average vehicles per day.
❑ Annual average daily traffic (AADT): Average vehicles per day over a year.
Table: Example of traffic flow parameters.
Parameter Value
PHV 1200 veh/hr
ADT 18,000 veh/day
AADT 20,000 veh/day
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Peak Hour Factor (PHF) in Traffic Engineering
❑ PHF is a measure of traffic demand variation during peak hours.
❑ It helps analyze how evenly traffic is distributed over an hour.
❑ Higher PHF values indicate stable traffic flow, while lower values show peak-hour congestion.
❑ Formula:
❑ Where:
• Total Hourly Volume = sum of traffic over 60 minutes.
• Peak 15-minute Volume = highest traffic volume recorded in a 15-minute period.
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Peak Hour Factor (PHF) in Traffic Engineering cont.
PHF Interpretation and Acceptable Ranges
• Highways & Expressways: 0.85 – 0.95
• Urban Arterial Roads: 0.80 – 0.90
• Suburban Roads: 0.75 – 0.85
• Rural Highways: 0.70 – 0.85
• Signalized Intersections: 0.75 – 0.90
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Peak Hour Factor (PHF) in Traffic Engineering cont.
Example Calculation of PHF
❑ Given Data:
❑ Since PHF = 0.863, there is noticeable fluctuation in traffic demand, meaning congestion builds
up in short bursts.
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Peak Hour Factor (PHF) in Traffic Engineering cont.
Real-World Application – Roadway Expansion Decision
❑ Scenario: A congested four-lane arterial road is under evaluation.
❑ Traffic Data: Peak 15-min volume = 600, Total Hourly Volume = 2,070
PHF Calculation:
❑ Decision: Since PHF < 0.90, congestion is worsening → Possible solutions:
• Additional lane construction
• Traffic demand management strategies
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Level of Service (LOS)
❑ Level of Service (LOS) is a qualitative measure used to describe the operational conditions
within a transportation facility, such as a roadway, intersection, or transit system.
❑ LOS is typically expressed using a letter grade ranging from A (best) to F (worst).
Table: LOS criteria for highways.
LOS Description Speed (km/hr) Density (veh/km)
A Free flow >100 <10
B Stable flow 80-100 10-20
C Moderate flow 60-80 20-30
D Approaching unstable 40-60 30-40
E Unstable <40 40-50
F Breakdown <20 >50
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Thank you
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