Private transport engineering: Traditional traffic count data measurement

Welcome to this unit! This is the first step into understanding the collection method for one of the most fundamental data types for traffic engineers-traffic counts!

In this video, we explore how traffic counts, a key form of traffic flow data, are collected using traditional manual methods. Conrad demonstrates this process through a real-world project conducted at a busy roundabout in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. You’ll learn how to set up a survey team, use traffic counting forms, and gather detailed vehicle movement data segmented by type and time intervals.

Conrad also highlights the purpose of such surveys, including identifying peak traffic hours, determining vehicle volumes, and assessing intersection performance to inform design decisions, such as reallocating road space for pedestrians.

This method, while effective, is labour-intensive and prone to errors—limitations Conrad acknowledges as he introduces the upcoming focus on automated and innovative data collection techniques in the next unit. Don’t forget to download the survey form here and try it out yourself