TASK A

1.
1. Manual survey method – As the name implies, this type of survey method is utilized
to obtain data manually. Though there are a lot of modern technology today, some
surveys are best achieved manually. This survey tends to be short and mainly done
at a particular focused location. Unlike other survey methods, this method is faster,
no setup is required, turning movements are easier to track and it can most certainly
tell the difference between a truck and a car. The type of data which can be
achieved manually using manual survey are
i. Traffic counts at focused locations, done before 24 hours
ii. Speed or travel time data at focused locations, e.g. Roundabouts, busy dual
carriage roads, and junctions.
iii. Observation survey and focused locations for short time intervals.
iv. Intersection delay for short time intervals.
There are two methods of manual survey method which are:
a. Direct method – this is involves the use the hand tally e.g. hand counters.
b. Indirect method – this involves the use of a video recording device, this method can be
done for a long time and produces less stress and less chance of errors, and the data is
collected later by rewinding the footage. E.g. traffic cameras to check traffic volume.

g 1. Hand Tally Counter 4 Digit (MACHINEMART, 2015)

Fig 2. Secure camera with traffic light and sign (SHUTTERSTOCK, 2015)

2. Automatic survey method - This is a method done manually without any human
involvement, it provides more accurate data than that of the manual survey method
and it is of two types:
a. Semi-automated survey method – This survey method is based on the use of pneumatic
tubes and a wide category of recording devices that be connected to such tubes. The
crucial attribute the semi-automated survey method has, is that the devices are handy
and can be stirred from a location to another.

Fig 1. Pneumatic Road Tube Counter (RODRIGUE, 2011)

 Fig 2. MC5600 Vehicle Classifier System (METROCOUNT, 2013)
b. Fully automated survey method – this method relies on permanently installed sensors,
with connections to a computer station. The growth of the sensor technology is rapidly
increasing, the same sensor can be used to observe traffic data. In the world today there
are more cars on the road, bigger carriage ways, more traffic volume, and rapidly
increasing sensor technology, e.g. radar gun (the police use this to monitor speed), this
has led to a new kind of automated survey method, . Also satellites can be used but the
problem might be the cost, electronic storage and storing capabilities are all behind the
sensor technology.

2.
Table 1. Difference between manual and automated data collection technique

Manual data collection technique Automated data collection technique

Much faster Less faster
Less expensive More expensive
no setup is required Setup is required
Turning movements are easier to observe. Turning movements are harder to observe.
Lower accuracy than the automated Better accuracy than the manual technique
technique
Easier technique Harder technique

I would take the Manuel data collection technique because of the reasons below-
 1. It is much faster as we cannot spend too much time there.
2. It requires little or no money, and as a student, being economical should be the number
one priority.
3. No setup is required and can be done immediately when on site.
4. This technique can be done in pairs or in groups, so it saves time and all areas are
covered.
5. Turning movements are easier to observe.
6. Though it may have lower accuracy than the automated technique, government
restrictions are there (so we can’t use any automated equipment on site).
Thus with all of this reasons I have decided to choose the manual data survey method
will best fit this to survey the site.

3.
Strengths and weakness –

1. Turning movements are easier to track – the project is a roundabout, meaning the cars
will be on a turning motion, on a manual survey an observer can spot turning
movements that are harder to track on an automatic survey. Though continues turning
movements can lead to dizziness, fatigue, and neck strain.
2. The operation of the apparatus on this survey is less complicated than the automatic
survey. On sight it will be much easier to operate. The basis of manual survey just
requires standing and observing the roundabout. Though it is easy, it is hard for an
observer to keep track of the volume and speed of vehicles passing and errors could
emerge.
3. The weather might play a role in the survey, because standing on site under the sun for
a time and watching cars going through a turning motion, might affect eye sight and can
cause some observers to have errors in results.
4. This survey is more efficient when done in groups, if in a group of six, two observers
could observe per road (3 main roads). Though, observation conflict (observing the
same thing) and poor lack of observation skills could lead to errors.
5. The use of pairs in the survey is very important because if not applied they will be huge
problems, when observing the observer has to manually record data, observe the data.
6. The technique has a lower accuracy compared to the automatic survey. This technique
was used commonly in 1900’s, on site lower accuracy could occur because of human
errors, such as lack of concentration, weather and speed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ALAM, T. (2015). Traffic Volume Studies. [Online] Slideshare.net. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/tanviralam31337/traffic-volume-studies [Accessed on 20 Nov.
2015].

MACHINEMART. Hand Tally Counter 4 Digit. [Online image] Available at:

https://dccf75d8gej24.cloudfront.net/images/products/04/040211925/053EAC6E-91FE-41C5-
8207-E1805C586452-large.jpg [Accessed on 20 Nov. 2015].

METROCOUNT, (2013). MC5600 Vehicle Classifier System. [Online image] Available at:
http://metrocount.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MC5600-Traffic-Counter-2-of-3.jpg
[Accessed on 20 Nov. 2015].

RODRIGUE, J. (2011). Pneumatic Road Tube Counter. [Online image] Available at:
https://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/methods/img/pneumatic_counter.jpg [Accessed on
20 Nov. 2015].

SHUTTERSTOCK. Secure camera with traffic light and sign. [Online image] Available at:
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/551464/551464,1276376569,3/stock-
photo-secure-camera-with-traffic-light-and-sign-55056763.jpg [Accessed on 20 Nov. 2015].

Slideshare.net, (2014). Traffic volume study. [Online] Available at:

http://www.slideshare.net/kalpatarudas/traffic-volume-study-39522140 [Accessed on 20 Nov.
2015].