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Traffic conditions can range from almost free flow to highly congested conditions when
the roadways are jammed with slow moving vehicles. The basic variables that can describe the
existing conditions can be determined within a vehicles stream flow, concentration, and mean
speed. The fundamental relationship of these three elements can be used for several traffic
events. Consider the case of vehicles following each other on a long stretch of roadway.
Furthermore, assume that these vehicles are not required to interrupt their motion for reasons that
are external to the traffic stream, such as traffic lights, and transit stations. In this case of
uninterrupted flows the only interference that a single vehicle experiences is caused by other
vehicles on the roadway (1).
Scope:
The study was conducted on Georgia Ave NW between the intersecting roads of Howard
Pl NW and Barry Pl NW. This street is composed of 4 lanes, 2 northbound and 2 southbound.
The traffic flow study was performed on the 2 lanes southbound towards the intersection of
Barry Place NW and Georgia Ave NW. The location is surrounded with local restaurants, bus
stops, Howard University, college dorms, parking lots, Baseball Park, Banneker Recreation
Center, and 2 intersecting roads; Barry Place NW and Howard Place NW.
Methodology and Data Collection:
The flow rate data was collected on Georgia Ave NW
southbound towards the Barry Place NW for 30 minutes on
Thursday, September 4th from 8:30pm to 9:00pm. To
Reference
point
Reference
point
Analysis of Result:
To calculate the traffic flow rate, the equation q=n/t , where q= traffic flow in vehicles
per unit time, n = number of vehicles passing some designated roadway point during time t, and
t= duration of time interval, was used (3). Theoretically, the flow rate can used to find the traffic
volume by multiplying the number of vehicles found in 30 minutes by 2 to determine the volume
for an hour.
Time (min)
30
60
Vehicles(n)
262
524
Traffic flow(q)
8.73
8.73
Conclusion/ Recommendations:
The traffic flow rate on southbound Georgia Ave NW between Barry Place NW and
Howard Place was computed to be 524 vehicles / hour.
References
1.
McShane, William R., and Roger P. Roess. Traffic Engineering. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River
N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 2011. 107. Print.
3.
<http://www.tft2010.inrets.fr/papers/10-7-i4.pdf>.
McShane, William R., and Roger P. Roess. Traffic Engineering. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River