Methodology for conducting Traffic Volume Counts

• Locations for different type of traffic surveys to be identified after detailed

reconnaissance survey by the traffic engineer in concurrence with the team leader
and in consultation with the client.

• The survey locations should be reasonably away from the influence of urban / local
traffic and close to a place from where necessary facilities like electricity, water, food
are available.

• The selected site should be safe, with adequate shoulders, having good visibility and
a straight section to the extent available.

• Proper tents should be erected at appropriate safe locations from where the traffic is
clearly visible for counting.

• Ensure adequate lighting for night counts (atleast 3 tubes in each tent) the light is
also needed to identify the type of the vehicle like number of axles etc.

• Petromax / gaslights or torches can be used as a standby in case of power failure for
short durations only and are not sufficient for full time night counts.

• The survey should start on a working day morning, avoid starting surveys on
evenings / holidays

• Traffic engineer should conduct sample counts in each direction to identify the
requirement of number of enumerators / relievers / supervisors at each location.

• For major national highways, eight to ten enumerators per shift (depending on traffic)
are required for each survey station (Four to Five in each direction) in addition two
relievers for each direction are required.

• Enumerators should be educated enough to read the survey format and be able to
understand the difference between different type of vehicles.

• Survey formats must be properly printed and if photocopied they should be legible

• Translate the survey format in the local language for those who cannot read English
(if adequate enumerators who can read English are not available) and explain the
survey format for their understanding.

• Printing pictures of each category of vehicles in their respective column of the survey
format, shall help enumerators to understand and identify type of vehicles, who
cannot read English properly

• Enumerators must be clearly explained about the project, its importance, the type of
survey and its methodology.
• It is very necessary to explain them the importance of the contribution (work done)
by each one of them.

• The traffic engineer with the help of coordinator should arrange for tents, tables,
chairs, writing pads, pen, torches, files, etc. on both sides of the road and for each
location before the commencement of the survey.

• Conduct a sample one hour count and monitor them to rectify any kind of mistakes.

• All the above activities must be finalized at least one day before the commencement
of the actual survey.

• All the enumerators (including night shift ones) should be present at site at least one
hour before the scheduled start of survey for first day.

• Let the second and / or third shift enumerators be continued to stay for two to three
hours to clearly to understand the actual survey or ensure second and or third shift
enumerators to be present at site at least one hour before the start of their
respective shift (s) to understand the survey.

• Second day onwards enumerators of respective shifts can reach the site by 15 to 30
minutes before each shift

• Both the supervisors must present during the beginning of the survey for at-least 3 to
4 hours, then the night supervisor may relax.

• Monitoring of TVC survey by traffic engineers at night time is essential as it has been
observed that during night time enumerators, supervisors become casual or sleepy.

• The traffic engineer shall also ensure that nobody from the proposed survey team
should sleep at the survey location at night (anytime).

• Do not allow anyone to sleep during night (even at shifts for 2 to 3 hours) as it tends
others feel sleepy, even if the traffic volume is less

• For the entire duration of survey there must be designated number of enumerators
present at survey location even if the traffic volume is less, especially during night

• Every supervisor must carryout checks for each vehicle type in both the directions
regularly.

• Any discrepancy / mistakes in the data must be checked and corrected during the
initial period of the survey, otherwise the problem would continue for the entire
period of survey.

• All the details such as date / day / direction / location / chainage etc., must be filled
by Traffic Engineer on the first page.
• Subsequently, respective enumerators must fill all the details on each page of every
shift and signed

• Supervisor must thoroughly check each page before signing each page

• Do not allow the enumerators to make counts / summary sheets during their shift.

• Every supervisor / enumerator present at site must always be wearing the safety
jacket and cap.

• The team leader and all the traffic engineers deployed at the site should be available
on phone for 24 hrs.

• The team leader should make adequate site visits during the survey period.

• Ensure sufficient survey formats are made available at site in advance and the
completed data sheets should be handed over to traffic engineer on daily basis by
concerned supervisors.

• Inform the location and date of survey to the nearest police station well in advance
for general security cover especially during night.

• Take sufficient photographs showing working enumerators along with supervisor

with prominent land marks and road (s) in the background.