Faculty of Environment &

Technology
Academic Year: 2015/16
Examination Period: January

Module Leader: John Parkin

Module Code: UBGLXP-15-3
Title of Module: Traffic Safety and Management
Work Item Code: A

Duration of Examination: 2 Hours

Standard materials required for this examination:

Examination Answer Booklet Yes

Multiple Choice Answer Sheet No

Type of paper e.g. G3, G14 0
Graph Paper
Number of sheets per student 0

Additional materials required for this examination:

Details of additional material supplied by UWE:

To be collected with Answer Booklet (please delete as appropriate) N/A

Details of approved material supplied by Student:

Students MUST bring with them their own copy of the Transport Data Sheet.
Students are allowed to have annotated this sheet before the examination.

To be collected with Answer Booklet (please delete as appropriate) No

University approved Calculator Yes

Candidates permitted to keep Examination Question Paper Yes

Candidates are NOT permitted to turn the page

over until the exam starts
.

UBGLXP-15-3 Page 1 of 4
Instructions to Candidates:

Candidates must answer all THREE questions.

Question 1: Traffic flow and speed

1) a) Identify two methods of conducting Origin and Destination surveys

and compare their advantages and disadvantages.
6 marks
b) The information shown in Table Q1 relates to a Moving Observer
Survey of flows and speeds over a 2.2 km length of road.
Table Q1
Number Number
of of Number of
vehicles vehicles vehicles
met overtaking overtaken
(opposing test by test
Time over course flow) vehicle vehicle
Minutes Seconds
Observer travelling Northwards
2 36 74 2 0
2 48 50 4 0
2 43 48 3 1
2 21 79 0 3
2 27 89 1 2
2 35 62 3 1
Observer travelling Southwards
2 00 99 0 1
2 02 72 0 1
2 22 113 2 0
2 15 105 0 0
2 17 79 0 0
2 10 84 2 2

i) Calculate the flow and speed of traffic in each direction. Quote

your answers in vehicles per hour to the nearest whole vehicle
per hour and kilometres per hour to one decimal place of
accuracy. Ensure you carry sufficient significant figures through
your calculation to achieve these levels of accuracy in your
answer.
15 marks
ii) Comment on the differences in flow and speed in the two
directions and state which direction you consider to be the flow
into an urban (built up) area if the measurements were taken in
the morning peak?
4 marks

25 marks

UBGLXP-15-3 Page 2 of 4
Question 2: Traffic safety

2) a) Describe a procedure for undertaking a highway collision investigation

at a single site. Sketch the following symbols commonly used on
collision diagrams: a rear end shunt; an overturn; a vehicle with
pedestrian collision; a side swipe collision.
7 marks
b) There were 24 collisions in a 5 year period before a speed limit was
introduced on a section of road. There were 10 collisions in a five year
period after the introduction of the speed limit. In the rest of the
highway authority area the number of collisions reduced from 200 in
the 5 year before period to 178 in the 5 year after period. Determine
whether or not the change in collision rate on the section of road is
statistically significant at the 5% level and the 10% level.
12 marks

c) The section of road described in (b) consists of two Sections, A and B,

which are distinct in character. Table Q2 below shows how the
collisions have been spread across the two sections in the before and
after five year periods. Without performing the calculation, suggest,
with reasoned justification, whether you would expect to see a
significant difference at the 5% level for the change in the number of
accidents for each section.
Table Q2
Before After
Section A 16 5
Section B 8 5

6 marks

Total 25 marks

UBGLXP-15-3 Page 3 of 4
Question 3: Traffic Management

3 a) Show graphically the theoretical relationships between speed and

flow, speed and density, and flow and density for a traffic stream.
Indicate the position of the free flow speed, the jam density and the
maximum flow where appropriate on each graph. Explain how these
graphs are developed for determining practical lane capacities in link
road designs.
5 marks

b) Describe the traffic management measures and associated

infrastructure that are typically employed along a section of ‘managed
motorway’. With reference to the theory of traffic flow, explain how
such measures are intended to improve the flow of traffic on the
motorway.
11 marks

c) The free flow speed of a traffic stream is 80 km/hr and the jam density
250 veh/km. Assuming a linear relationship between speed and
density, calculate:
i) the maximum possible flow, and the speed at which it occurs; and
2 marks

ii) the density of the traffic stream when vehicles are flowing freely on
the highway at a flow of 1250 veh/hr.
7 marks

Total 25 marks
END OF QUESTION PAPER

UBGLXP-15-3 Page 4 of 4