i) The simplest method of finding spot speed is by using endoscope. ii) The observer is stationed on one side of the road and starts a stopwatch when a vehicle crosses that section iii) An endoscope is placed at a convenient distance of 50m in such a way that the image of vehicle is seen by the observer when the vehicle crosses the section, where the endoscope is fixed and at this instant, the stop watch is stopped. iv) Thus the time required for vehicle to cross the known length is found and converted to the speed in km/hr.
OR
There are three methods:
A) Average speed of vehicles
B) Cumulative speed distribution method
C) Modal average method
A) Average speed of vehicles:
From the spot speed data of the selected samples, frequency distribution table of spot speed data is prepared by arranging the speed groups covering desired speed ranges and the number of vehicles in such speed range. The arithmetic mean of the measured speeds is taken as the average spot speed of all the vehicles in the stream. The table gives the general information of the speeds maintained on the section and also regarding the speed distribution pattern.
B) Cumulative speed distribution method: A graph is plotted with the average values of each speed group on the X-axis and the cumulative percent of vehicles at or below the different speeds on the Y-axis. The 85th percentile speed' is determined i.e., the speed at or below which 85 percent of the vehicles are passing the point on the highway can be assessed, only 15 per cent of the vehicles exceed this speed at that spot. The drivers exceeding 85th percentile speed are usually considered to drive faster than the safe speed under existing conditions. Hence this speed is adopted for the 'safe speed limit' at this zone. However, for the purpose of highway geometric design 98 th percentile speed is taken. The 15th percentile speed represents the lower speed limit, to prohibit slow moving vehicles to decrease delay and congestion.
C) Modal average method:
A Frequency distribution curve of spot speed is plotted with speed of vehicles on X axis and the percentage of vehicles in that group on Y axis.
This graph is called Speed distribution curve.