Understanding IRC: 9-1972 - Traffic Census on Non-Urban Roads

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The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) has established guidelines for conducting traffic censuses on non-urban roads through its document IRC: 9-1972. This standard serves as a crucial resource for highway planning, providing essential data that informs decision-making and infrastructure development.

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Background

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Originally published in 1960, the IRC: 9-1972 standard underwent revisions to enhance its effectiveness. The revised standard was approved by the Specifications and Standards Committee in November 1971 and subsequently by the Executive Committee in April 1972. The final version was ratified by the IRC Council during its 78th meeting in July 1972, solidifying its role in traffic data collection.

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Importance of Traffic Census

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Periodic traffic censuses are vital for understanding traffic patterns and volumes on non-urban roads. They provide essential data that can be used for:

• Highway Planning: Informing the design and construction of new roads and the maintenance of existing ones.
• Traffic Management: Understanding peak and lean traffic periods to optimize road usage.
• Policy Formulation: Assisting in the development of transportation policies and funding allocations.

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Scope of the Standard

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Uniformity in Operations

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The IRC emphasizes the need for uniformity in traffic census operations across the country. This consistency ensures that data collected is comparable and reliable, facilitating better planning and decision-making.

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Focus on Key Routes

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The standard recommends that traffic census operations be primarily conducted on important trunk routes, such as National Highways, State Highways, and Major District Roads. This focus allows for the collection of data that is most relevant to inter-city traffic and overall road network performance.

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Selection of Census Points

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Strategic Location

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The success of a traffic census program hinges on the judicious selection of traffic count stations. For trunk routes, census sites should be located away from urbanized areas and villages to avoid skewed data from commuter traffic. If necessary, additional stations can be established in these zones to capture relevant data.

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Sectioning of Roads

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Each road should be divided into convenient sections, each carrying approximately similar traffic volumes. Count stations should be established at these sections, typically defined by significant towns or major intersecting roads. This approach ensures that the data collected reflects the traffic patterns accurately.

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Consistency in Data Collection

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Subsequent traffic censuses should be conducted at the same locations to maintain consistency. New stations can be added as needed, but the core locations should remain unchanged to allow for longitudinal studies of traffic trends.

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Frequency and Duration of Census

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Regular Counts

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Traffic counts should be conducted at each point at least twice a year—once during the peak season (harvesting and marketing) and once during the lean season. Each count should span a full week, covering 24 hours each day to capture comprehensive traffic data.

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Avoiding Abnormal Conditions

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Census operations should avoid periods of abnormal traffic conditions, such as fairs or exhibitions. If such events occur, the census should be postponed until normal traffic patterns resume.

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Recording of Data

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Structured Data Collection

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The day can be divided into three shifts of eight hours each, with separate enumerators assigned to each shift. Enumerators should be literate individuals, preferably with middle or matriculation-level qualifications. Supervisors should be trained to oversee the data collection process and ensure accuracy.

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Directional Recording

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Traffic should be recorded separately for each direction of travel. This requires dividing the enumerators into two parties for each shift, ensuring comprehensive data collection.

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Manual Recording

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A field data sheet is used for manual recording of hourly traffic flows. Enumerators will use a tally mark system to record vehicle counts, with hourly totals calculated at the end of each shift.

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Compilation of Data

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Daily and Weekly Summaries

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Data collected during the census is compiled into daily and weekly traffic summary forms. The highest peak hour traffic for both fast and slow vehicles is highlighted for easy reference.

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Distribution of Data

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The daily and weekly summaries should be prepared in quadruplicate, with copies distributed to relevant stakeholders, including the Executive Engineer in charge of road maintenance and the planning division at headquarters. This ensures that the data reaches all necessary parties for further analysis and action.

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Permanent Records

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Field data sheets should be preserved as permanent records for at least five years, providing a historical reference for traffic patterns and trends.

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Conclusion

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The IRC: 9-1972 standard for traffic census on non-urban roads is a critical tool for highway planning and management in India. By establishing clear guidelines for data collection, recording, and compilation, it ensures that traffic data is reliable, consistent, and useful for decision-making. Regular traffic censuses not only enhance our understanding of road usage but also contribute to the development of safer and more efficient transportation networks. Adhering to these standards will ultimately lead to better infrastructure planning and improved road safety for all users.

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