Free Traffic Flow Calculator

Calculate traffic flow rate from vehicle density and average speed using the fundamental traffic flow relationship.

veh/km
km/h

Traffic Flow Rate (q)

1,800 veh/h

Average Time Headway2.0 seconds
Average Spacing33.3 m

Traffic Flow Rate (q) vs Vehicle Density (k)

Fundamental Traffic Flow Equation

Traffic flow, density, and speed are linked by a fundamental relationship.

Formula

q = k u

where q is flow rate (vehicles/hour), k is density (vehicles/km), and u is space mean speed (km/h).

Time headway = 3600/q seconds. Spacing = 1000/k metres. At capacity, flow is maximised with moderate speed and density.

Example Calculation

30 vehicles per km travelling at 60 km/h.

  1. 01q = 30 x 60 = 1800 vehicles/hour
  2. 02Headway = 3600 / 1800 = 2.0 seconds
  3. 03Spacing = 1000 / 30 = 33.3 m between vehicles

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