JAMAR Technologies DB-100 User manual

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Vol. 3.1 February 2003

DB-100 User’s Manual
If you have any questions about the use of the DB-100, please call the
following number:
1-215-491-4899
Monday — Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time
You may also contact us by fax at:
1-215-491-4889
or via e-mail at:
[email protected]
For more information on our products, or for the latest news in product
development, visit our web site at:
www.jamartech.com
Address any correspondence to:
JAMAR Technologies, Inc.
151 Keith Valley Road
Horsham, PA 19044-1411
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Table of Contents
Technical Support...................................................................................ii
Quick Setup Guide for the DB-100 ......................................................iv
Introduction to the DB-100.................................................................1-1
What is the DB-100?.......................................................................1-2
MaintainingYour DB-100...............................................................1-3
How is the DB-100 Powered?.........................................................1-3
Programming the DB-100...............................................................1-3
Using the Count Keys .....................................................................1-4
Doing a Count .................................................................................1-5
Operation of the DB-100 .....................................................................2-1
Start-up Screens ..............................................................................2-2
Main Menu......................................................................................2-3
Count Menu ....................................................................................2-4
New...........................................................................................2-4
Continue .................................................................................2-10
Status ......................................................................................2-11
Clearing the Memory ....................................................................2-11
Utilities Menu ...............................................................................2-12
Tests........................................................................................2-12
Time/Date ...............................................................................2-17
Options ...................................................................................2-18
Retrieving the Data From the DB-100...............................................3-1
Downloading to the Computer........................................................3-2
Local Download to a Computer ...............................................3-4
Baud Rate Selection .................................................................3-5
Modem Transfer to a Computer ...............................................3-5
Phone Number Selection ..........................................................3-6
Retrieving Data Using the Review Menu .......................................3-7
Battery Care.........................................................................................4-1
Installing Batteries ..........................................................................4-2
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................5-1
Appendix..............................................................................................A-1
Computer Interface Notes ..............................................................A-2
Menu Tree ......................................................................................A-4
Specifications .................................................................................A-6
Field Worksheet .............................................................................A-7
Table of Contents

DB-100 User’s Manual
iv
Quick Start Guide for the DB-100
1. Turn the DB-100 ON. Once
the start-up process is complete,
the main menu will be dis-
played. Press DO while Count
is flashing.
2. On the next screen, to start a
new count, press the TAB until
New is flashing then press the
DO key.
3.You are then given the option
to enter a site code for the study.
This can be an 8-digit number
or the street names of the inter-
section being counted (Alpha).
4. Once a site code has been en-
tered, you are prompted to se-
lect an interval length.The most
commonly used interval is 15
minutes. Press the TAB key to
highlight the interval desired
then press the DO key.
5. When starting a new count,
always try to begin as close to
anintervalboundary as possible,
such as xx:00, xx:15, xx:30, or
xx:45.
6. Press any of the grey keys to begin counting and the DB-100 will
start recording data.
7. Once you have finished your count, turn the DB-100 off and the
data will be stored internally.
COUNT REVIEW DUMP
CLEAR UTILITIES
DoTurning Movement
count. -bat: OK
NEW STATUS EXIT
Start a newTurning
movement count.
Count # : 001
Interval #: 001
--Any Key to Start--
07:59:37
8-DIGIT ALPHA EXIT
Select 8-digit site
code mode.
1 5 15 30 60 EXIT
Select interval
duration (minutes).
Press DO to accept

Chapter 1
Introduction
to the DB-100
1-1
Chapter 1 — Introduction to the DB-100

DB-100 User’s Manual
What is the DB-100?
The DB-100 is an electronic hand-held device that enables you to do the
most common of all manual data collection studies: intersection turning
movement counts.
Multiple studies can be stored in the DB-100, using up to a total of 312
intervals of data. For each count, the unit stores the date and time, the
number of intervals used, a site code, and the data. While collecting data
you can record up to 16 distinct movements per intersection.
While the data that has been collected with the DB-100 can be manually
extracted from its display, the device is designed to be downloaded to a
computer. At any convenient time, you can transfer the data to your com-
puter through the RS-232 serial port. The PETRA (Professional Engineers
Traffic Reporting and Analysis) software allows you to easily read, edit
and store the data, as well as print a variety of reports and graphs.
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MaintainingYour DB-100
The DB-100 is a complex electronic device. Like other electronic devices
(televisions,VCRs, computers) a certain amount of care should be taken to
ensure it has a long, productive life.While the DB-100 is a very rugged and
durable instrument, some precautions should be taken.
Like other electronic devices, the DB-100 can be affected by static electric
discharge.When using thedevice,be carefulto properlygroundor discharge
yourself, especially in cold weather when static electric build-up is more
prevalent.
The DB-100 is not waterproof. Like other electronic devices, the DB-100
can be damaged or otherwise adversely affected by getting wet. Be sure to
protect the unit properly during inclement weather. Be careful not to spill
any liquids into the unit.
How is the DB-100 powered?
The DB-100 is powered by four AA batteries. The electronics of the unit
are designed to draw as little power as necessary, so (depending on use) a
fresh set of batteries may last several months before they need to be re-
placed. The display of the DB-100 shows the status of the batteries, and
warns you when the battery voltage is starting to get low.
An optional power supply can also be used with the unit to further extend
the life of the batteries. This unit, which plugs into a wall socket, is recom-
mend for use when downloading the DB-100 to a computer. When in the
field, an optional cigarette lighter adapter can be used with the unit. This
item draws power from the car’s battery and is required for DB-100s
equipped with backlit displays.
Programming the DB-100
The DB-100 is simple to use.An OFF/ON switch on top of the unit panel is
used to turn the unit on and off.A 4-line by 20-character display helps you
select the proper entries. All options are clearly displayed, with the cur-
rently selected option shown with a blinking highlight. The bottom lines of
the display are used to explain the option that is highlighted.
Two buttons are all that are used to move from menu to menu, and to select
from the various options shown on the display. The TAB key is used to
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Chapter 1 — Introduction to the DB-100

DB-100 User’s Manual
1-4
cycle through the options while the DO key is used to select an option. If
you move the highlight too far and over-shoot the desired option, just keep
pressing the TAB key until it is re-selected.
Using the Count Keys
The DB-100 is designed to make turning movement counts simple and
accurate.The buttonsare arranged tosimulate a standard intersection.There
are 16 buttons, with 12 normally used for the left, thru, and right move-
ments from each of the four approach directions. The additional four but-
tons are user-defined; they can be used for buses, trucks, bicycles, pedes-
trians, or whatever you want.
Since the DB-100 looks like an intersection, doing a count is very intuitive.
If a car makes a left turn from an approach, you simply push the button that
shows a left turn from that direction. The DB-100 keeps track of every-
thing else for you.
Doing a Count
Before you start a turning movement count, you must ask yourself the
following questions.
• What are the user defined buttons (1,5,9,13) going to be
used for, if at all?
• Can one person do the study, or will it require two or
more, using separate counters?
• How is the DB-100 going to be oriented?
The answer to these questions depends upon the experience of the people
doing the counts; there are no simple rules of thumb we can give you to
help you decide. The important thing is to use your knowledge of the people
counting, along with your experience with the traffic they are likely to see
in the field, to decide in advance what the best strategy would be.
Deciding on how the DB-100 will be oriented during the study depends on
where you will actually be located while doing the count. When the data
from the unit is downloaded to our software, the program assumes that the
1 through 4 keys were for the from north (southbound) approach, and the
rest of the keys are assigned accordingly. The DB-100’s front panel has a
symbol with compass points showing north, south, east and west.This sym-

bol is included to suggest that you align the counter so that buttons 1 though
4 faces north while you are doing the count. It is not necessary to always
conform to this practice. Sometimes it is more convenient for you to face
another direction when you do the count, especially if you want to be able
to read the display.
The analysis software allows you to select which button was facing north
during the count; it just defaults to button #3. We recommend that (if pos-
sible) you use the default direction, since it eliminates one source of error
when you do the analysis. If you don’t use the default direction, it is impor-
tant to note this. The last page of this manual contains a Field Worksheet
that can be used when performing counts. This worksheet, or a similar one,
will help to keep track of what was done during a count. If you keep good
notes in the field, you won’t have any problems, no matter which way the
DB-100 is aligned.
Once you have determined how to conduct the count, you are ready to
begin. However, before going to the site you should prepare a checklist,
like the one below, to prevent potential problems.
1.Is the equipment in good working condition? Can it col-
lect, store and download data properly?
2. Have all decisions been made regarding how the data is
to be collected?
3. Are the people doing the study familiar with how to
collect the data?
4.Are the people doing the study familiar with the equip-
ment they will be using?
5.Are the people doing the study equipped with all needed
accessories (spare batteries, watches, pens & paper, etc.)?
During the data collection itself, the first priority of those doing the study
should be safety. Data collection personnel should stay a safe distance from
the traffic, and distract drivers as little as possible.Whenever possible, data
collection personnel should work in pairs to minimize the threat of crime,
stray dogs, etc.
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Chapter 1 — Introduction to the DB-100
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DB-100 User’s Manual
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An excellent source for more detailed information on collecting traffic data
is the Manual of Transportation Engineering Studies, published by the In-
stitute of Transportation Engineers. The following is excepted from the
manual:
Safe, efficient, and effective data collection requires skill, atten-
tion to detail, and common sense. The importance of “good” data
cannot be overstated. Important conclusions are drawn from field
data that form the basis for decisions that affect the expenditure of
large amounts of money and can have a significant effect on the
safety of the public at large. Data collection demands the same
level of professionalism as any other task undertaken by an engi-
neer or engineering technician.