JAMAR Technologies TRAX I User manual

i

TRAX I User’s Manual
If you have any questions about the use of the TRAX I, please call the
following number: 215-491-4899
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time
You may also contact us by fax at:
215-491-4889
or via e-mail at:
[email protected]
Address any correspondence to:
JAMAR Technologies, Inc.
151 Keith Valley Road
Horsham, PA 19044-1411
ii
Volume 2.0 November 2001

iii
Quick Setup Guide for theTRAX I
1. Turn the TRAX I ON.
2. From the Main Menu, TAB to “STAT” and hold down the DO key. Check the
battery voltage (bat:X.Xv). For longer studies (week or more) the voltage should
be at least 6.4. It can be less for shorter counts, but should not be below 6.1.
Release the DO key when finished checking.
3. TAB to “Utilities” and press the DO key once. TAB to “Defaults” and press
the DO key once.
4. With “INT” flashing, press the DO key once. TAB to select the interval length
desired and press the DO key when your selection is flashing.
5. TAB to “Space” and press the DO key once. Enter the spacing of your tubes
for the study. This is only required for class, speed or gap types of studies. All of
these studies require 8 ft. This setting does not affect volume studies - if you are
doing a volume count, you do not need to set the spacing. Hit the DO key when
your selection is correct.
6. Hit the DO key twice with “Exit” flashing to return to the main menu. Note:
the default settings will remain stored in the counter for all future counts.You
will not need to set them again unless you are going to do a different type of
study.
7. From the Main Menu, press the DO key when “Count” is flashing.
8. Select the type of study you wish to do by using the TAB key and hitting DO
when your selection is flashing. The options are: Basic, Volume Only, Per Veh
(Per Vehicle) and Binned (Class/Speed/Gap).
Basic: the most complex of the studies, it time stamps every axle hit.
Use this only if you are interested in the raw data of a traffic study.
Volume Only: the simplest of the studies, it creates a study based on
one count for every two axle hits.
Per Veh (Per Vehicle): one step below Basic, it allows extensive
manipulation of the data but does not time stamp every axle hit.
Binned (Class/Speed/Gap): this study can provide Class, Speed and
Gap binned files.You can choose to do one, two, or all three of these
studies at the same time in any combination.
9. After selecting your type of study, you will be prompted to select a tube
layout. Refer to the descriptions on the TRAX I or to Chapter 4 for the appropri-
ate selection. TAB to your selection and press the DO key to select it.
10.You will then be prompted to select a site code. Press DO with “Yes”
flashing to enter one or press DO with “None” flashing to not use a site code.
11. Press DO with “Start” flashing to begin your study!

TRAX I User’s Manual
Technical Support ..................................................................ii
Quick Setup Guide for the TRAX I................................................................iii
Introduction to theTRAX I ...............................................................1-1
What is the TRAX I? ...............................................................1-2
How is the TRAX I Powered?..........................................................1-3
Power On, DO and TAB Functions...................................................1-3
Operation of the TRAX I ...............................................................2-1
Start-up Screens ...............................................................2-2
Main Menu ...............................................................2-3
Utilities Menu ...............................................................2-4
Mod ...............................................................2-4
Clear ...............................................................2-4
Defaults ...............................................................2-5
Time/Date ...............................................................2-6
Tests ...............................................................2-7
Count Menu ...............................................................2-8
Basic ...............................................................2-8
Volume Only ...............................................................2-8
Per Vehicle ...............................................................2-8
Binned ...............................................................2-8
Tube Layout Selection ........................................................2-9
Site Code .............................................................2-10
Count Start-up Menu .............................................................2-11
Stat .............................................................2-11
Set Times .............................................................2-11
Test .............................................................2-12
Start .............................................................2-13
Basic Data Screens ....................................................2-13
Volume Only Status Screens .....................................2-14
Per Veh Status Screens...............................................2-15
Binned Status Screens ...............................................2-16
Ending a Count .............................................................2-18
Road Tube Installation ...............................................................3-1
Road Tube Layouts ...............................................................4-1
Downloading the TRAX I ...............................................................5-1
Battery Care ...............................................................6-1
Low Speed Counting ...............................................................7-1
Troubleshooting ...............................................................8-1
Menu Tree & Specifications ...............................................................9-1
Appendix ..............................................................A-1
Table of Contents
iv

1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
to theTRAX I
Chapter 1 — Introduction to the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
1-2
What is theTRAX I?
The TRAX I Counter/Classifier is an automatic traffic recorder designed
and built by JAMAR Technologies, Inc. It is designed for ease of use, but
containsmany optionsand features thatare needed forcomprehensivetraffic
data analysis.
The TRAX I can collect data in four modes: basic (raw) data, volume only
data, per vehicle data and binned class, speed and/or gap data. These vari-
ous modes allow you to go from a simple one lane volume count to a multi-
lane, individual axle time-stamped raw data collection with the same piece
of equipment.
The TRAX I can store up to 32 different studies. It stores the type of study
done, the date and time, a site code and the data for the study. At any
convenient time, you can transfer the data to your computer or a data mod-
ule through the RS-232 serial port and process the data. Reports for vol-
ume, class, speed and gap can be generated using JAMAR’s data analysis
software.

How is theTRAX I powered?
The TRAX I is powered by a rechargeable lead gel battery. Depending
upon use, batteries may last for several months before they need to be
recharged. The TRAX I displays the battery voltage when it is first turned
on.This allowsyouto determineifthere isenoughbattery powertocomplete
a study. Generally, battery voltage should register at 6.3VDC or higher for
a full charge. Refer to Chapter 6 Battery Care for more information on
battery maintenance. TheTRAX I can also be purchased with a solar panel
option.
POWER ON, DO andTAB Functions
An OFF/ON switch on top of the front panel is used to power the unit. A
four line by 20-character display helps you select the proper entries. All
options are clearly displayed, with the currently selected option flashing.
The bottom two 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. One key (TAB) is used to
move the highlight to the option you want, and another is used to imple-
ment it (the DO key). In general, you press the TAB key until the option
you want is flashing, and then press the DO key. If you move the highlight
too far and overshoot the desired option, just keep pressing the TAB key
until it is re-selected.
1-3
OFF/ON
DO TAB
Chapter 1 — Introduction to the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
1-4
This page was intentionally left blank.

Operation of
theTRAX I
2-1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 — Operation of the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
Start-up Screens
A four-line, 20-character LCD dis-
play, located in the middle of the
TRAX I’s front panel, is used to dis-
play current options and status.
NOTE: The display of the TRAX
I has a power-saving feature that
turns off the screen if the unit has
notbeendisturbedforseveralmin-
utes.To bring the display back up,
simply hit any of the gray keys on
the keypad.
After you power on the TRAX I the
sign-on screen is displayed. This
shows the version number of the
firmware in the TRAX I in the lower
right-hand corner.
The second screen, as shown below, displays the tube spacing that is set in
the TRAX I, the amount of memory the counter contains, the amount of
memory remaining for new studies, the number of counts stored in memory,
the status of the battery and the time and date that is set in your TRAX I.
After a few seconds, the screen clears and the Main Menu is displayed.
2-2
Tube spacing: 8.0 ft
1024K Mem: 99% Avail
Counts: 02 bat: 6.4v
TD 10:25:12 02/13/98

Main Menu
The Main Menu is the starting point for all of the options in the TRAX I.
The options on this screen are:
COUNT Program a new count. When Count is selected you can
choose from BASIC, VOLUME ONLY, PER VEH(icle)
or BINNED. Depending on the mode of data collection
you have selected, you can produce reports in the software
for volume, class, speed, gap, length and following dis-
tance. Refer to theAppendix for more information on how
vehicles are classified.
UTILITIES Perform miscellaneous operations that include the option
to download to a MODULE, CLEAR the counter, program
the DEFAULT settings, set the TIME/DATE and perform
diagnostic TESTS on the TRAX I.
STAT Select to display available memory, counts stored, battery
power, and time/date. This is the same screen as the sec-
ond one shown after turning on the TRAX I. TAB until
STAT is flashing then hold the DO key down to review the
information on this screen. Approximately five seconds
after releasing the DO key, the screen will return to the
Main Menu.
2-3
COUNT UTILITIES STAT
***** MAIN MENU ******
Press DO to Count.
TAB changes option
Chapter 2 — Operation of the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
Utilities Menu
The UTILITIES Menu contains an
assortment of operations that are
necessary and/or helpful to the op-
eration of the TRAX I. Press the
TAB key until Utilities is flashing, then press the DO key to enter this
menu. When you have selected UTILITIES from the Main Menu the screen
shown above is displayed.
MOD
TheMod,or Module,optional-
lows you to use a JAMAR data
module with the TRAX I.You
can check the status of a mod-
ule, erase a module, or down-
load data into a module by using the module’s built-in cable to connect
to the COM port on the TRAX I. The module has a memory capacity
of four MB, and can hold multiple files from several different counters.
With this feature you can download all of your data in the field and
only have to transport the module back to your office for downloading
into the software.
STATUS This option allows you to check whether there is
data currently stored in the module.
WRITE Thisoptionallowsyou to downloaddatafrom your
TRAX I into the data module. You are asked to
verify this selection several times to make sure
this is what you want to do.
ERASE This option allows you to clear any data stored in
the module.You are asked to verify this selection
several times to make sure this is what you want
to do. Once the data has been erased it cannot be
restored.
CLEAR
Clears the memory of all data. You are given two chances to change
your mindbefore data is removed from thenonvolatile memory. NOTE:
Once the clearing memory process has started, you must allow the
counter to finish before turning it off. Turning the counter off be-
2-4
STATUS WRITE ERASE
EXIT
Status: Data Module
Press DO Key
MOD CLEAR DEFAULTS
TIME/DATE TESTS EXIT
Data Module commands
Press DO key

fore the clearing process is finished will result in a file error in the
counter.
DEFAULTS
NOTE: The nonvolatile
memory intheTRAXIwill re-
tain the default settings you
program.Thesesettings willbe
used for future traffic studies
without having to re-enter the DEFAULTS menu.
INTERVAL Internally store data in 5, 10, 15, 30, or 60 minute
intervals. Use the TAB button to select INT and
press DO. Use TAB to highlight the number of
minutes in which you would like the data stored.
With the number flashing, press DO.
SPACE Set the proper spacing for the tube layout you will
be using. Use the TAB button to select SPACE
and press DO. Use the keypad to enter your cor-
rect tube spacing. When finished, press DO.
NOTE: The spacing does not affect volume
studies and does not need to be changed for
volumeonlystudies.Werecommendleavingthe
spacing set at 8 ft.
DATE USA (month/day/year)orWorld(day/month/year)
formats.
UNITS Select either English or Metric units.
DT/DTX Dead time or D-Bounce for air switches. Use the
TAB button to select DT and press DO. Use the
keypadtoenter intheDTandpressDOwhen com-
pleted. Typically, 25 ms is the normal setting. The
DTX setting should only be used for very low
speed counting. Refer to Chapter 7 for more in-
formation.
2-5
INT SPACE DATE UNITS
DT DTX DBV VEH EXIT
Select time interval
for Binned Data
Chapter 2 — Operation of the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
2-6
DBV Allows you to set the Distance BetweenVehicles.
Enter, in feet, the longest distance between con-
secutive axles of the largest vehicle you would ex-
pect to see at the study site. The TRAX I will use
this number to determine if the distance between
axles could be from the same vehicle or if the dis-
tance is great enough that the axles must be from
separate vehicles. Example: setting the DBV for
36 ft. tells the TRAX I that any axles spaced at
over 36 ft. apart must be from separate vehicles.
In the example from thefollowing diagram, aDBV
setting of 40 feet would tell the TRAX I the axles
spaced at 30 feet could be from the same vehicle,
but the axles spaced at 42 feet must be from sepa-
rate vehicles.
VEH The TRAX I has the ability to upload user-defined
tables for class, speed or gap data collection from
JAMAR’s data analysis software. The VEH op-
tion is used to restore the factory default tables.
The default tables are 15-70 mph by 5 mph for
speed, FHWA scheme F for class, and 2 to 26+ by
2 seconds for gap.
TIME/DATE
TAB to TIME/DATE and push DO. Set the current time and date for
your location starting with the hour. Use the CHANGE buttons (3 and
6) to correct the settings as required. Use the TAB key to move from
the hour setting to the minutes. Enter the correct number of minutes.
TAB to month and enter the number for the current month. TAB to day
and enter the day of the month. Finally, TAB to year and enter the year.
When completed, press the DO button. NOTE: The real time clock in
the TRAX I uses a 24-hour military format; i.e. 5:00 P.M. is 17:00.
DBV DBV
30’ 42’

TESTS
MEMORY Press DO
while Memory is flashing
and the TRAX I automati-
cally starts testing the
memory. The test does not affect any data that is stored in the unit.
DISPLAY To test the DISPLAY, press DO after the various
screens that are displayed.
KEYS Press any of the keys and theTRAX I will display
the key you pressed. Press DO to exit.
SER. PORT Plug a test connector into your serial port. The
connecter must short the 2 & 3 pins. NOTE:This
test will fail if a test connector is not used prop-
erly.
Highlight EXIT and press DO to leave the DEFAULTS Menu. With EXIT
highlighted once again, press DO to exit the UTILITIES Menu and return
to the MAIN Menu.
MEMORY DISPLAY
KEYS S.PORT EXIT
Test internal data
storage memory
2-7
Chapter 2 — Operation of the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
Count Menu
When you select COUNT from the
Main Menu, the screen shown
above is displayed. The options on
this sub-menu are:
Basic
The most complex of the studies, Basic (Raw) data collection involves
time stamping every axle hit. Use this only if you are interested in the
raw data of a traffic study. Selecting this type of count will take you
into the tube layout selection menu, described on the following page .
Volume Only
If you select Volume Only you
will be taken to the screen
shown here, where you can
choose a study using either the
divide-by-two technique or a
straight axle count. SelectVOL-VEH for a divide-by two study, where
every two hits is counted as one. SelectVOL-AXLE for an axle count,
where every hit is counted as one. After you select the type of study
you want, you will be taken to the tube layout selection menu, de-
scribed on the following page .
Per Veh
Short for Per Vehicle, this study is one step below Basic. It allows
extensive manipulation of the data but does not time stamp every axle
hit. Selecting this type of study will take you into the tube layout selec-
tion menu, described on the following page.
Binned
This study can provide Class,
Speed and Gap binned files.
You can choose to collect only
one type of data, or two or three
types at one time, in any combination. Unlike the other three studies,
selecting this option does not immediately take you to the tube layout
selection menu. Instead you are taken to the screen shown above.
2-8
BASIC VOLUME ONLY
PER VEH BINNED EXIT
Basic Data
Press DO to accept
VOL-VEH VOL-AXLE
EXIT
Binned Veh. Counts
Press DO to select
CONT CHANGE EXIT
OPT= CLASS SPEED GAP
Press DO to continue
with options shown.

2-9
Use this screen to select the types of data you want to collect. The
default setting is for Class, Speed and Gap. To change this setting,
press the TAB key until Change
is flashing and press DO. You
will then be taken to the screen
shown to the right.
On the screen shown, all three
study types - class, speed and gap - are currently selected. To de-select
a study type, press the TAB key until the study you want to remove is
flashing. Then press the DO key.You will see that the study you chose
has been removed from the Options listed on the second line. To re-
select a study that has been removed, press the TAB key until the selec-
tion you want is flashing. Then hit the DO key.You will see the study
you chose returned to the Options on the second line.
When you have configured the options for the types of data that you
want to collect, press the TAB key until CONT is flashing. Then press
the DO key and you will be taken into the tube layout selection menu,
described below.
Tube Layout Selection
A screen similar to the one
shown here is displayed when
in the Tube Layout Selection
Menu. The meaning of each of
the selections is displayed on
the 3rd line, when the indi-
vidual option is flashing. Refer to Chapter 4 Road Tube Layouts for a
more detailed description of the individual layouts. Listed below are
the types of layouts that are available to be selected with the different
types of data collection modes:
VOLUME ONLY L1 L2 L3 L4 L7 L8 L9
CLS/SPEED/GAP L5 L6 L10 L11 L12
After you have selected the tube layout for your study, you will be
taken to the Site Code Menu.
CONT CLASS SPEED GAP
OPT= CLASS SPEED GAP
Press DO to continue
with options shown.
L1 L2 L3 L4 L7 L8 L9
Two ChannelA, B Vol
Press DO to select
Chapter 2 — Operation of the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
2-10
Site Code
The data in the TRAX I in-
cludesthedate andtimethat the
study was done, but no direct
information on where the study
was done. Correct use of the Site Code is a way for you to guarantee
that the data you collected at a particular site was indeed collected
there. To enter a Site Code, press DO while YES is flashing.You may
then enter a numerical code up to 12 characters using the numbered
keys on the TRAX I. If you do not wish to use a Site Code, TAB until
NONE is flashing and press DO. NOTE: Pressing DO while EXIT is
flashing will exit you out of the count setup and back to the Main
Menu.
After you have entered your Site Code, you will be taken to the Count
Start-Up Menu.
YES NONE EXIT
Enter num. Site Code
Press DO to accept

2-11
START STAT SET TIMES
TEST EXIT
Press DO to select
BASIC Startup Status
Use TAB to advance
display screens
CNT:02 MEM: 95% 6.4v
hh mm MM DD YY
Strt: 07 :00 01 /25 /98
Stop: 08 :00 01 /31 /98
Use TAB& ;DO=accept
Count
Start-up Menu
The Count Start-Up menu allows
you to immediately begin a count,
check the status of the setup, program start and stop times for the count, or
set the TRAX I into test mode.
Stat
Whenyouselect STAT fromthe
Count Start-up menu, you will
see a screen similar to the one
shown here. Use the TAB key
to scroll through screens which give you information such as the cur-
rent count number, percentage of memory available, battery voltage,
study type selected, current date and time, start/stop times and site ID.
After you have tabbed through the available screens, you will be re-
turned to the Count Start-up Menu.
Set Times
**********IMPORTANT**********
Although the ability to set start and stop times is provided as a con-
venience for some users, we recommend using the continuous mode
of collection whenever possible. It is easy to edit out extra data in
the software when collecting in the continuous mode. Nothing can
be done, however, if no data is collected because the incorrect start/
stop times were programmed.
After you have selected SET
TIMES from the Count Start-
Up Menu, you will see the
screen shown here. This is the
screen that you will use to se-
lect your start and stop times. Press the TAB key until the letters above
the number you want to change are flashing. Then use the Change
Keys (3 & 6) on the keyboard to program the number you want.When
this number is set, press the TAB key and the next set of letters will be
flashing. Use this procedure to set your start time and date.
Chapter 2 — Operation of the TRAX I

TRAX I User’s Manual
2-12
Strt: 07 :00 01 /25 /98
Stop: 08 :00 01 /31 /98
hh mm MM DD YY
Use TAB& ;DO=accept
START STAT EXIT
Press DO to Start
Start Time Enabled
START STAT EXIT
Press DO to Start
TEST MODE ENABLED
When the correct time and date
are set, press the DO key and
you will see the screen shown
to the right. Follow the same
instructions used in setting the
start time to set the stop time.
When the correct date and time
are entered, press the DO key
and you will be taken to the
screen shown to the right. Press
DO while START is flashing
andtheTRAXI is programmed
to begin and end recording at the times you set.
IMPORTANT: After pressing DO to Start the count, you will see one
of the status screens.Vehicles will be shown on this screen as they pass
over the tubes. However, this data is not being recorded in the memory
of the TRAX I. If you TAB through the status screens, you will see in
one of the screens the word “Wait” in the upper right hand corner. This
is telling you that the TRAX I is waiting until it reaches the start time
to begin storing data. When the data is actually being stored, the word
“Wait” will change to “Run”.
Test
When you select TEST from
the start-up menu you will see
the screen shown below here.
Selecting start will take you to
the status screens for the type
of study you have programmed. You will be able to observe how the
TRAX I is collecting data with the setup you have programmed.
**********IMPORTANT**********
Although you will see the data for each vehicle displayed in the
TRAX I, when you are in the TEST mode no data is being stored in
permanent memory. To end the Test mode, you must turn theTRAX
I off.