What is the purpose of traffic volume studies in highway planning?

Traffic volume studies are crucial in highway planning as they help analyze current and projected traffic patterns, which are essential for effective road design and capacity planning. Understanding how many vehicles use a roadway and when they use it allows engineers and planners to make informed decisions about the needed road dimensions, traffic signals, and overall infrastructure. This data is instrumental in determining whether a road can handle the existing and anticipated traffic loads without causing congestion or safety issues.

Analyzing traffic volumes helps identify peak usage times, potential bottlenecks, and the types of vehicles on the road, which can influence design decisions. This information is fundamental for ensuring that a highway can accommodate not only the current demands but also future growth, thereby maximizing safety and efficiency for all road users.

The other options focus on aspects that, while important in their own right, do not directly relate to the primary aim of traffic volume studies in terms of planning for road usage and capacity.