14 Capacity Analysis
14 Capacity Analysis
14 Capacity Analysis
1
Objectives
Review LOS definition and determinants
Define capacity and relate to “ideal”
capacities
Review calculating capacity using HCM
procedures for basic freeway section
Focus on relations between capacity, level-
of-service, and design
2
Level of Service (LOS)
Concept – a qualitative measure describing
operational conditions within a traffic stream
and their perception by drivers and/or
passengers
Levels represent range of operating
conditions defined by measures of
effectiveness (MOE)
3
LOS A (Freeway)
Free flow conditions
Vehicles are
unimpeded in their
ability to maneuver
within the traffic
stream
Incidents and
breakdowns are
easily absorbed
4
Flow reasonably free LOS B
Ability to maneuver
is slightly restricted
General level of
physical and
psychological
comfort provided to
drivers is high
Effects of incidents
and breakdowns are
easily absorbed
5
Flow at or near FFS
LOS C
Freedom to maneuver
is noticeably
restricted
Lane changes more
difficult
Minor incidents will
be absorbed, but will
cause deterioration
in service
Queues may form
behind significant
blockage
6
Speeds begin to
decline with
LOS D
increasing flow
Freedom to maneuver
is noticeably limited
Drivers experience
physical and
psychological
discomfort
Even minor incidents
cause queuing, traffic
stream cannot absorb
disruptions
7
Capacity
Operations are volatile, LOS E
virtually no usable gaps
Vehicles are closely
spaced
Disruptions such as lane
changes can cause a
disruption wave that
propagates throughout
the upstream traffic
flow
Cannot dissipate even
minor disruptions,
incidents will cause
breakdown 8
Breakdown or forced
flow
Occurs when:
LOS F
Traffic incidents
cause a temporary
reduction in capacity
At points of
recurring congestion,
such as merge or
weaving segments
In forecast
situations, projected
flow (demand)
exceeds estimated
capacity 9
Design Level of Service
This is the desired quality of traffic conditions
from a driver’s perspective (used to determine
number of lanes)
Design LOS is higher for higher functional
classes
Design LOS is higher for rural areas
11
Capacity – Defined
Capacity: Maximum hourly rate of
vehicles or persons that can reasonably be
expected to pass a point, or traverse a
uniform section of lane or roadway,
during a specified time period under
prevailing conditions (traffic and roadway)
Different for different facilities
(freeway, multilane, 2-lane rural, signals)
Why would it be different?
12
Ideal Capacity
Freeways: Capacity Multilane
(Free-Flow Speed) Suburban/Rural
2,400 pcphpl (70 mph) 2,200 pcphpl (60 mph)
2,350 pcphpl (65 mph) 2,100 (55 mph)
2,300 pcphpl (60 mph) 2,000 (50 mph)
2,250 pcphpl (55 mph) 1,900 (45 mph)
13
Principles for Acceptable
Degree of Congestion:
1. Demand <= capacity, even for short time
2. 75-85% of capacity at signals
3. Dissipate from queue @ 1500-1800 vph
4. Afford some choice of speed, related to
trip length
5. Freedom from tension, esp long trips, < 42
veh/mi.
6. Practical limits - users expect lower LOS in
expensive situations (urban, mountainous)
14
Multilane Highways
Chapter 21 of the Highway Capacity Manual
For rural and suburban multilane highways
Assumptions (Ideal Conditions, all other
conditions reduce capacity):
Only passenger cars
No direct access points
A divided highway
FFS > 60 mph
Represents highest level of multilane rural and
suburban highways
15
Multilane Highways
Intended for analysis of uninterrupted-
flow highway segments
Signal spacing > 2.0 miles
No on-street parking
No significant bus stops
No significant pedestrian activities
16
Source: HCM, 2000
17
Step 1: Gather data
Step 2: Calculate capacity
(Supply)
18
Source: HCM, 2000
19
Source: HCM, 2000
Source: HCM, 2000
20
Lane Width
Base Conditions: 12 foot lanes
31
Heavy Vehicle Adjustment
Heavy vehicles affect traffic
Slower, larger
fhv increases number of passenger vehicles to
account for presence of heavy trucks
32
f(hv) General Grade Definitions:
Level: combination of alignment (horizontal and
vertical) that allows heavy vehicles to maintain
same speed as pass. cars (includes short grades
2% or less)
Rolling: combination that causes heavy vehicles
to reduce speed substantially below P.C. (but not
crawl speed for any length)
Mountainous: Heavy vehicles at crawl speed for
significant length or frequent intervals
Use specific grade approach if grade less than
3% is more than ½ mile or grade more than 3% is
more than ¼ mile)
33
Example: for 10% heavy trucks on rolling
terrain, what is Fhv?
For rolling terrain, ET = 2.5
Fhv = _________1_______ = 0.87
1 + 0.1 (2.5 – 1)
34
Driver Population Factor (fp)
Non-familiar users affect capacity
fp = 1, familiar users
1 > fp >=0.85, unfamiliar users
35
Step 4: Determine
LOS
Demand Vs.
Supply
37
Calculate Density
38
LOS = E
40
Lane Width (Example)
42
LOS = E
44
Calculate Density
45
LOS = D