10 Capacity and LOS Analysis for Freeway (Traffic Engineering هندسة المرور & Prof. Saad AlGadhi)
1. CE 436 Traffic Engineering
Topic 10: Capacity and LOS Analysis for
Freeway (Chapters 13-14)
Prof. Saad AlGadhi
CE 436 –Traffic Engineering
King Saud University
email: salgadhi@ksu.edu.sa
2. in the Fifth edition (2010); 1950, 1965 (LOS), 1985, 2000
22. LOS A to C Description
LOS A describes free-flow operations. Free-flow
speeds prevail. Vehicles are almost completely
unimpeded in their ability to maneuver within the
traffic stream. The average spacing between vehicles
is about 480 ft (146 m.), or 24 car lengths.
LOS B represents reasonably free flow, and free-
flow speeds are maintained. The lowest average
spacing between vehicles is about 293 ft (90 m.), or
15 car lengths.
LOS C provides for flow with speeds at or near the
free-flow speed of the freeway. Minimum average
spacings are in the range of 203 ft (62 m.), or 10 car
lengths.
23. LOS D to F Description
LOS D is the level at which speeds begin to decline slightly
with increasing flows. In this range, density begins to increase
somewhat more quickly with increasing flow. Minimum
average vehicle spacings are about 151 ft (46 m.), or Seven
car lengths.
At its highest density value, LOS E describes operation at
capacity. Operations at this level are volatile, there being
virtually no usable gaps in the traffic stream. Vehicles are
spaced at approximately 117 ft (36 m.), or six car lengths,
leaving little room to maneuver within the traffic stream.
LOS F describes breakdowns in vehicular flow. Such
conditions generally exist within queues forming behind
breakdown points.
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28. Types of Analysis
1. Operational Analysis (LOS Calculation)
2. Planning Analysis
3. Service Flow Rate/Service Volume analysis:
SFi = MSFi * N * fhv * fp
SVi = SFi * PHF
4. Design Analysis (iterative):
Ni = DDHV/(PHF * MSFi * fhv * fp )
59. Figure 14.7 Freeway Segment for Sample Problem 1 (Source: Used with permission of Transportation Research
Board, National Research Council, Highway Capacity Manual, December 2000, Illustration 12-1, p. 12-6.)