14. Capacity and Level of Service
Capacity and level of service are critical concepts in transportation facilities providing insights into traffic management. Capacity focuses on the maximum volume the road can accommodate, while level of service offers a qualitative measure of driving conditions. Various factors influence these metrics, including traffic composition, roadway geometric characteristics, and control conditions. The Highway Capacity Manual classifies levels of service from A to F, delineating driving comfort and system efficiency.
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What we have learnt
- Capacity indicates the maximum number of vehicles a transportation facility can accommodate under specific conditions.
- Level of service (LOS) provides a qualitative measurement of traffic conditions, ranging from A (best) to F (worst).
- Highway capacity is affected by traffic conditions, roadway characteristics, and control conditions.
Key Concepts
- -- Capacity
- The maximum number of vehicles or passengers that can be accommodated by a transportation facility per unit time under given conditions.
- -- Level of Service (LOS)
- A qualitative measure of traffic flow on a roadway, ranging from level A (free flow) to level F (forced flow).
- -- Measure of Effectiveness (MOE)
- Metrics used to evaluate highway performance, including speed, travel time, density, and delay.
- -- Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)
- A manual that provides guidelines for determining highway capacity and evaluating different levels of service.
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