TRANSPOENG

Principles of Transportation Engineering

Module 7.0
Highway Capacity and Level of Service Analysis
Two-Lane Highways

Engr. Marlowe Labusnog

Instructor
Two-Lane Highways
 Two-Lane Highways
 roadways with one lane available in each direction.
 Traffic in both directions must be considered since the opposing direction
has a strong influence on level of service.

“Can you name a particular two-lane HW near your area?”

Base Conditions and Capacity
 12-ft minimum lane widths
 6-ft minimum shoulder widths
 0% no-passing zones on the highway segment
 Only passenger cars in the traffic stream
 No direct access points along the roadway
 No impediments to through traffic due to traffic control or turning vehicles
 Level terrain (no grades greater than 2%)

The capacity of extended lengths of two-lane highway under base conditions is

1,700 passenger cars per hour (pc/h) in one direction, or 3,200 pc/h when both
directions are considered. Because of interactions between the two directions of
traffic flow, the maximum flow rate in the opposing direction is limited to 1,500 pc/h
when the other direction is at a flow rate of 1,700 pc/h.
Service Measures
 Percent Time Spent Following (PTSF)
 The average percentage of travel time that vehicles must travel behind
slower vehicles due to the lack of passing opportunities (because of
geometry and/or opposing traffic).
 The percentage of vehicles traveling with headways less than 3 seconds at
a representative location be used as a surrogate measure.
 Generally a representative of a driver’s freedom to maneuver in the traffic
stream.
 Average Travel Speed (ATS)
 The length of the analysis segment divided by the average travel time of all
vehicles traversing the segment during the analysis period.
 An indicator of the mobility on the two-lane HW.
 Percent of Free-Flow Speed (PFFS)
 Average travel speed of the analysis segment divided by the free-flow
speed of the analysis segment.
 An indicator of how closely vehicles are able to travel to their desired speed .
Three Classes of Two-Lane Highway
 Class I
 Two-lane highways on which motorists expect to travel at high speeds, as
well as avoid extended following of other vehicles. Class I highways include
intercity routes, primary arterials connecting major traffic generators, daily
commuter routes, and primary links in state or national highway networks.
 For Class I, calculate both ATS & PTSF

 Class II
 Two-lane highways on which motorists do not necessarily expect to travel at
high speeds. Shorter routes and routes that pass through rugged terrain, for
which travel speeds will generally be lower than for Class I highways, are
typically assigned to Class II. In these situations, motorists primarily want to
avoid extended following of other vehicles.
 For Class II, calculate PTSF only
Three Classes of Two-Lane Highway
 Class III
 Two-lane highways on which motorists do not expect frequent passing
opportunities, or to travel at high speeds. Scenic routes, recreational routes,
or routes that pass through moderately developed areas (small towns) are
typically assigned to Class III. These routes generally have lower posted
speed limits, and in these situations, motorists usually do not mind following
other vehicles or traveling at slower speeds, as long they are able to travel
at a speed close to the posted speed limit.
 For Class III, calculate PFFS only.
Free-Flow Speed (FFS)
 FFS (for two-lane highways) is the mean speed of all vehicles operating in flow
rates up to 200 pc/h total for both directions.
 Typically ranges from 45 to 65 mi/h
 If field measurement of FFS cannot be made under conditions with a flow rate
of 200 pc/h or less, an adjustment can be made with the following equation:

𝑽𝒇
𝑭𝑭𝑺 = 𝑺𝑭𝑴 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟕𝟔
𝒇𝑯𝑽
where:
FFS = estimated free-flow speed (mi/h),
SFM = mean speed of traffic measured in the field (mi/h),
Vf = observed flow rate (mi/h) for the period when field data were
obtained, and
fHV = heavy-vehicle adjustment factor as determined using the same
equation for the basic freeway segment.
Free-Flow Speed (FFS)
 If FFS is to be estimated rather than measured in the field,

𝑭𝑭𝑺 = 𝑩𝑭𝑭𝑺 − 𝒇𝑳𝑺 − 𝒇𝑨

where:
FFS = estimated free-flow speed (mi/h),
BFFS = estimated free-flow speed for base conditions (mi/h),
fLS = adjustment for lane width and shoulder width(mi/h), and
fA = adjustment for the number of access points along the roadway (mi/h)

Note: Speed data and local knowledge of operating conditions on similar facilities
can be used in developing an estimate of BFFS.
Free-Flow Speed (FFS)
 Determine the Free-Flow Speed (FFS):
 Lane Width and Shoulder Width Adjustment, fLS
Free-Flow Speed (FFS)
 Determine the Free-Flow Speed (FFS):
 Access Frequency Adjustment, fA

Note: The number of access points (unsignalized intersections, driveways) should

be counted for both sides of the highway.
Analysis Flow Rate
 The hourly volume must be adjusted to account for the peak 15-minute flow
rate, the terrain, and the presence of heavy vehicles in the traffic stream.
𝑽𝒊
𝒗𝒊 =
𝑷𝑯𝑭 × 𝒇𝑮 × 𝒇𝑯𝑽

where:
vi = 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate for direction i (pc/h)
Vi = hourly volume for direction i (veh/h)
i = “d” for analysis direction, “o” for opposing direction
PHF = peak-hour factor
fG = grade adjustment factor, and
fHV = heavy-vehicle adjustment factor
Analysis Flow Rate
 Determine Analysis Flow Rate
 Peak-Hour Factor, PHF
𝑽
𝑷𝑯𝑭 =
𝑽𝟏𝟓 × 𝟒
where:
PHF = peak-hour factor,
V = hourly volume for hour of analysis,
V15 = maximum 15-min volume within hour of analysis, and
4 = number of 15-min periods per hour.

Note: PHF should be calculated for both directions of traffic flow

combined.
Analysis Flow Rate
 Determine Analysis Flow Rate
 Grade Adjustment Factor, fG
Note: Two-lane HWs in
mountainous terrain must be
analyzed as specific upgrades
and/or downgrades. For more
details, please read the HCM
2010.
Multilane HWs
 Determine Analysis Flow Rate
 Heavy-Vehicle Adjustment Factor, fHV
𝟏
𝒇𝑯𝑽 =
𝟏 + 𝑷𝑻 𝑬𝑻 − 𝟏 + 𝑷𝑹 𝑬𝑹 − 𝟏
where:
fHV = heavy-vehicle adjustment factor,
PT = proportion of trucks and buses in the traffic stream,
PR = proportion of recreation vehicles in the traffic stream,
ET = passenger car equivalent for trucks and buses
ER = passenger car equivalent for recreational vehicles

• Passenger Car Equivalent (PCE) – no. of passenger cars that would consume
the same amount of roadway capacity as a single large truck, bus, or
recreational vehicle.
Multilane HWs
 Determine Analysis Flow Rate
 Heavy-Vehicle Adjustment Factor, fHV
Service Measures
 Average Travel Speed
𝑨𝑻𝑺𝒅 = 𝑭𝑭𝑺 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟕𝟔 𝒗𝒅 + 𝒗𝒐 − 𝒇𝒏𝒑

where:
ATSd = average travel speed in the analysis direction (mi/h)
FFS = free-flow speed (mi/h)
vd = analysis flow rate for analysis direction (pc/h)
vo = analysis flow rate for opposing direction (pc/h)
fnp = adjustment factor for the percentage of no-passing zones (Table 6.17)
Service Measures
Service Measures
 Percent Time Spent Following
𝒗𝒅
𝑷𝑻𝑺𝑭𝒅 = 𝑩𝑷𝑻𝑺𝑭𝒅 + 𝒇𝒏𝒑
𝒗𝒅 + 𝒗𝒐

where:
PTSFd = percent time following in the analysis direction
BPTSFd = base percent time spent following in the analysis direction,
𝒂𝒗𝒅 𝒃
𝑩𝑷𝑻𝑺𝑭𝒅 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏 − 𝒆
a & b are constants obtained from Table 6.19
fnp = adjustment factor for the percentage of no-passing zones (Table 6.18)
Service Measures
Service Measures
Service Measures
 Percent Free-Flow Speed
𝑨𝑻𝑺𝒅
𝑷𝑭𝑭𝑺𝒅 =
𝑭𝑭𝑺

where:
PFFSd = percent free-flow speed in the analysis direction
ATSd = average travel speed in the analysis direction (mi/h)
FFS = free-flow speed (mi/h)
Level of Service (LOS)
 If vd > 1,700 pc/h (directional capacity), LOS F.
 If vd ≤ 1,700 pc/h & vd + vo > 3,200 pc/h, check HCM 2010 for more detailed
procedure.
 If vd ≤ 1,700 pc/h & vd + vo ≤ 3,200 pc/h,
Sample Problem
One segment of a Class II two-lane highway is on rolling terrain and has an hourly
volume of 1,000 veh/h (total for both directions), a directional traffic split of 60/40,
and PHF = 0.92 and the traffic stream contains 5% large trucks, 2% buses, and
6% recreational vehicles. Each lane is 11-ft with 2 ft shoulders. The access
frequency is 10 per mile, 50% no-passing zones, and a base FFS of 55 mi/h.
Determine the level of service for this two-lane highway segment.
Solution
1. Determine the free-flow speed, FFS:
𝐹𝐹𝑆 = 𝐵𝐹𝐹𝑆 − 𝑓𝐿𝑆 − 𝑓𝐴
BFFS = 55 mi/h
For fLS,
Solution
1. Determine the free-flow speed, FFS:
𝐹𝐹𝑆 = 55 − 3.0 − 𝑓𝐴
For fA:

Hence,
𝐦𝐢
𝐅𝐅𝐒 = 55 − 3.0 − 2.5 = 𝟒𝟗. 𝟓
𝐡
Solution
2. Determine the flow rates for PTSF:
 For the hourly volume in each direction:
Vd = 1,000 x 0.6 = 600 veh/h
Vo = 1,000 x 0.4 = 400 veh/h
 Determine the grade adjustment and PCE values,
Vd 600 Vo 400
= = 652.17; = = 434.78
PHF 0.92 PHF 0.92
Solution
2. Determine the flow rates for PTSF:
 For the grade adjustment factor, fG:
By interpolation:
fG,d − 0.97 652.17 − 600
=
0.99 − 0.97 700 − 600
𝐟𝐆,𝐝 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖

fG,o − 0.90 434.78 − 400

=
0.96 − 0.90 500 − 400
𝐟𝐆,𝐨 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟐
Solution
2. Determine the flow rates for PTSF:
 For Passenger Car Equivalents, ET & ER :
By interpolation:
ET,d − 1.2 652.17 − 600
=
1.0 − 1.2 700 − 600
𝐄𝐓,𝐝 = 𝟏. 𝟏

ET,o − 1.6 434.78 − 400

=
1.4 − 1.6 500 − 400
𝐄𝐓,𝐨 = 𝟏. 𝟓

𝐄𝐑,𝐝 = 𝟏. 𝟎
𝐄𝐑,𝐨 = 𝟏. 𝟎
Solution
2. Determine the flow rates for ATS:
 For the heavy-vehicle adjustment factor, fHV:
1 1
FHV,d = =
1 + PT ET − 1 + PR ER − 1 1 + 0.07 1.1 − 1 + 0.06 1.0 − 1.0
𝐅𝐇𝐕,𝐝 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟑
1 1
FHV,o = =
1 + PT ET − 1 + PR ER − 1 1 + 0.07 1.5 − 1 + 0.06 1.0 − 1.0
𝐅𝐇𝐕,𝐨 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟔𝟔

Hence,
Vd 600 𝐩𝐜 𝐩𝐜
𝐯𝐝 = = = 𝟔𝟕𝟎. 𝟏𝟕𝟓 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝟔𝟕𝟏
PHF × fG,d × fHV,d 0.92 0.98 0.993 𝐡 𝐡
Vo 400 𝐩𝐜 𝐩𝐜
𝐯𝐨 = = = 𝟒𝟖𝟗. 𝟐𝟐𝟑 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝟒𝟗𝟎
PHF × fG,o × fHV,o 0.92 0.92 0.966 𝐡 𝐡
Solution
3. Determine the LOS:
Check vd to 1,700 pc/h and/or vd + vo to 3,200 pc/h:
• vd=671 pc/h < 1,700 pc/h
• vd + vo = 671 + 490 =1,161 pc/h < 3,200 pc/h
Hence, solve for PTSF:
vd
PTSFd = BPTSFd + fnp
vd + vo
where:
avd b
BPTSFd = 100 1 − e
Solution
avd b
BPTSFd = 100 1 − e
By interpolation:
a − −0.0022 490 − 400
=
−0.0033 − −0.0022 600 − 400
𝐚 = −𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟕

b − 0.923 490 − 400

=
0.870 − 0.923 600 − 400
𝐛 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟗𝟗
−0.0027 671 0.899
BPTSFd = 100 1 − e
𝐁𝐏𝐓𝐒𝐅𝐝 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟖𝟗𝟐 %
Solution
 For fnp:
By interpolation:
fnp − 33.4 1,161 − 800
=
22.1 − 33.4 1,400 − 800
fnp = 26.60%

fnp − 38.6 1,161 − 800

=
25.4 − 38.6 1,400 − 800
fnp = 30.658%

fnp − 26.6 50 − 40
=
30.658 − 26.6 60 − 40
𝐟𝐧𝐩 = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟔𝟐𝟗%
Solution
vd
PTSFd = BPTSFd + fnp
vd + vo
671
PTSFd = 60.892 + 28.629
671 + 490
PTSFd = 77.438%

LOS D
Learning Exercise
Questions?
Suggested Readings
 References
 Garber, N.J., & Hoel, L.A. (2009). Traffic and Highway Engineering, Fourth
Edition. Cengage Learning. Canada
 Mannering, F.L., Washburn, S.S., & Kilareski, W.P. (2009). Principles of
Highway Engineering and Traffic Analysis. John Wiley & Sons. USA

 Sigua, R.G. (2008). Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering. The University of

the Philippines Press. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
 Transportation Research Board (TRB). (2010). Highway Capacity Manual
(HCM) 2010. Transportation Research Board. The USA.
 Roess, R.P., Prassas, E.S., McShane, W.R. (2011). Traffic Engineering.
Pearson Higher Education, Inc. The USA.
 Recommended Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjSLM3-ENxU