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<br />May 22, 2017 <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />APPENDIX <br /> <br />A. Intersection Capacity Analysis <br /> <br />Traffic operations for the peak hour conditions within the study area were analyzed <br />using the industry-standard Synchro/SimTraffic Version 9 software package, which <br />uses the data and methodology contained in the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual, <br />published by the Transportation Research Board. The software model was calibrated <br />to replicate existing conditions as accurately as possible before being used to assess <br />future conditions. <br /> <br />The operating conditions of transportation facilities, such as traffic signals, stop- <br />controlled intersections and roundabouts, are evaluated based on the relationship of the <br />theoretical capacity of a facility to the actual traffic volumes on that facilit y. Various <br />factors affect capacity, including travel speed, roadway geometry, grade, number and <br />width of travel lanes, and intersection control. The current standards for evaluating <br />capacity and operating conditions are contained in the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual <br />(HCM). The procedures describe operating conditions in terms of a Level of Service <br />(LOS). Facilities are given letter designations from A, representing the best operating <br />conditions, to F, representing the worst. Generally, Level of Service D (LOS-D) <br />represents the threshold for acceptable overall intersection operating conditions during <br />a peak hour. <br /> <br />At intersections, Levels of Service are assigned differently for signalized or <br />unsignalized intersections (which include Two-Way Stop Control [TWSC], All-way <br />Stop Control [AWSC] and roundabouts). For signalized intersections, Level of <br />Service is calculated by taking the total Intersection Delay and converting it to a letter <br />grade as shown in the right side of Table A-1. For an unsignalized intersection, Level <br />of Service is calculated by taking the Intersection Delay and converting it to a letter <br />grade, as shown in the left side of Table A-1. While similar, the signalized control <br />delay totals are higher than that of unsignalized intersections. In any condition, when <br />the LOS by Volume to Capacity Ratio exceeds 1.0, the LOS is always F. <br /> <br />Under the 2010 HCM, common movements are included into lane groups. Control <br />Delay is then determined for each lane group and Levels of Service are based on this <br />Control Delay. For each lane group, Control Delay is quantified by number of <br />seconds. Control Delay is defined as the difference between the travel time that would <br />have occurred in the absence of the intersection control, and the travel time that results <br />because of the presence of the intersection control. Levels of Service are then based <br />on the control delay per vehicle.