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CAPACITY ANALYSIS AND LEVEL-OF-SERVICE intersections controlled by two-way STOP or YIELD
ANALYSIS ON AN UNSIGNALIZED signs).

INTERSECTION
A. CAPACITY ANALYSIS
The overall objective of the study was an
empirical comparison of procedures to estimate  The computational steps involve identifying the
unsignalized intersection capacity and level of non-prior to movements (all movements from
service. Before the empirical analysis was the minor approaches and left turns from the
conducted, each major capacity analysis method major road) / determining the traffic streams
was reviewed in terms of theoretical structure, conflicting with each of the nonpriority
applicability to a broad range of traffic conditions, movements, and then applying the appropriate
and computational procedure. critical gaps.
 The maximum (or potential) capacity for each
An overview of the study methodology for the movement is read from the graph of maximum
empirical testing stated: First, each major capacity versus conflicting traffic stream. These
component of the procedures (critical gaps, capacities are then adjusted to account for
capacity, and level of service) is analyzed intersection congestion caused by the servicing
individually. Based on the comparison of theoretical of conflicting movements.
and computational structure as well as the empirical  The existing (or projected) traffic demand for the
results, each model is revised and again examined movement is converted to passenger car
with respect to field data. The methodology sought equivalents per hour (pch) to account for
to isolate the prediction errors that were due to approach grade and traffic mix. This demand is
model structure from those that were due to deducted from the calculated capacity to give
differences in drivers and driving conditions, which what is called the reserve capacity. Reserve
were captured in the Swedish and German data. capacity determines what level of service (A
through F) is assigned to the movement and
The analysis of the two unsignalized
describes the traffic delay that will be expected.
intersection capacity procedures includes the
If minor street delays are a function of critical
following specific steps.
gap and major street volume, reserve capacity
1. Comparison of the conceptual and should correlate fairly well with delay. This
computational structure of the methods; capacity model assumes that
2. Collection of data on gaps at four two-way 1. Vehicles on the major road arrive at
stop-sign controlled intersections and analysis of random;
these data to estimate the mean critical gaps for the 2. Minor road vehicles do not force their way
minor road movements. into the intersection and
3. Comparison of the critical gaps obtained from 3. Priority is given to traffic movements in the
field data with those in Circular 212, the following sequence: main street through and
subcommittee report, and the Swedish manual. right turn vehicles, minor street right turns,
4. Determination of the capacities of minor road major street left turns, minor street vehicles
approaches and the level of service to minor road crossing the major street, and minor street left
vehicles at the studied intersections using two turns.
capacity methods followed by comparison of these
B. LEVEL OF SERVICE
results with observed capacities and delays; and
5. Recommendation of revisions to the Circular  Level of service variables for freeways
212 and Swedish procedures that would make the (density), arterials (average speed), and
procedures more closely reflect U.S. drivers and signalized intersections (stopped delay) can be
driving conditions. measured in the field and compared with model
predictions. Reserve capacity is a function of
*Transportation Research Circular 212 --The model estimates and therefore cannot be
procedure in Circular 212 (1) is a method for independently measured.
computing the capacity and level-of service of
priority-type non-signalized intersections (i.e., those

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CAPACITY ANALYSIS AND LEVEL-OF-SERVICE intersections controlled by two-way STOP or YIELD

ANALYSIS ON AN UNSIGNALIZED signs).

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