Multimodal Level of Service Guide for King County

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4.0 multimodal level of service models LOS A (Example output, HCM 2000)

used version, however, this section will provide a summary of its contents as it relates to multimodal LOS and the weaknesses associated with its recommended approach from a multimodal perspective.

Table 2: HCM 2000 LOS Criteria for Urban Street Mode

LOS Criterion

Comments (NCHRP 616)

Auto

Mean auto speed for through traffic

Only applies to arterials, not collector or local streets

Transit

Hours of daily service, reliability

These are the two segment LOS criteria for availability and comfort and convenience

Bicycle

Mean speed of bicycle through traffic

Applies only if designated bicycle lanes are present

Pedestrian

Mean speed of pedestrian through traffic

Applies only if sidewalk is present

Source: NCHRP Report 616

Highway Capacity Manual 2000 The HCM 2000, which provides LOS procedures for auto, transit, bicycle and pedestrian modes, is the most widely used manual for calculating LOS. In contrast to the HCM 2010, the HCM 2000 considers the four modes separately. The HCM 2010 integrates all modes into one chapter, making it easier to make comparisons between different cross-sections. The HCM 2000 procedures are also based primarily on speed and delay. The HCM 2010 integrates qualitative factors that are more appropriate to determining the level of service provided for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users.

LOS F (Example output, HCM 2000)

The Pedestrian LOS measures included in the HCM 2000 are based on research conducted for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (Rouphail, Recommended Procedures for Chapter 13, Pedestrians, of the Highway Capacity Manual, 1999). The Pedestrian LOS analysis is computed by counting pedestrians who cross a point over a certain period of time (typically 15-minute intervals). This results in what has been termed a “flow rate.” For sidewalks, the estimation model is based on space per pedestrian whereas at intersections, Pedestrian LOS is based on delay. Although there are disadvantages to this model, the LOS is easy to

multimodal level of service in king county

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calculate and collect data for. One of the key disadvantages to the model is that it does not take into account many physical, environmental and psychological factors that influence the pedestrian experience. The image on this page Table 3: HCM 2000 Bicycle LOS for Bicycle Lanes on Urban StreetsPedestrian LOS for sidewalks LOS

Average Bicycle Speed

LOS

Space/Pedestrian

A

>14 mph

A

>60 square feet

B

9-14

B

40-60

C

7-9

C

24-40

D

5-7

D

15-24

E

4-5

E

8-15

F

<4

F

≤8

Source: NCHRP Report 616

illustrates Pedestrian LOS scores based on the HCM 2000 methodologies. Under this approach, a sidewalk with no pedestrians may receive an LOS “A.” This representation shows how key quality of service factors are omitted from the HCM 2000 procedures (NY DCP, Transportation Division, 2006). The Bicycle LOS measures included in the HCM are also based on research conducted by the FHWA (Rouphail, Recommended Procedures for Chapter 14, Bicycles, of the Highway Capacity Manual, 1999), providing calculation

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