Adaptation of Highway Capacity Manual 2000 for Planning-Level Analysis of Two-Lane and Multilane Highways in Florida

Abstract

A planning-level adaptation was developed of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000 procedure for estimating the level of service (LOS) on two-lane and multilane highways in Florida. The problems associated with planning-level adaptations in general and with uninterruptedflow highways in particular were identified. Although much of the adaptation was achieved though the use of default values for data items, some departures from the HCM procedures were required. The most significant deviation was the creation of a third class of two-lane highway to supplement the two classes currently defined in the HCM. A case was made for the existence of this class and its inclusion in a future edition of the HCM. The Florida Department of Transportation’s planning-level methodology, termed HIGHPLAN, is well suited to its intended application, which is planning-level analysis of two-lane and multilane highways in Florida. It maintains fidelity to the HCM procedures to the extent that Florida conditions will allow and Florida users will accept. As long as they are understood, the departures from the HCM should not pose significant problems for users outside of Florida. The planning-level methodology has also been implemented in a software program that produces LOS estimates and service volume tables covering sitespecific conditions.