(A) An intersection’s LOS is similar to a “report card” rating, based on the average vehicle delay (seconds per vehicle) for all movements at the intersection. Level of service A, B and C indicate conditions where vehicles can move freely. Level of service D and E are progressively worse and generally indicate intersections where queuing of vehicles occur. Level of service F is the worst performance an intersection can attain.
(B) Another measure of effectiveness is the volume-to-capacity (v/c) ratio. This is a measure of the actual number of vehicles that utilize the intersection during the peak hour compared to the amount of capacity (number of vehicles an intersection can accommodate) available. As an intersection becomes more heavily utilized, the v/c ratio increases, heading toward a maximum value of 1.0. When the v/c ratio exceeds 1.0, the demand is greater than the intersection capacity, revealing that more traffic wants to use the intersection that it can actually serve (most commonly seen when forecasting future conditions).
(Ord. passed 6- -2009)