HOMEWORK#2 Solutions

Fadi Alhomaidat, Spring 2020
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
HOMEWORK # 2
SOLUTIONS
Answer the following problems:
Problem 1
Page 1 of 17
Problem 2
Page 2 of 17
Problem 3
Page 3 of 17
Problem 4
Page 4 of 17
Problem 5
Page 5 of 17
Problem 6
Page 6 of 17
Problem 7
Given data;
• Number of lanes in one direction N = 3
• PHF = 0.9
• Lane width = 11 ft
• Shoulder width = 4 ft (right side)
• Heavy vehicle percentage (Hv) = 0.1
• Level of service for the conditions (LOS) = C
• Total number of on and off ramp within 3-miles = 3
• Rolling terrain
What is the hourly volume for these conditions?
1. Determine the FFS

From the formula
FFS = 75.4 – FLW – FLC – (3.22*TRD0.84)
From the tables, determine different adjustment factors
For lane width (fLW) = 1.9
For lateral clearance (fLC) = 0.8
Total ramp density (TRD) = 0.5
Substitute the adjustments into the general formula for the FFS
FFS = 75.4 – fLW – fLC – (3.22*TRD0.84) = 75.4 -1.9 - 0.8 - (3.22*0.50.84) = 70.9
Therefore, the FFS is 70.9 mi/h
2. Determination of analysis flow rate (vp)

For a FFS value 70.9 mi/h at LOS C, the capacity is 2400 pcphpl and the v/c ratio is
0.724
Substituting it in
𝑣𝑝 = 0.724 ∗ 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 0.724 ∗ 2400 = 1738 𝑝𝑐𝑝ℎ𝑝𝑙
Thus the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate (vp) is 1738 pc/h/ln.
3. Determination of the hourly volume (V)

𝑉
From 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹∗𝑁∗𝑓
𝐻𝑉
Page 7 of 17
1
But 𝑓𝐻𝑉 = 1+ 𝑃
𝑇 ∗(𝐸𝑇 −1)
For a rolling terrain, ET = 3 Substitute them in the formula.

1 1
𝑓𝐻𝑉 = = = 0.833
1 + 𝑃𝑇 ∗ (𝐸𝑇 − 1) 1 + 0.1 ∗ (3.0 − 1)
Therefore, the value for fHV is 0.833
From
𝑉
𝑣𝑝 = ; 𝑉 = 𝑣𝑝 ∗ 𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗ 𝑁 ∗ 𝑓𝐻𝑉 = 1738 ∗ 0.9 ∗ 3 ∗ 0.833
𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗ 𝑁 ∗ 𝑓𝐻𝑉
= 3,908 𝑉𝑒ℎ/ℎ
Therefore, the hourly volume is V = 3,908 Veh/h
Problem 8
Given data;
• Same freeway as above
• Percent upgrade = 3.5
• Directional hourly volume (V) = 5435 vehicles
• Heavy vehicle split is 50% by 50%
How long can the grade be without the freeway LOS dropping to F?
1. Determine the heavy vehicle adjustment factor (fHV)

𝑉 𝑉 5435
From 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹∗𝑁∗𝑓 ; 𝑓𝐻𝑉 = = 0.9∗3∗𝑣
𝐻𝑉 𝑃𝐻𝐹∗𝑁∗𝑣𝑝 𝑝
For the segment to drop to LOS E, the capacity has to be 2,400 pcphpl and the v/c ratio is
1
Thus vp is 2,400 pc/h/ln
𝑉 5435
Substitute in; 𝑓𝐻𝑉 = = 0.9∗3∗2400 = 0.8387
𝑃𝐻𝐹∗𝑁∗𝑣𝑝
Therefore, the value for the heavy vehicle adjustment factor (fHV) = 0.8387
2. Determine the passenger car equivalent for heavy vehicle (ET)
Page 8 of 17
1 1 1 1 1
From; 𝑓𝐻𝑉 = 1+ 𝑃 thus 𝐸𝑇 = [𝑃 (𝑓 − 1)] + 1 = [0.1 (0.8387 − 1)] + 1 =
𝑇 ∗(𝐸𝑇 −1) 𝑇 𝐻𝑉
2.9232
Therefore, the value for the passenger car equivalent for heavy vehicle (ET) = 2.9232
Interpolate the following values from the tables
X Y
0.625 2.89
? 2.923
0.875 3.01
Linear interpolation yields that 2.923 corresponds to 0.69 miles.

Hence the segment will drop to LOS F after a distance of 0.69 miles.
Problem 9
Given data;
• PHF1 = 0.85
• Level of service for the conditions (LOS) = B
• Total number of on and off ramp within 3-miles (Nr1) = 0
• Level terrain
• Traffic density (D) = 15.6
• Traffic volume after construction (V2) = 2 * V1
• Peak hour factor after construction (PHF2) = 0.95
What is the new LOS and Density?

From the formula
FFS = 75.4 – FLW – FLC – (3.22*TRD0.84)
From the tables, Determine different adjustment factors
Page 9 of 17
Total ramp density (TRD) = 0

FFS = 75.4 – FLW – FLC – (3.22*TRD0.84) = 75.4 -1.9 - 0.6 = 72.9
2. Determine the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate before construction
(vp1)
From Break point (BP) = 1000 + 40 * (75 – FFS) = 1000 + 40 (75 – 72.9) = 1,084 pcphpl
For D = vp/S Assume that 𝑣𝑝 ≤ 𝐵𝑃 thus; S = FFS = 72.9 mi/h
Check; 𝑣𝑝 = 𝐷 ∗ 𝑆 = 15.6 ∗ 72.9 = 1,137 Not OK
𝐶 2
(𝐹𝐹𝑆− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 𝐵𝑃) 𝑉𝑝 𝑉𝑝
45
Thus; 𝑆 = 𝐹𝐹𝑆 − [ ] 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆 = thus; = 𝐹𝐹𝑆 −
(𝐶−𝐵𝑃)2 𝐷 𝐷
𝐶 2
(𝐹𝐹𝑆− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 𝐵𝑃)
45
[ ]
(𝐶−𝐵𝑃)2
𝐶 2
(𝐹𝐹𝑆− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 𝐵𝑃)
45
Therefore; 𝑉𝑝1 = 𝐷 ∗ (𝐹𝐹𝑆 − [ ]) = 15.6 ∗ (72.9 −
(𝐶−𝐵𝑃)2
2400 2
(72.9− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 1084)
45
[ (2400−1084)2
])
2
Solving for vp ; 𝑉𝑝1 = 1137.24 − (1.3 ∗ 10−5 ) ∗ (𝑉𝑝1 − 1084) = 1,137 𝑝𝑐𝑝ℎ𝑝𝑙
Thus the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate before construction (vp1) is 1,137
pc/h/ln.
3. Determination of the hourly volume before construction (V1)

1 𝑉
From 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗𝑁∗𝑓
1 𝐻𝑉
1
𝑇 ∗(𝐸𝑇 −1)
For a level terrain, ET = 2 Substitute them in the formula.

1 1
𝑓𝐻𝑉 = = = 0.8696
1 + 𝑃𝑇 ∗ (𝐸𝑇 − 1) 1 + 0.15 ∗ (2 − 1)
Page 10 of 17
1 𝑉
From 𝑣𝑝1 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗𝑁∗𝑓 ; 𝑉1 = 𝑣𝑝1 ∗ 𝑃𝐻𝐹1 ∗ 𝑁 ∗ 𝑓𝐻𝑉 = 1137 ∗ 0.85 ∗ 4 ∗ 0.87 =
1 𝐻𝑉
3,364 𝑉𝑒ℎ/ℎ
Therefore, the hourly volume before construction is V1 = 3,364 Veh/h
4. Determine the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate after construction
(vp2)
2 𝑉 1 2∗ 𝑉 2∗3364
From 𝑣𝑝2 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗𝑁∗𝑓 for V2 = 2 * V1 ; Thus 𝑣𝑝2 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗𝑁∗𝑓 = 0.95∗4∗0.8696 =
2 𝐻𝑉 2 𝐻𝑉
2.035pcphpl
Therefore, the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate after construction (vp) is
2,035 pc/h/ln.
From the formula for breakpoint (BP);
Break point = 1000 + 40 * (75 – FFS)
But FFS = 75.4 – FLW – FLC – (3.22*TRD0.84) = 75.4 -1.9 - 0.6 - (3.22*10.84) = 69.68
Thus breakpoint = 1000 + 40 * (75 – 69.68) = 1213pcphpl
Since vp > break point, thus S is given by the formula;
𝐶 2
(𝐹𝐹𝑆 − ) ∗ (𝑣𝑝 − 𝐵𝑃)
𝑆 = 𝐹𝐹𝑆 − [ 45 ] 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶
(𝐶 − 𝐵𝑃)2
= 𝑀𝑖𝑛 [2200 + 10 ∗ (𝐹𝐹𝑆 − 50) ; 2400] = 2397

2397
(69.68− )∗(2035− 1212)2
Hence; S = 69.68 − [ 45
] = 69.68 – 7.9 = 61.78 mi/h
(2397−1212)2
𝑣𝑝 2035
Substitute in the formula for density 𝐷 = 𝑆
= 61.78
= 32.9 𝑝𝑐𝑝𝑚𝑝𝑙
Therefore, the value for density is 32.9 pc/mi/ln.

For the value of density is between 35 and 45, thus it is LOS D
Page 11 of 17
PROBLEM 10.
Given data;
• PHF1 = 0.85
• Free flow speed measured (FFS) = 45mi/h
• Level terrain
• Hourly volume (V) = 1300 veh/h
What is the highway’s LOS?
1. Determine the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate (vp)
From
𝑉
𝑣𝑝 =
𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗ 𝑁 ∗ 𝑓𝐻𝑉
But
1
𝑓𝐻𝑉 =
1 + 𝑃𝑇 ∗ (𝐸𝑇 − 1)
For a level terrain, ET = 2 Substitute them in the formula.
1 1
𝑓𝐻𝑉 = = = 0.926
1 + 𝑃𝑇 ∗ (𝐸𝑇 − 1) 1 + 0.08 ∗ (2 − 1)

𝑉 1300
Substitute in 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹∗𝑁∗𝑓 = 0.85∗2∗0.926 = 826 pcphpl
𝐻𝑉
Therefore, the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate (vp) is 826 pc/h/ln.
Since the vp < 1400 Then S = FFS = 45 mi/h
𝑣𝑝 826
Substitute in the formula for density 𝐷 = = = 18.35 𝑝𝑐𝑝𝑚𝑝𝑙
𝑆 45
Therefore, the value for density is 18.35 pc/mi/ln and LOS is C because the density is
between 18 and 26.
Page 12 of 17
PROBLEM 11
Given data;
• PHF = 0.9
• Two way left turn median
• Average access point spacing = 15 points per mile
• Directional peak-hour traffic (V) = 4000vehicles
• Percentage split 14% SUT and 6% TTs
• Speed limit (SL) = 55mi/h
• Percentage grade 4% with length 1.5 miles
• Number of access points per mile (NA) = 15
What is the Level of Service (LOS)?

From the formula
FFS = BFFS – FLW – FLC – FM - fA
For median (fM) = 0
For Access points (fA) = 3.798
FFS = BFFS – FLW – FLC – FM - fA = 55+5 – 1.9 – 0.4 – 0 – 3.798 = 53.9

From
𝑉 1
𝑣𝑝 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹∗𝑁∗𝑓 But 𝑓𝐻𝑉 = 1+ 𝑃
𝐻𝑉 𝑇 ∗(𝐸𝑇 −1)
For a 14% SUT and 6% TTs this is equivalent to 70% SUT by 30% TTs split,
Page 13 of 17
Thus from the table and by interpolating the following values

X Y
4.5 2.64
4.0 ?
3.5 2.44
Linear interpolation yields that 4% corresponds to ET = 2.54 Substitute in the formula.

1 1
𝑓𝐻𝑉 = = = 0.765
1 + 𝑃𝑇 ∗ (𝐸𝑇 − 1) 1 + 0.2 ∗ (2.54 − 1)
Substitute in
𝑉 4000
𝑣𝑝 = = = 1937 𝑝𝑐/ℎ/𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗ 𝑁 ∗ 𝑓𝐻𝑉 0.9 ∗ 3 ∗ 0.765
Therefore, the vp is 1,937 pc/h/lane
Since vp > 1,400 thus
𝐶 1.31
(𝐹𝐹𝑆− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 1400)
𝑆 = 𝐹𝐹𝑆 − [ 45
(𝐶−1400)1.31
] and C = Min [1900 + 20 * (FFS – 45), 2300]
Thus, C = Min [2078, 2300] = 2,078 pcphpl substitute in

𝐶 1.31 2078
(𝐹𝐹𝑆− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 1400) (53.9− )∗(1937− 1400)1.31
45 45
𝑆 = 𝐹𝐹𝑆 − [ (𝐶−1400)1.31
] = 53.9 − [ (2078−1400)1.31
] = 48.2
Therefore, the value of average passenger car speed (S) is 48.31 mi/h
𝑣𝑝 1937
𝑆 48.2
Thus, the highway LOS is E for the value of density is between 35 and 45.
Page 14 of 17
PROBLEM 12
Given data;
• Shoulder width = 5 ft
• Undivided highway
• Average access point spacing = 15 points per mile
• Directional peak-hour traffic (V) = 2,340 vehicles
• Max 15 min flow (Vmax) = 620 vehicles
• Percentage split 10% SUT and 10% TTs
• Speed limit (SL) = 60mi/h
• Percentage grade 4% with length 0.62 miles
• Number of access points (NA) = 15
How many of the access point have to be blocked to achieve the Level of Service (LOS)
C?

From the formula
FFS = BFFS – FLW – FLC – FM - fA
For median (fM) = 1.6
For Access points 15 per 0.62 yields 24.2 access points per mile thus, (fA) = 6.05
FFS = BFFS – FLW – FLC – FM - fA = 60+5 – 1.9 – 0.2 – 1.6 – 6.05 = 55.25 mi/h

𝑉
From 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑃𝐻𝐹∗𝑁∗𝑓
𝐻𝑉
1
𝑇 ∗(𝐸𝑇 −1)
Page 15 of 17
For a 10% SUT and 10% TTs this is equivalent to 50% SUT by 50% TTs split,
Thus from the table, ET = 2.52 (Multiple interpolation); Substitute in the formula.
1 1
𝑓𝐻𝑉 = = = 0.767
1 + 𝑃𝑇 ∗ (𝐸𝑇 − 1) 1 + 0.2 ∗ (2.52 − 1)

𝑉 2340
Also 𝑃𝐻𝐹 = 4∗ 𝑉 = 4∗ 620 = 0.944
𝑚𝑎𝑥
Substitute in
𝑉 2340
𝑣𝑝 = = = 1,617 𝑝𝑐/ℎ/𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
𝑃𝐻𝐹 ∗ 𝑁 ∗ 𝑓𝐻𝑉 0.944 ∗ 2 ∗ 0.767
Therefore, the vp is 1,617 pc/h/lane
3. Determine current LOS
Since vp > 1,400 thus

𝐶 1.31
(𝐹𝐹𝑆− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 1400)
𝑆 = 𝐹𝐹𝑆 − [ 45
(𝐶−1400)1.31
] and C = Min [1900 + 20 * (FFS – 45) , 2300]
Thus, C = Min [2150, 2300] = 2,105 pcphpl substitute in

𝐶 1.31 2105
(𝐹𝐹𝑆− )∗(𝑣𝑝 − 1400) (55.25− )∗(1617− 1400)1.31
45 45
𝑆 = 𝐹𝐹𝑆 − [ (𝐶−1400)1.31
] = 55.25 − [ (2105−1400)1.31
] = 53.44
Therefore, the value of average passenger car speed (S) is 53.44 mi/h
𝑣𝑝 1617
𝑆 53.44
Thus, the highway LOS is D for the value of density is between 26 and 35.
4. Determine the requirements for the intended LOS C

For LOS C requirement, the density (D) has to be ≤ 26 𝑝𝑐𝑝𝑚𝑝𝑙
𝑣𝑝 𝑣𝑝
Form 𝐷≤ ; ≤ 𝑆 thus 𝑆 ≥ 62.19 mi/h
𝑆 26
For the value of S to be > 62.19, the value of FFS has to > than 62.19
Using figure to get FFS curve for LOS C; FFS = 64 mi/h
Page 16 of 17
From FA = BFFS - FLW - FLC - FM – FFS = 65 – 1.9 – 0.2 – 1.6 – 64 = -2.7 (This cannot
be achieved)
This implies that even with zero access points (FA = 0), LOS C cannot be achieved.
Other additional measures would be needed.
Page 17 of 17

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Fadi Alhomaidat, Spring 2020

Answer the following problems:

1. Determine the FFS

2. Determination of analysis flow rate (vp)

3. Determination of the hourly volume (V)

For a rolling terrain, ET = 3 Substitute them in the formula.

Therefore, the value for fHV is 0.833

1. Determine the heavy vehicle adjustment factor (fHV)

2. Determine the passenger car equivalent for heavy vehicle (ET)

Linear interpolation yields that 2.923 corresponds to 0.69 miles.

1. Determine the FFS

Total ramp density (TRD) = 0

3. Determination of the hourly volume before construction (V1)

For a level terrain, ET = 2 Substitute them in the formula.

Therefore, the value for fHV is 0.87

= 𝑀𝑖𝑛 [2200 + 10 ∗ (𝐹𝐹𝑆 − 50) ; 2400] = 2397

Therefore, the value for density is 32.9 pc/mi/ln.

Therefore, the value for fHV is 0.926

What is the Level of Service (LOS)?

1. Determine the FFS

2. Determine the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate (vp)

Thus from the table and by interpolating the following values

Linear interpolation yields that 4% corresponds to ET = 2.54 Substitute in the formula.

Therefore, the value for fHV is 0.765

Thus, C = Min [2078, 2300] = 2,078 pcphpl substitute in

1. Determine the FFS

2. Determine the 15-min passenger car equivalent flow rate (vp)

Therefore, the value for fHV is 0.767

3. Determine current LOS

Since vp > 1,400 thus

Thus, C = Min [2150, 2300] = 2,105 pcphpl substitute in

4. Determine the requirements for the intended LOS C

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