CCE 4300 Traffic Design Homework No.

6
Department of Civil and Construction

Please solve the following questions using HCS 2020, but

show the steps manually

1. Estimate the free-flow speed of a four-lane undivided multilane highway having the
following characteristics:
(a) Base free-flow speed = 60 mi/h
(b) Average lane width = 11 ft.
(c) Lateral clearance = 3 ft at both roadsides
(d) Access-point density = 15/mi on each side of the roadway.

2. A long section of suburban freeway is to be designed on level terrain. A level section of 5

miles is, however, followed by a 5% grade, 2.0 miles in length. If the DDHV is 2,500
veh/h with 10% trucks and 3% RVs, how many lanes will be needed on the
(a) Upgrade
(b) Downgrade
(c) Level terrain section
to provide for a minimum of level of service C. Assume that base conditions of lane
width and lateral clearance exist and that ramp density is 0.50/mi. The PHF = 0.92.

3. An old urban four-lane freeway has the following characteristics:

(a) 11-ft lanes
(b) No lateral clearances (0 ft)
(c) A ramp density of 2/mi
(d) 7% trucks, no RVs
(e) PHF = 0.90,
(f) Rolling terrain
The present peak-hour demand on the facility is 2,100 veh/h, and anticipated growth is
expected to be 3% per year. What is the present level of service expected? What is the
expected level of service in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? To avoid breakdown (LOS F),
when will substantial improvements be needed to this facility or alternative routes?

4. Consider the pair of ramps shown in Figure 1. It may be assumed that there is no ramp-
to-ramp flow.
(a) Given the existing demand volumes and other prevailing conditions, at what LOS is
this section expected to operate? If problems exist, which elements appear to be causing
the difficulty?
(b) It is proposed that the acceleration and deceleration lanes be joined to form a
continuous auxiliary lane. How will this affect the operation? What LOS would be
expected? Would you recommend this change?
(c) What is the capacity of the section under the two scenarios described in parts (a) and
(b)?

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CCE 4300 Traffic Design Homework No. 6
Department of Civil and Construction

Figure 1. The pair ramps of question no. 4.

5. Consider the weaving area in Figure 2. All demands are shown as flow rates in pc/h
under equivalent base conditions.

Figure 2. The weaving area of question no. 5.

(a) Describe the critical characteristics of the segment.

(b) What is the expected LOS for these conditions?
(c) What is the capacity of the weaving section under equivalent ideal conditions?
(d) If all demands include 10% trucks in rolling terrain and all drivers are assumed to be
familiar with the facility, and the PHF = 0.92, what is the capacity of the segment under
prevailing conditions?

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CCE 4300 Traffic Design Homework No. 6
Department of Civil and Construction

6. Figure 3 illustrates two consecutive ramps on an older freeway. It may be assumed that
there is a ramp-to-ramp flow of 150 veh/h. Additionally, you may assume FFS = 60 mi/h;
and ID = 2 int/mi
(a) What is the expected LOS for the conditions shown?
(b) Several improvement plans are under consideration:
i. Connect the two ramps with a continuous auxiliary lane.
ii. Add a third lane to the freeway and extend the length of acceleration and
deceleration lanes to 300 feet.
iii. Provide a lane addition at the on-ramp that continues past the off-ramp on the
downstream freeway section. The off-ramp deceleration lane remains 200 feet
long.
Which of these three improvements would you recommend? Why? Justify your answer.

Figure 3. Two consecutive ramps of question no. 6.

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