Division of Engineering ROC 2024-26 – Task 8: Re-examining Level of Service as a Measure of Effectiveness for Roadway Improvements [Fact Sheet]

Details

• Creators:
  Weiss, Jacob ; Buckmaster, Morgan ; Carbee, Jason
• Corporate Creators:
  HDR
• Corporate Contributors:
  Ohio. Department of Transportation. Office of Statewide Planning and Research ; Ohio. Department of Transportation. Ohio's Research Initiative for Locals (ORIL) ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Highway Maintenance Level Of Service Measures Of Effectiveness Multimodal Transportation Peak Hour Traffic Traffic Congestion Traffic Measurement Traffic Mitigation Travel Demand Travel Demand Management
• Resource Type:
  Brief
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Ohio
• Corporate Publisher:
  Ohio. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  This report evaluates the effectiveness of Level of Service (LOS) as a metric for roadway improvements. The study examines alternative measures, such as Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) or Vehicle Hours Traveled (VHT) and other Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) to assess roadway performance beyond traditional peak-hour analyses. By analyzing practices from multiple state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), including California, Colorado, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Virginia, the report identifies best practices and operational methodologies that optimize design, enhance safety, provide access for modes, and address varying land use contexts. The findings suggest that a shift towards more comprehensive metrics like multimodal considerations can provide a more holistic look at how a corridor is operating for all modes. Additionally, looking outside peak hours to see how a corridor is operating throughout the day was also discussed. Recommendations for modifying existing practices and guidelines are provided to align with evolving transportation goals, ultimately aiming to "right-size" Ohio's roadway network for improved functionality and sustainability.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  39168
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:aff0063ebe4a17ce41dabc8bf15afe4467a1e6a1c1bbc12b83a97e2896be51e3220d9571077d1793734c75de4c67647c14da1eddf6e66c77b1203b1025799d0d
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86825/dot_86825_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 275.77 KB ]