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Copart USA Traffic Impact Study 1/14/2020 <br />Elk River, MN <br />Appendix 1 - Level of Service Methodology <br />Traffic operations for the peak hour conditions within the study area were analyzed using <br />the industry -standard Synchro/Sim Traffic Version 10 software package, which uses the data <br />and methodology contained in the Highway Capacity Manual, Sixth Edition published by the <br />Transportation Research Board. The software model was calibrated to replicate existing <br />conditions as accurately as possible before being used to assess future conditions. <br />The operating conditions of transportation facilities, such as traffic signals, stop -controlled <br />intersections and roundabouts, are evaluated based on the relationship of the theoretical <br />capacity of a facility to the actual traffic volumes on that facility. Various factors affect <br />capacity, including travel speed, roadway geometry, grade, number and width of travel <br />lanes, and intersection control. The current standards for evaluating capacity and operating <br />conditions are contained in the Highway Capacity Manual, Sixth Edition (HCM). The <br />procedures describe operating conditions in terms of a Level of Service (LOS). Facilities are <br />given letter designations from A, representing the best operating conditions, to F, <br />representing the worst. Generally, Level of Service D (LOS-D) represents the threshold for <br />acceptable overall intersection operating conditions during a peak hour. <br />At intersections, Levels of Service are assigned differently for signalized or unsignalized <br />intersections (which include Two -Way Stop Control [TWSC], All -way Stop Control [AWSC] <br />and roundabouts). For signalized intersections, Level of Service is calculated by taking the <br />total Intersection Delay and converting it to a letter grade as shown in the right side of <br />Table A-1. For an unsignalized intersection, Level of Service is calculated by taking the <br />Intersection Delay and converting it to a letter grade, as shown in the left side of Table A-1. <br />While similar, the signalized control delay totals are higher than that of unsignalized <br />intersections. In any condition, when the LOS by Volume to Capacity Ratio exceeds 1.0, the <br />LOS is always F. <br />Under the HCM, common movements are included into lane groups. Control Delay is then <br />determined for each lane group and Levels of Service are based on this Control Delay. For <br />each lane group, Control Delay is quantified by number of seconds. Control Delay is defined <br />as the difference between the travel time that would have occurred in the absence of the <br />intersection control, and the travel time that results because of the presence of the <br />intersection control. Levels of Service are then based on the control delay per vehicle. <br />Westwood <br />