Agenda - 02-22-1999 - 1a - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.0 Capacity Analysis Capacity analyses (see Appendix) were performed for AM and PM peak traffic hour using methodologies contained in the 1994 Highway Capacity Manual (TRB Special Report 209, 1994) to determine the operating characteristics of the adjacent road network and the impacts of the proposed project. Capacity is defined as the maximum number of vehicles that can pass over a particular road segment or through a particular intersection within a set time duration. Capacity is combined with Level -of- Service (LOS) to describe the operating characteristics of a road segment or intersection. LOS is defined as a qualitative measure that describes operational conditions and motorist perceptions within a traffic stream. The Highway Capacity Manual defines six levels of service, LOS A through LOS F, with A being the best and F the worst. LOS D is most frequently used as the design standard for urbanized areas. Orange County uses LOS D for urbanized areas and LOS C for rural areas. Capacity analyses were performed for the following intersections: • US 70 Business and Lawrence Road ( unsignalized) • NC 86 and Old NC 10 ( unsignalized) • US 70 Bypass and US 70 Business (unsignalized) • Lawrence Road and Old NC 10 (unsignalized • US 70 Business Site Driveway ( unsignalized) • Lawrence Road Site Driveway (unsignalized) These intersections were analyzed because the capacity of a road segment is generally controlled by the capacity of the intersections along that segment. Stated another way, the basic road segment will carry more traffic than can pass through its intersections. The AM and PM peak -hours were examined for the unsignalized intersections. The capacity analyses are included in the Appendix and are briefly summarized in the following sub - sections. -17- 1Uf