Improvement the level of service for signalized arterial 2

International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print), ISSN
0976 – 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 4, July-August (2013), © IAEME
84
IMPROVEMENT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR SIGNALIZED ARTERIAL
Hamid Ahmed Awad
Lecture, Al-Anbar University – Engineering College
ABSTRACT
The increase in level of traffic congestion along urban arterial makes efficient traffic
management and utilization of these facilities of important considerations.The term level of service is
a quality measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream, generally in terms of
such service measures as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort
and convenience.
The present paper is conducted with the objectives of the evaluation of the level of service at
Al-Forqan Street in Fallujha City, and development of alternative strategies to improve level of
service. Data has been collected through field surveys on the selected arterial. The designated arterial
has three signalized intersections. Traffic volume for arterials segments and signalized intersections
data were collected manually, free flow speed for all segment was obtained from spot speed study,
the arterial was analyzed as a street with signalized intersections (existing conditions). Highway
Capacity System 2000 (HCS2000) program was used to compute Travel time, travel speed and
intersection delay also this program was used to determine the level of services for each segment and
for overall arterial. After improvement strategy implementation the level of service of the arterial is
up graded for all segments and for overall arterial, fourth improvement strategy provides higher
travel speed along the arterial segments in each direction.
Keywords: Arterial, Level of service, Congestion.
1. INTRODUCTION
There are main problem that urban arterials in city face its traffic congestion. Where it's
caused by: (Many people working in the central business district (C.B.D.) which may have narrow
streets, Shortage of off - street parking which means people park on the roads and so increase
congestion, People not using public transport - either because it is less convenient, too expensive or
not available and More people own and use cars). The increase in level of traffic congestion along
urban arterials makes efficient traffic management of important considerations.
Arterial level of service is defined in terms of average travel speed of all through vehicles on
the arterial, which is considered the basic measure of effectiveness for the arterial. The arterial level
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET)
ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print)
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online)
Volume 4, Issue 4, July-August (2013), pp. 84-97
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85
of service is strongly influenced by the number of intersections per mile and the average intersection
delay. Also, inappropriate signal timing, poor progression, and increasing traffic flow can degrade
the arterial level of service [1].
Improvement of the effectiveness of the traffic control parameters would contribute to reduce
the congestion and to relief those conditions that impede the flow of traffic along the arterial. In
order to obtain an effective operation of traffic along the arterial, elements that play a role in traffic
operation should be considered. These elements include geometric condition (e.g., number and width
of lanes, spacing between intersections) and regulatory measures (e.g., traffic signals and parking
control) [2].
The objectives of the present paper are to evaluate the level of service at Al-Forqan Street in
Fallujha City, and development of alternative improvement strategies to overcome its traffic
operation problems.
2. METHODOLOGY
The procedure for obtain the level of service along the selected arterial is shown in Figure (1).
Figure (1): Urban Street Methodology [3].
Computation Field
Determine LOS
Compute Average Travel Speed
• By segment
• Over entire facility
Input
• Define segments and sections.
• Length of segments.
• Number of intersections.
Free –Flow Speed (FFS)
• Determine Free – Flow Speed.
• Determine arterial street classification.
Travel time
• Compute running time.
• Compute intersection control delays.
Travel Time
• Record time stopped at intersections.
• Record travel time between segments.

86
3. STUDY AREA
Al-ForqanStreet at Al-Fallujha city was chosen as a study location. It suffers from major
traffic operation problems, especially during the peak period. This street is multilane divided arterial
and extends over a distance of 1780 m. It consists of four segments and three signalized
intersections, the geometric characteristics for Al-ForqanStreet in each direction (North and South
bound) are described in Table (1).
Table (1): Geometric Characteristics for Al-ForqanStreet
Segment (North Bound)
Geometric Characteristics
4321
390530680800Length (m)
107.57.57.5Roadway width (m)
4.03.02.01.5Shoulder width (m)
1.5555Median width (m)
3222Number of Lanes (m)
YesYesYesYesOn street parking
Segment (South Bound)
Geometric Characteristics
4321
800680530390Length (m)
7.57.57.510Roadway width (m)
1.52.03.04.0Shoulder width (m)
5551.5Median width (m)
2223Number of Lanes (m)
YesYesYesYesOn street parking
Figure (2) : Al-Forqan Street layout
Julan-Al
Int.
(No.1)
Al-
Kamaleat
Int.
(No.2)
Al-
Mahkama
Int.
(No.2)
NB
Seg. 1 800m Seg.2680m Seg.3530m Seg.4390m
SB
Seg.1390mSeg.2530mSeg.3680mSeg.4800m

87
4. TRAFFIC VOLUME DATA
Estimate the traffic volume at the arterial street, by counting the hourly traffic volume for
(15) hours from (7:00 am to 10:00 pm) during work day and clear weather for the selected arterial.
The period of volume counting were divided into three periods (Morning Period (7:00 – 12:00) am,
Afternoon Period (12:00 – 6:00) pm and Evening Period (6:00 – 10:00) pm).Table (2) shows the
traffic volume at peak hour for each period for Al-Forqan Street also Tables (3, 4 and 5) show the
properties of existing traffic operation of the three signalized intersection in the Al-Forqan Street.
Table (2): Traffic Volumes for Al-Forqan Street.
Segment (North Bound)Day
21
EveningAfternoonMorningEveningAfternoonMorning
578835298369399234Sunday
532822273303418210Monday
592772243273391205Tuesday
523740305300431218Wednesday
622978278331396197Thursday
Segment (North Bound)Day
43
EveningAfternoonEveningAfternoonEveningAfternoon
752825211511607192Sunday
803736226393678188Monday
834777197346550190Tuesday
877768104412536178Wednesday
913896193503611172Thursday
Segment (South Bound)Day
21
577732210815755266Sunday
523792168800743247Monday
592700180881764242Tuesday
503711165866687205Wednesday
599699144835706274Thursday
Segment (South Bound)Day
43
278466277802932255Sunday
287444264716915213Monday
302449258703804233Tuesday
311432212717822203Wednesday
3004122647881035217Thursday

88
Table (3): Properties of existing traffic operation at Al-Julan intersection (No.1)
Approach Movements Vol.
HV
(%)
Number of
Lanes
Cycle Length(sec)
Green Yellow
From 40th
Street (East
Direction).
L 820 2
4(Shared) 36 2TH 632 4
R 176 2
From Al-Julan District
(West Direction).
L 122 6
2(Shared) 18 2TH 415 4
R 216 7
From Al-Wahda District
(North Direction).
L 272 3
3(Shared) 23 2TH 444 5
R 80 7
From Al-Jamhoria
District (South
Direction).
L 380 1
3(Shared) 35 2TH 400 4
R 440 3
Cycle Time Length (120 sec)
Table (4): Properties of existing traffic operation at Al-Kamaleat intersection (No.2)
HV
(%)
Number of
Lanes
Cycle Length(sec)
Green Yellow
From Al-Markaez
Street (East
Direction).
L 108 6
2(Shared) 10 2TH 132 2
R 136 2
From Al-Kamaleat
District (West
Direction).
L 398 3
2(Shared) 22 2TH 126 7
R 208 9
From Al-Jamhoria
District (North
Direction).
L 146 2
3(Shared) 40 2TH 624 4
R 288 7
From Al-Mahkama
Intersection (South
Direction).
L 320 2
3(Shared) 40 2TH 636 2
R 128 4

89
Table (5): Properties of existing traffic operation at Al-Mahkama intersection (No.3)
HV
(%)
Number of
Lanes
Cycle Length(sec)
Green Yellow
From Al-Mahkama
Street (East
Direction).
L 260 4
3(Shared) 20 2TH 408 8
R 224 3
From Al-Abbase
Street (West
Direction).
L 260 7
3(Shared) 27 2TH 444 6
R 280 10
From Al-Jamhoria
District (North
Direction).
L 416 6
3(Shared) 33 2TH 588 9
R 152 2
From New Street
(South Direction).
L 288 3
3(Shared) 32 2TH 496 5
R 322 7
5. FREE-FLOW SPEED
Free-flow speed is the theoretical speed of traffic density approaches zero. It is the speed at
which drivers fell comfortable traveling under physical, environmental, and traffic conditions
existing on an uncongested section of urban street segment. Tables (6 and 7) present the spot speed
for all segments in each direction for Al-Forqan Street, where the 85th
speed is consider as free flow
speed for each segment.
The minimum sample size for spot speed study are computed according to this equation, the
following formula is used to determine the minimum sample size,required for any statistical analysis.
ܰ ൌ ൬
ܼ ‫כ‬ ܵ
‫ܧ‬
൰
ଶ
ሺ1ሻ
Where:
N: Minimum sample size.
Z: Confidence level (95%).
S: Estimate of the standard deviation.
E: Range of error (2.5 km/hr).

90
Table (6): Observed speed distribution for all segments
Class width
(Km/hr)
Segments (North Bound)
1 2 3 4
Frequency Frequency Frequency Frequency
25 - 30 1 2 2 2
30 - 35 3 7 5 13
35 - 40 8 19 13 23
40 - 45 12 23 18 15
45 - 50 16 15 22 14
50 - 55 20 13 11 11
55 - 60 14 7 9 8
60 - 65 9 5 7 5
65 - 70 7 4 6 4
70 - 75 6 3 4 3
75 - 80 4 2 3 2
N (observed) 100 100 100 100
N (required) 81 75 83 84
Class width
(Km/hr)
Segments (South Bound)
1 2 3 4
Frequency Frequency Frequency Frequency
25 - 30 2 3 2 1
30 - 35 8 4 5 4
35 - 40 19 17 16 7
40 - 45 20 22 22 15
45 - 50 16 18 15 22
50 - 55 12 11 11 16
55 - 60 9 9 9 12
60 - 65 5 5 7 10
65 - 70 4 4 6 7
70 - 75 3 4 5 4
75 - 80 2 3 2 2
N (observed) 100 100 100 100
N (required) 77 82 85 71

91
Table (7): Speed Characteristics of observed speed for all segments
Speed Characteristics
Segments (North Bound)
1 2 3 4
Value Value Value Value
Average Speed (km/hr) 53.3 47.25 49.75 46.35
85th
Speed (Free flow speed) (km/hr) 63.77 57.38 61.33 57.00
Standard Deviation (km/hr) 11.41 11.03 11.58 11.68
Speed Characteristics
Segments (South Bound)
1 2 3 4
Value Value Value Value
Average Speed (km/hr) 47.40 48.40 49.20 51.75
85th
Speed (Free flow speed) (km/hr) 57.31 58.84 61.27 61.62
Standard Deviation (km/hr) 11.18 11.52 11.73 10.69
6. ARTERIAL INTERSECTION DELAY
In order to compute the arterial or section speed, the individual intersection delays are
needed. The intersection total delay for the through movement is considered the delay which is used
in the arterial evaluation because average travel time is influenced by both stopped delay and delay
due to decelerating and accelerating. Total delay can be related to stopped delay as follows:
Equation (2) is used to compute the control delay and equations (3) and (4) are used to compute
uniform delay and incremental delay , respectively .
݀ ൌ ݀ଵሺܲ‫ܨ‬ሻ ൅ ݀ଶ ൅ ݀ଷ ሺ2ሻ
݀ଵ ൌ
0.5‫ܥ‬ ሾ1 െ ሺ݃ ‫ܥ‬⁄ ሻሿଶ
ൣ1 െ ൫‫݊݅ܯ‬ ሺܺ, 1ሻ൯ሺ݃ ‫ܥ‬⁄ ሻ൧
ሺ3ሻ
݀ଶ ൌ 900ܶ ቎ሺܺ െ 1ሻ ൅ ඨሺ‫ݔ‬ െ 1ሻଶ ൅
8‫ܺܫܭ‬
ܿܶ
቏ ሺ4ሻ
Where:
d: Stopped delay (sec/veh).
d1: Uniform delay (sec/veh).
PF: Progression adjustment factor.
d2: Incremental delay (sec/veh).
d3: initial queue delay to account for delay due to any initial queue at the beginning of the analysis
period.
X: volume to capacity (v/c) ratio for the lane group (also termed degree of saturation).
C: Cycle length (sec).

92
c: Capacity of lane group (veh/hr).
g: Effective green time for lane group (sec).
T: Duration of analysis period (hour).
K: Incremental delay adjustment for the actuated control; and
I: Incremental delay adjustment for the filtering or metering by upstreamsignals.
7. ANALYSIS
7.1 Input Required Data
The first step in the analysis is obtaining these data: (Define segments and sections, Length of
segments, Number of intersections,Free – Flow Speed and arterial street classification), these input
data are shown in Table (8).
Table (8): Input data for Al-Forqan Street
IVIIIIIIArterial Street Class
40 to 50
(km/hr)
50 to 55
(km/hr)
55 to 70
(km/hr)
90 to 70
(km/hr)
Ranges of free-flow speeds
Segment (North Bound)
North Bound (NB)
4321
63.7757.3861.3357.00Free Flow Speed (Km/hr)
IIIIIIIIArterial Street Class
390530680800Length (m)
3Number of intersection
Segment (South Bound)
South Bound (SB)
4321
57.3158.8461.2761.62Free Flow Speed (Km/hr)
IIIIIIIIArterial Street Class
800680530390Length (m)
3Number of intersection
7.2Compute Running time, intersection control delay, travel speed and determine LOS for all
segments
There are two principal components of the total time that a vehicle spends on asegment of an
urban street: running time and control delay at signalized intersections. Highway Capacity System
(HSC 2000) program is used toCompute the running time, control delay at signalized intersections
for all segments, travel speed and determined LOS for all segments and for overall arterial. Table (9)
shows the level of service for Al-Forqan Street (existing Condition).
8. IMPROVEMENT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR AL-FORQAN STREET
8.1 Repair the distresses in Al-Forqan Street (first improvement)
The arterial street is liable to more defects happening during the repeated traffic loads on the
street while some of sections are contained clearly distresses specially, in segments (2 and 3) in each
directions. These parts of the arterial street must be maintained and repaired at a level that permit
vehicles to travel safety and at speeds required to provide a profitable and competitive service. Table
(10) shows the level of service for Al-Forqan Street (after first improvement).

93
Table (9): Level of service for Al-Forqan Street (existing condition)
North Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time
(sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
D31.591.30.044.347.08001
D28.386.55.037.444.16802
E24.976.74.037.835.05303
C42.233.30.04.628.73904
South Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time
(sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
F19.870.80.042.128.73901
E25.176.05.035.435.65302
D26.991.17.041.742.46803
B58.749.00.01.048.18004
Arterial LOS
574.9Total travel time (sec)
4800Total length (m)
30.1Total travel speed (km/hr)
DTotal Arterial LOS
Table (10): Level of service for Al-Forqan Street (after first improvement)
North Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time
(sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
D31.591.30.044.347.08001
D30.081.50.037.444.16802
D26.272.70.037.835.05303
C42.233.30.04.628.73904
South Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time
(sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
F19.870.80.042.128.73901
D26.971.00.035.435.65302
D29.184.10.041.742.46803
B58.749.00.01.048.18004
Arterial LOS
DTotal Arterial LOS

94
8.2 Eliminating on-street parking in Al-Forqan Street (second improvement)
The eliminating on-street parking along Al-ForqnStreet would be increased the lane group
capacity; therefore, the value of the traffic volume to the capacity (v/c) would be became low and the
result would be improved in the level of service for the arterial street. Table (11) shows the level of
service for Al-Forqan Street (after second improvement).
Table (11): Level of service for Al-Forqan Street (after second improvement)
North Bound
Art. LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay (sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time (sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
D32.289.40.042.447.08001
D31.178.70.034.644.16802
D27.070.70.035.735.05303
C46.030.60.01.828.73904
South Bound
Art. LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay (sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time (sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
F20.468.70.040.028.73901
D27.769.00.033.335.65302
D31.178.80.036.342.46803
A59.248.60.00.548.18004
Arterial LOS
DTotal Arterial LOS
8.3Addition lane for all segments in each direction (third improvement)
To improve the level of service in Al-Forqan Street add lane for all segment (each direction)
along Al-Forqn Street would be increased the lane group capacity; therefore, the value of the traffic
volume to the capacity (v/c) would be became low and the result would be improved in the level of
service for the arterial street. Table (11) shows the level of service for Al-Forqan Street (after third
improvement).
8.4Construction tunnel for through movement (north and south) bound in Al_Mahkama
intersection (fourth improvement)
Tunnel is suggested to be the fourth improvement. This improvement includes a construction
of a tunnel for through movement in (north and south) in Al- Mahkam intersection (third
intersection), where this tunnel will make the through movement without delay in this intersection,
this tunnel will be two lane two directions. Table (12) shows the level of service for Al-Forqan Street
(after fourth improvement).

95
Table (11): Level of service for Al-Forqan Street (after third improvement)
North Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time (sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
D32.588.70.041.747.08001
D31.677.40.033.344.16802
D27.469.60.034.735.05303
B47.229.70.01.028.73904
South Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time (sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
E21.565.40.036.728.73901
D28.068.00.032.435.65302
D31.677.50.035.142.46803
A59.548.40.00.348.18004
Arterial LOS
DTotal Arterial LOS
Table (12): Level of service for Al-Forqan Street (after fourth improvement)
North Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time (sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
D32.588.70.041.747.08001
D31.677.70.033.544.16802
B54.035.30.00.335.05303
B47.229.70.01.028.73904
South Bound
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time (sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
B48.029.30.00.628.73901
D28.068.00.032.435.65302
D31.677.50.035.142.46803
A59.548.40.00.348.18004
Arterial LOS
CTotal Arterial LOS

96
9. FORECASTING TRAFFIC VOLUME DATA
Traffic forecast factor is calculated as follows:
V = (1 + Ar)y
(5)
Where:
V: Traffic Forecast Factor.
Ar: Annual rate of traffic increase.
Y: Traffic analysis period (year)
In the present study, the target year is taken to be the (2023). The annual rate of traffic increase is
assumed to be (2%). Table (13) shows the level of service for Al-Forqan Street (for target year
2023).
Table (13): level of service for Al-Forqan Street (for target year 2023)
NB
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time
(sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
D32.090.10.043.247.08001
D30.580.30.036.144.16802
B53.635.60.00.635.05303
C44.331.70.03.028.73904
SB
Art.
LOS
Travel
speed
(km/hr)
Sum of
time
(sec)
Other
delay
(sec)
Inter total
delay (sec)
Running
time
(sec)
Length
(m)
Seg.
B46.929.90.01.228.73901
D27.369.80.034.135.65302
D30.281.00.038.642.46803
A59.148.70.00.648.18004
Arterial LOS
CTotal Arterial LOS

97
10. CONCLUSION
A comparison analysis for travel speed in each segmentwas performed based on the
improvement strategies. Table (14) summarized the percent of increasing in travel speed related to
the improvement strategies.
Table (14): Percent of increasing in travel speed related to the improvement strategies
% improvement in Travel speed in segment (North
Bound)Improvement
4321
05.260Repair the distresses
98.49.92.2Eliminating on-street parking
11.81011.73.2Addition lane
11.811711.73.2Construction tunnel
% improvement in Travel speed in segment (South
Bound)South Bound (SB)
4321
08.27.20Repair the distresses
0.815.610.43Eliminating on-street parking
1.217.511.68.6Addition lane
1.217.511.6142Construction tunnel
REFERENCES
1. Nicholas J. Garber and Lester A. Hoel(200), “Traffic and Highway Engineering”, Third
Edition , Thomas Learning , New York.
2. C. JotinKhisty and B. Kent Lall(1990), “Transportation Engineering”, Second Edition,
prentice – Hall International, Inc., Washington.
3. Transportation Research Board (2000), “High way Capacity Manual2000”, Washington.
4. American Association of State High Way and Transportation Officials (2001), “A Policy on
Geometric Design Highways and Streets”, Washington.
5. S.G.Umashankar and Dr.G.Kalivarathan, “Prediction of Transportation Specialized Views of
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ISSN Online: 0976 – 6316.
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& Dbm in Highway Construction - A Case Study”, International Journal of Advanced
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ISSN Print: 0976-6480, ISSN Online: 0976-6499.

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