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Pedestrian conflicu and lane obstructions created by stopping or standing buses, trucks and parking <br />vehicles that cause turbulence in the traffic flow are typical of downtown streeu. <br />The speed of vehicles on urban streeu is influenced by three main factors, street environment, <br />interaction among vehicles and traffic control. As a result, these factors also affect quality of service. <br />The street environment includes the geometric characteristics of the facility, the characxer of roadside <br />activity and adjacent land uses. Thus, the environment reflecu the number and width of lanes, type of <br />median, driveway density, spacing between signalized intersections, existence of parking, level of <br />pedestrian activity and speed limit. <br />The interaction among vehicles is determined by traffic density, the propottion of trucks and buses, and <br />turning movemenu. This interaction affecu the operation of vehicles at intersections and, to a lesser <br />extent, between signals. <br />Traffic control (including signals and signs) forces a portion of all vehicles to slow or stop. The delays <br />and speed changes caused by traffic control devices reduce vehicle speeds, however, such controls are <br />needed to establish right-of-way. <br />The average travel speed for through vehicles along an urban street is the determinant of the operating <br />LOS. The travel speed along a segment, settion or entire length of an urban street is dependent on the <br />running speed between signalized intersections and the amount of control delay incurred at signalized <br />intersections. <br />LOS A describes primarily free-flow operations. Vehicles are complexely unimpeded in their ability to <br />maneuver within the traffic stream. Control delay at signalized intersections is minimal. <br />LOS B describes reasonably unimpeded operations. The ability to maneuver within the traffic stream is <br />only slightly restricted, and control delays at signalized intersections are not significant. <br />LOS C describes stable operations, however, ability to maneuver and change lanes in midblock location <br />may be more restricted than at LOS B. Longer queues, adverse signal coordination, or both may <br />contribute to lower travel speeds. <br />LOS D borders on a range in which in which small increases in flow may cause substantial increases in <br />delay and decreases in travel speed. LOS D may be due to adverse signal progression, inappropriate <br />signal timing, high volumes, or a combination of these factors. <br />LOS E is characterized by significant delays and lower travel speeds. Such operaxions are caused by a <br />combination of adverse progression, high signal density, high volumes, extensive delays at critical <br />intersections, and inappropriate signal timing. <br />LOS F is characterized by urban street flow at extremely low speeds. Intersection congestion is likely at <br />critical signalized locations, with high delays, high volumes, and extensive queuing. <br />The methodology to determine LOS stratifies urban streeu into four classifications. The classifications <br />are complex, and are related to functional and design categories. Table A-II describes the functional and <br />design categories, while Table A-III relates these to the urban street classification. <br />