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Once classified, the urban street is divided into segments for analysis. An urban street segment is a <br />one-way section of street encompassing a series of blocks or links terminating at a signalized <br />intersection. Adjacent segments of urban streeu may be combined to form larger street sections, <br />provided that the segments have similar demand flows and characteristics. <br />Levels of service are related to the average travel speed of vehicles along the urban street segment or <br />section. <br />Travel times for existing conditions are obtained by field measurements. The maximum-car technique is <br />used. The vehicle is driven at the posted speed limit unless impeded by actual traffic conditions. In the <br />maximum-car technique, a safe level of vehicular operation is maintained by observing proper following <br />distances and by changing speeds at reasonable rates of acceleration and deceleration. The maximum- <br />car technique provides the best base for meazuring traffiic performance. <br />An observer records the travel time and locations and duration of delay. The beginning and ending <br />points are the centers of intersections. Delays include times waiting in queues at signalized <br />intersections. The travel speed is determined by dividing the length of the segment by the travel time. <br />Once the travel speed on the arterial is determined, the LOS is found by comparing the speed to the <br />criteria in Table A-IV. LOS criteria vary for the different classifications of urban street, reflecting <br />differences in driver expectations. <br />Table A-11: Functional and Design Categories for Urban Streets <br /> <br />C <br />it <br />i Functional Category <br />r <br />er <br />on <br />Principal Arterial <br />Minor Arterial <br />Mobility function Very important Important <br />Access function Very minor Substantial <br />Points connected Freeways, important activity centers, major <br />Principal arterials <br /> traffic generators <br /> Relatively long trips between major points Trips of moderate length within relatively <br />Predominant trips served and through trips entering, leaving, and small geographical areaz <br /> passing through city <br />Crit <br />ion Design Category <br />er Hlgh-Speed Su6ur6an Intermediate Urhon <br />Driveway access density Very low density Low density Moderate density High density <br /> Multilane divided; Multilane divided: Multilane divided or Undivided one <br />Arterial type undivided or two- undivided or two- <br />lane with undivided; one way, way; two way, two <br /> lane with shoulders <br />shoulders two lane or more lanes <br />Parking No No Some Usually <br />Separate lek-wrn lanes Yes Yes Usually Some <br />Signals per mile 0.5 to 2 Ito 5 4 to 10 6 to 12 <br />Speed limits 45 to 55 mph 40 co 45 mph 30 to 40 mph 25 to 35 mph <br />Pedestrian aaiviry Very little Little Some Usually <br />Roadside development Low density Low to medium Medium to High density <br /> density moderate density <br />Source: Highway Capacdy Manuo12000 <br />