Roadways: Facility Selection

Facility Selection

Primary Guidance Major capital projects require using a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Travel Demand Model or the Maryland Statewide Transportation Model (MSTM) , both of which are based on a 20 year time horizon System preservation projects may necessitate using a design year that supports more immediate traffic operation and/or safety needs, not to exceed 20 years

Discussion Design Year Major capital projects require using a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Travel Demand Model or the Maryland Statewide Transportation Model (MSTM) , both of which are based on a 20 year time horizon System preservation projects may necessitate using a design year that supports more immediate traffic operation and/or safety needs, not to exceed 20 years Functional Classification The facility must represent the appropriate balance between access and mobility for its intended purpose. The federal functional classification system reflects the degree of local access and regional connectivity a roadway provides. The level of access control should reflect the official functional classification as well as the actual role that the roadway serves, which may vary along a roadway corridor. While there may be substantial flexibility in defining the level of access control for new roadways, the options may be substantially more complex or limited on projects that are modifying existing roadways. Roadway Users MDOT values the needs of all roadway users, including cars, trucks, bicyclists, and pedestrians. All user needs along a roadway and across it should be considered. Truck and freight needs should consider existing truck volumes, identifying primary and secondary truck routes, and local and industry activity. Transit needs should consider coordination with transit operators when bus and/or rail service exists along a roadway. Pedestrian needs should consider locally adopted plans, existing pedestrian activity, proximity to pedestrian traffic generators, and network connectivity. Bicycle needs should consider locally adopted plans, existing bicycle activity, proximity to bicycle traffic generators, and network connectivity. Roadway Capacity and Operations Level of Service indicates general traffic capacity needs: When there is a design year Level of Service C or better, no additional capacity is needed. When there is a design year Level of Service D or worse, additional capacity may be needed. Adding capacity that creates failing conditions upstream or downstream of proposed improvements should be avoided. Other performance measures may be needed to develop solutions that address specific project needs. Additional measures may pinpoint specific capacity and operational needs more accurately. Additional measures should be considered in certain urban areas and constrained areas where level of service improvements may be cost prohibitive, physically infeasible, and/or impractical due to other project limitations. Performance measures such as vehicle queueing, network delay, latent demand, travel time, person throughput, and Planning Time Index can also be used to guide roadway capacity decisions.

See Also

• Practical Design Implementation Guidance