Dr. Roger Roess UPDATE January 11, 2015 Mode Definitions in the HCM

UPDATE Background: Prior to HCM  Most chapters presented methods to predict operations and QOS of motorized vehicle traffic on roadways at facility, segment, and/or point levels  PCEs convert heavy vehicles into equivalent # of passenger cars when evaluating operations  “QOS requires quantitative measures to characterize operational conditions within a traffic stream…. Each level of service represents a range of operating conditions and the driver’s perception of those conditions.” (HCM2000, Ch. 2)  Separate ped, bike, transit chapters

UPDATE Background: HCM  Incorporated NCHRP 3-70 user-perception research Automobile drivers Pedestrians Bicycles Transit passengers  Multimodal approach to each methodological chapter Where modal methods existed for a particular system element, all were presented in the same chaper Automobile mode, pedestrian mode, bicycle mode, transit mode

UPDATE HCM 2010 Modal Definitions 4  Automobile mode “…includes all motor vehicle traffic using a roadway except transit vehicles. Thus, trucks, RVs, motorcycles, and tour buses are all considered members of the automobile mode for HCM analysis purposes.” (Ch. 2) “The HCM’s LOS thresholds for the automobile mode are based on the perspective of automobile drivers and passengers. Therefore, the automobile LOS measures may not necessarily reflect the perspective of drivers of other types of motorized vehicles, especially trucks.” (Ch. 2)

UPDATE HCM 2010 Modal Definitions 5  Automobile mode “The phrase automobile mode, as used in this chapter, refers to travel by all motorized vehicles that can legally operate on the street, with the exception of local transit vehicles that stop to pick up passengers at the intersection. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the word vehicles refers to motorized vehicles and includes a mixed stream of automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, and buses.” (Ch. 18)

UPDATE HCM 2010 Modal Definitions 6  Pedestrian mode “…travelers along a roadway or pedestrian facility making a journey (or at least part of their journey) on foot…. Sidewalks and pathways may be used by more than just foot-based traffic—for example, inline skaters and persons in wheelchairs—but the HCM’s LOS thresholds reflect the perspective of persons making a walking journey.” (Ch. 2)

UPDATE HCM 2010 Modal Definitions 7  Bicycle mode “…travelers on a roadway or pathway who are using a nonmotorized bicycle for their trip; bicycle LOS thresholds reflect their perspective. Mopeds and motorized scooters are not considered bicycles for HCM analysis purposes.” (Ch. 2)

UPDATE HCM 2010 Modal Definitions 8  Transit mode “Urban roadways are often shared with public transit buses and, occasionally, with rail transit vehicles such as streetcars and light rail vehicles…. The HCM’s LOS measure for transit on urban streets reflects the perspective of transit users—both those already on transit vehicles operating on the street and those waiting for transit vehicles at stops or stations along the street.” (Ch. 2) Bus speed is computed using auto speed method as a starting point, but also accounts for bus dwell time Transit LOS calculation uses ped LOS score as an input

UPDATE Trucks in the HCM 2010 Major Update 9  Truck mode added as separate mode “The HCM defines trucks as a subclass of heavy vehicles, with heavy vehicles being defined as any vehicle with more than four tires touching the ground, regardless of the number of axles. The other two subclasses of heavy vehicles within the HCM analysis framework are buses and recreational vehicles, primarily people-hauling vehicles.” (Ch. 3) NCFRP 41 research may add:  Updated PCE factors  Information on truck performance on grades  Truck LOS? (based on cargo/shipper perspective)

UPDATE Issues Raised 10  “Automobile mode” calculations reflect the performance of a mixed stream of motor vehicles, expressed in passenger car units  “Automobile mode” LOS primarily reflects auto driver perspective  “Transit” LOS reflects transit passenger perspective  “Truck” LOS reflects

UPDATE Issues Raised 11  “Automobile mode” calculations reflect the performance of a mixed stream of motor vehicles, expressed in passenger car units Is it confusing/inconsistent that trucks & buses (as vehicles) are included as part of the automobile mode in some cases, but are treated separately in other cases? Should it be called something else (e.g., “motor vehicle mode”)? Comparing HCM results to other tools  Should truck mode be called “freight” or “cargo” mode?