Development of passenger car equivalencies for large trucks at signalized intersections

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · ITE J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5533524

Molina, Jr, C J

The research reported in this article attempted to quantitatively measure the difference in operating characteristics between passenger cars and trucks traveling straight through a level, signalized intersection. The data collected were used to develop passenger car equivalent (PCE) values for trucks based on truck type and position in queue. The results of this study indicate that there is a need to distinguish between different truck types when analyzing the capacity of a signalized intersection. Large five-axle truck combinations were found to have a significantly higher effect on the capacity of a signalized intersection than the smaller single-unit trucks. The 1985 HCM accounts for the presence of heavy vehicles through the use of a heavy vehicle adjustment factor. This factor is based on a PCE of 1.5, which is assumed to be the average PCE for trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles. When the traffic stream contains a significant number of heavy trucks, a larger PCE effect would be expected. This effect should be accounted for in the estimation of the intersection's capacity.

• OSTI ID: 5533524
• Journal Information: ITE J.; (United States), Journal Name: ITE J.; (United States) Vol. 57:11; ISSN ITEJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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