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i <br />1 OKS Associates <br />W <br />The ICU method of analyzing intersection operations is one of several parallel methods <br />( developed in the last two decades that allows the traffic engineer to perform a simple calculation <br />of operating conditions at a signalized intersection. The end result, the overall intersection <br />capacity utilization, is defined as the sum of the ratios of approach volume divided by approach <br />capacity for each leg of intersection which controls overall traffic signal timing plus an allowance <br />for clearance times. Thus, an ICU value of 1.00 corresponds to a condition where the sum of <br />the approach volumes controlling the signal exactly equals the sum of the approach capacities <br />` servicing these volumes. <br />The method requires data related to the following intersection characteristics: <br />• Approach lane geometries and capacities, <br />• Turning movement volumes, and <br />. Signal control characteristics. <br />The first data requirement pertains to intersection geometry and driver characteristics. It is <br />necessary to determine the number of lanes available on each approach to the intersection, <br />which turning movements utilize each intersection, and the number of vehicles per hour of green <br />time that a particular lane can carry. This last value is heavily dependent on driver behavior, <br />and has been shown to range from 1,500 -1,800 vehicles per hour of green time. The analysis <br />contained in this report is based on a capacity of 1,600 vehicles per hour of green time for <br />through lanes and 1,500 for turn lanes. <br />The traffic volumes used in ICU analysis can be either actual traffic volumes counted under <br />existing conditions, or projections of existing volumes combined with expected traffic generated <br />by new development in the area. Loth types of traffic volumes are analyzed in this report. <br />Finally, the ICU analysis assumes that the signal at an intersection is ideally timed for the <br />approaching traffic volumes. It is thus possible to have an acceptable ICU value and have one <br />or more approaches to the intersection experience poor operations because of signal timing <br />problems. The ICU method does not take interactions with other nearby intersections into <br />account either, so queues from nearby congested locations can also lead to a situation where <br />the ICU calculation indicates acceptable conditions, while severe congestion occurs as a result <br />of interactions with other locations. <br />Once all of the necessary information has been assembled, the actual ICU analysis consists of <br />determining the volume -to- capacity (VIC) ratio for each signal phase /approach and summing the <br />individual ratios_ To arrive at the overall ICU, a clearance lost time will be finally added to the <br />calculated VIC ratio. A clearance lost time of 0.02 has been considered in this analysis. <br />Table 3 -3 provides a detailed explanation of level of service for signalized intersections. <br />28657.P40223x0fpr 14 <br />