DETERMINING INTERSECTION TRAFFIC CONTROL USING THE 1994 HIGHWAY CAPACITY MANUAL

The purpose of this paper is to provide the practitioner with a guide for selecting intersection traffic control based on peak hour intersection volumes. With the release of the 1994 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) and the revisions to the chapter on unsignalized intersections, the ability to directly compare intersection operational results for two-way stop-control, all-way stop-control, and signalized intersections using a delay-based approach is now available. One of the warrants for traffic signal considerations is the peak hour warrant graphs contained in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Graphs have been developed using a similar format to the MUTCD peak hour volume warrant graphs using minor street volume and major street volume for three intersection operation parameters: intersection level-of-service, intersection delay, and intersection queuing. The paper focuses on the application of these graphs by the practitioner as a means to make more informed decisions about traffic control type, supplementing the procedures of the MUTCD. Topics discussed include an overview of the 1994 HCM procedures, development of the three graphs, interpretation of the graphs, and additional information that should be considered in the intersection traffic control type decisionmaking process.