DEVELOPMENT OF PASSENGER CAR EQUIVALENCIES FOR LARGE TRUCKS AT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS

Research is reported which 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 PCE (passenger car equivalent) values for trucks based on truck type and position in queue. The study conclued that truck type affects the size of the PCE. The position of the vehicle in queue did not significantly affect the PCE value for the 2- and 3-axle, single-unit trucks tyipically found in urban areas. The position of vehicle in queue has a very pronounced effect on the PCE value of large 5-axle combination trucks. The position of the last vehicle incrementally affected by the truck varies with truck type and position of the truck in the queue.