Determination of Intersection Control Type Using the HCM 2000

Selecting an intersection control type can be a complex process because of the many factors involved. Any process which can ease the preliminary selection of the control type before detailed designs is thus helpful. Volume to capacity (v/c) ratio, level of service, average control delay and queue length are important factors for determining an intersection control type when using the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000. Following the procedure of an earlier research effort which used the 1994 HCM, the 2000 HCM in combination with other tools was used to develop new guidelines for intersection control selection. The guidelines mainly consist of three tables developed by modifying the traffic volume criteria included in the Signal Warrants contained in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). These tables were developed using either the intersection level of service, average intersection control delay or the average intersection queue length as the performance measure to obtain an optimal intersection control type. The results indicated that roundabouts can accommodate a wide range of traffic volume conditions with better performance than other intersection control types. Signals are best used when the traffic volume is very high. Average intersection control delay and average intersection queue length appeared to be good predictors when determining intersection controls knowing the major and minor street volumes.