Passenger car equivalents (PCEs) have been used extensively in the Highway Capacity Manual to establish the impact of trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles on traffic operations. PCEs are currently being used for studying freeways, multilane highways, and two-lane highways. A heavy-vehicle factor is directly given for the impact of heavy vehicles at signalized intersections (and indirectly along arterials). These PCE values are typically based on a limited number of simulations and on older simulation models. In addition, the impact of variables such as traffic flow, truck percentage, truck type (i.e., length and weight/horsepower ratio), grade, and length of grade on PCEs has not been evaluated in depth for all facility types. The methodology for developing PCEs for different truck types for the full range of traffic conditions on freeways, two-lane highways, and arterials is described. Given the scope of this research and the variability of traffic conditions to be examined, simulation was selected as the most appropriate tool. The resulting PCE values for freeways, two-lane highways, and arterials indicated that some variables, such as percentage of trucks, do not always have the expected effect on PCEs, whereas other variables, such as vehicle type, are crucial in the calculations. Generally, major differences in PCEs occurred for the longer and steeper grades. There was great variability in PCE values as a function of the weight/horsepower ratio as well as of vehicle length.


    Access

    Download

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Development of Passenger Car Equivalents for Freeways, Two-Lane Highways, and Arterials


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1997-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Development of Passenger Car Equivalents for Freeways, Two-Lane Highways, and Arterials

    Elefteriadou, L. / Torbic, D. / Webster, N. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997


    Passenger Car Equivalents on Urban Freeways

    E. L. Seguin / K. W. Crowley / W. D. Zweig | NTIS | 1982


    Determining Passenger Car Equivalents for Freeways

    Sorensen, H. / Transportation Research Board / Denmark | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998