LEVEL OF SERVICE
Level of service (LOS) is a qualitative measure used to relate the quality of traffic service. LOS is used to
analyze highways by categorizing traffic flow and assigning quality levels of traffic based on performance
measure like speed, density, delay etc
Classification is also possible basing on intersections. such as:
a) Signalized
b) Unsignalized
Most important classification of transportation facilities from the engineering perspective is based on the
continuity of flow, that is
a) uninterrupted flow
b) interrupted flow
The parameter which is used to measure LOS is:
a) Density
b) Delay
c) Speed
CLASSIFICATION OF LEVEL OF SERVICE
LOS A:
▪ Traffic flows or above the posted speed
▪ complete mobility between lanes.
▪ Average spacing between vehicles is about 550 ft(167 m) or 27 car lengths.
▪ Motorists have a high-level of physical and psychological comfort.
▪ generally occurs late at night in urban areas and frequently in rural areas.
❖LOS B:
▪ reasonably free flow.
▪ traffic stream is slightly restricted than LOS A.
▪ The lowest average vehicle spacing is about 330 ft(100 m) or 16 car lengths.
▪ Motorists still have a high level of physical and psychological comfort.
❖ LOS C:
▪ stable flow, at or near free flow.
▪ Lane changes require more driver awareness.
▪ Minimum vehicle spacing is about 220 ft(67 m) or 11 car lengths.
▪ Most experienced drivers are comfortable
▪ Posted speed is maintained.
▪ This is the target LOS for some urban and most rural highways.
❖ LOS D:
▪ approaching unstable flow.
▪ Freedom to maneuver within the traffic stream is much more limited
▪ driver comfort levels decrease. Vehicles are spaced about 160 ft(50m) or 8 car lengths.
▪ Minor incidents i.e. a busy shopping corridor in the middle of a weekday, or a functional urban
highway during commuting hours.
▪ It is a common goal for urban streets during peak hours.
▪ attaining LOS C would require prohibitive cost and societal impact in bypass roads and lane
additions.
❖ LOS E:
▪ Unstable flow, operating at capacity.
▪ Flow becomes irregular and speed varies rapidly
▪ Speeds rarely reach the posted limit.
▪ Vehicle spacing is about 6 car lengths, but speeds are still at or above 50 mi/h(80 km/h).
▪ Any incident will create serious delays.
▪ Drivers' level of comfort become poor.
▪ This is a common standard in larger urban areas, where some roadway congestion is inevitable.
❖ LOS F:
▪ Forced or breakdown flow. Every vehicle moves in lockstep with the vehicle in front of it.
▪ Travel time cannot be predicted.
▪ A road in a constant traffic jam is at this los, because los is an average or typical service rather
than a constant state.
▪ For example, a highway might be at los d for the am peak hour.
Factors Affecting Capacity and Level of Service:
1. Roadway Factors
i. Laneway Width
ii. Lateral Clearance
iii. Shoulders
iv. Surface Condition
v. Alignment
vi. Grades
2. Traffic Factors
3. Speed and Travel Time
4. Freedom to Travel with Desired Speed
5. Driving Comfort and Convenience
6. Operating Cost
