Highway Capacity Software Laboratory Exercise.

In practice, software tools are used extensively, making signal timing tasks more efficient. As part of
this lab, you will learn to use the Highway Capacity Software 2000 (HCS 2000) for performing some of
the more complex calculations for determining a signal timing plan. In this homework, using this
software will allow you to analyze compound phasing for left turns, which employs a complex series of
calculations that are beyond the current scope of this course.
The basic steps that you will follow are shown in the figure below. Notice that the flow chart is iterative
in nature. The first step is to obtain the initial v/s ratios calculated by HCS 2000 before any phasing is
entered into HCS 2000. Then determine phasing based on combinations of left turn volumes and
conflicting volumes, unbalanced v/s ratios, etc. Then determine the cycle length, and the resulting phase
lengths (G+Y) and enter them into HCS 2000. Finally, after having entered the timing plan you should
compare your initial v/s ratios to those now being output by HCS 2000. If they are the same then no
further modification to the signal timing plan are necessary. If they are different then set (v/s) o = (v/s)HCS
and repeat the steps.
(v/s)o

(v/s)o
= (v/s)HCS

Phasing

No

Timing

HCS 2000

Is
(v/s)HCS
=
(v/s)o
Yes
Done

250

1100

120

The case that you will be analyzing for this homework is shown in the following figure. Notice that
there is one way approach to this intersection so the ring diagram will have an unequal number of phases
in the two rings of the ring diagram. Also notice that all of the pertinent information for capacity
analysis is provided in the figure including the traffic movement volumes and ring diagram.
500
250

PHF
= 0.90
(v/c)des = 0.85
no parking
no buses
12 ft lanes
no grade
2% heavy vehicles

Ring Diagram
600
400

Problem 1
Using permitted phasing for the left turns, assess the adequacy of the signal timing plan using HCS 2000
(note that all turns are permitted, not protected). For your signal timing plans use 28 seconds for the
eb/wb phase, 25 seconds for the nb/sb phase, y = 3.0 seconds, and r = 1 second. Report the cycle length
and the lane group effective green times, delays, and v/c ratios. State the quality of operations that you
would expecte to see at this intersection.
Problem 2
Ring Diagram

Using a protected phase for the westbound left turn movement, determine the best signal timing plan
using HCS 2000 and the steps outlined above (left turns are protected only). Make sure to model the
lost time per phase correctly. For the best signal timing plan, report the cycle length and the lane group
effective green times, delays, and v/c ratios. How do the operations for this signal timing plan differ
from those in Problem 1? Explain.
Problem 3
Given the phasing plan specified in Problem 2 using protecte-permitted phasing for the westbound left
turn, determine the best signal timing plan using HCS 2000 and the steps outlined above (left turns are
protected-permitted). Make sure to model the lost time per phase correctly. For the best signal timing
plan, report the cycle length and the lane group effective green times, delays, and v/c ratios. How do the
operations for this signal timing plan differ from those in Problem 1 and Problem 2? Explain.