1. Planning & Preliminary Applications Guide to the HCM

2. Topics
Overview of the Guide
Implementation efforts
Future needs
Subcommitte role in supporting the Guide

3. “Planning” in an HCM Context
Planning analyses are generally directed toward broad issues
Initial problem identification, long-range analyses, statewide performance monitoring
Preliminary engineering analyses support moderately detailed issues
Planning decisions on roadway design concept and scope, alternatives analyses, and proposed systemwide policies
Before jumping into the presentation, it will be useful to define what planning and preliminary engineering is in an HCM context.
In an HCM context, planning analyses are generally directed toward broad issues that involve analyzing a large number of facilities. The purpose of the analysis may be to identify facilities that have existing or future operational issues and will equire more a detailed analysis. In this case, HCM methods are used to screen out facilities that are unlikely to have problems, allowing analysis resources to be focused on potential problem areas. HCM planning analysis techniques are also applicable to statewide performance monitoring, where the performance of a large number of facilities needs to be summarized.
Preliminary engineering analyses support moderately detailed issues, such as identifying the required number of lanes to provide a given level of service and conducting a more-detailed analysis of a limited set of alternatives. These types of analyses can also investigate the potential effects of proposed systemwide policies such as lane use control for heavy vehicles, systemwide freeway ramp metering and other intelligent transportation system applications, and the use of demand management techniques.
The HCM also defines ”design” and ”operations” levels of analyses that are more detailed and beyond the scope of the Planning & Preliminary Engineering Guide; we’ll cover these briefly later in the presentation.

4. Levels of Planning Analysis
High level
Large analysis area
Low detail
Medium level
Focus on a single roadway facility, segment, or intersection
Greater detail
Low level
Highly focused and highly detailed
Planning and preliminary engineering covers a wide spectrum of possible levels of analysis. At the highest level (visualize a plane flying at high altitude), the area covered by the analysis is large, but the degree of detail or precision for any particular roadway segment is low. This is a typical characteristic of areawide studies and sketch planning and screening studies. Relatively few data inputs (e.g., volume, number of lanes) are used, but the number of roadways to be analyzed can be challenging, and the precision of the results is low. Medium-level analyses, such as typical HCM analyses, using a mix of measured and default values, have smaller study areas but require a greater variety of data inputs, and the analysis results have a correspondingly higher precision. Microsimulation is an example of a low-level analysis that requires a great deal of time and data, but produces the most detailed results. In general, the level of detail produced by microsimulation is unnecessary for a planning analysis, as many of the data inputs (e.g., future volumes) are not known with great accuracy.

5. Relative Detail of HCM-Based Analysis Methods
Measuring a performance measure directly in the field usually (but not always) results in more accurate analysis results than estimating the measure indirectly using an HCM-based method or other analysis tool, but also requires more resources in terms of time and money. When it is impractical to measure performance in the field, the Guide takes the perspective that an HCM analysis using field-measured inputs is most accurate, followed by an HCM analysis using a mix of default values and field-measured inputs, followed by the alternative analysis methods described in the Guide.

6. Target Audience for the Guide
Every technical professional involved in estimating the need for, and benefits of, highway capacity, monitoring, management, and operations investments.
All current HCM users
Planners and travel demand modelers who may not consider themselves HCM users
Many planning models can use pieces of the HCM as inputs to the model, for calculations within the model, and/or for post-processing model outputs
Travel demand, air quality, and noise modeling
University students in transportation engineering and planning programs
Given the broad range of potential planning and preliminary engineering analyses, the target audience for the Guide is equally large. It includes all current HCM users, planners and modelers who may not consider themselves HCM users, as well as university students in transportation engineering and planning programs. Many planning models can use pieces of the HCM as inputs to the model, for calculations within the model, and/or for post-processing model outputs.

7. Part 2: Medium-Level Analysis
Guide Outline
Part 1: Overview
Gateway to the Guide for non-HCM users
Information cross-referenced throughout the Guide
Part 2: Medium-Level Analysis
Gateway to the Guide for current HCM users
Planning tools for HCM system elements
Part 3: High-Level Analysis
Guidance on extending the HCM to corridors, areas, and transportation systems
Part 4: Case Studies
Recognizing the breadth of the Guide’s target audience, the Guide has been structured so that it can been approached in different ways. Importantly, the Guide is designed as a reference work that is not intended to be read cover to cover. Non-HCM users access the Guide via Part 1, while HCM users are referred to appropriate parts of the Guide directly from the HCM 6th Edition. These gateways then refer readers to appropriate sections in Parts 1–4 for more information and examples. In addition to providing an overview of the Guide, Part 1 addresses topics cross-referenced throughout the Guide. Part 2 is divided into sections corresponding to HCM system elements (e.g., freeway facilities or signalized intersections), and also provides sections on multimodal analysis and truck level of service. Part 3 provides guidance on extending the HCM to larger study areas, including corridors, areas, and entire transportation systems. Finally, Part 4 provides three case studies demonstrating many of the methods provided in the Guide. The remainder of this webinar will cover each of these parts in detail.

8. B. Medium-Level (Facility-Specific) Analyses C. High-Level Analyses
Part 1 Outline
A. Introduction
B. Medium-Level (Facility-Specific) Analyses
C. High-Level Analyses
D. Working with Traffic Demand Data
E. Predicting Intersection Traffic Control
F. Default Values
G. Service Volume Tables
To avoid confusion with the HCM’s volume and numbered chapter structure, the Guide is organized by parts and lettered sections. Part 1 contains 7 sections. Section A provides an introduction to the guide. Sections B and C are the gateway to the Guide for planners and modelers. Sections D through G provide reference information used throughout the Guide. Let’s look at what is covered in each of these sections.

9. Example of Guide’s Wayfinding for Planners: System Performance Monitoring Tasks
Part 3 Reference
Part 4 Case Study
Estimate monitoring site capacities and free-flow speeds
Section R4
Case Study 3.1
For volume-only monitoring sites
Estimate speeds
Section R5
Case Study 3.2
For travel time–only monitoring segments
Estimate congestion
Section S3
None
Performance analyses
Auto and truck VMT by level of service
Estimate delay
Case Study 3.3
Estimate queuing
Analyze travel time reliability
Case Study 3.4
Estimate multimodal level of service for transit, bicycles, and pedestrians
Estimate truck level of service
Performance monitoring of the federal-aid highway system is a requirement that was introduced by the MAP-21 federal highway bill. HCM analysis techniques are relevant to the MAP-21 goal areas of Congestion Reduction, System Reliability Improvement, and Freight Movement. The HCM can be used to compute performance measures not directly measured at a monitoring site. It can be used to spot data errors and inconsistencies. The HCM can also be used to impute missing performance data.

10. L. Signalized Intersections M. Stop-Controlled Intersections
Part 2 Outline
H. Freeway Analyses
I. Multilane Highways
J. Two-Lane Highways
K. Urban Streets
L. Signalized Intersections
M. Stop-Controlled Intersections
N. Roundabouts
O. Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Public Transit
P. Truck Level of Service
Part 2 contains 9 sections and is likely to be the first point of entry to the Guide for regular users of the HCM. Each chapter in the HCM 6th Edition presents an analysis methodology cross-references the Part 2 section in the Guide that contains the corresponding planning guidance and methods. Sections H–N each cover one of the main types of HCM roadway system elements from the perspective of motorized vehicle operations. They are structured similarly and we’ll look at them as a group in a moment. Section O provides planning methods for the pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit modes for all of the system elements for which the HCM provides methods. Finally, Section P presents a method for estimating truck level of service that fills a gap in the HCM’s analysis toolbox.

11. Typical Part 2 Section Outline
Overview
Applications
Analysis Methods Overview
Scoping and Screening Method
Section Analysis Applying the HCM with Defaults
Simplified HCM Facility Method
Reliability (freeways, urban streets, signals)
Ped, bike, transit, truck LOS cross-references
Case study cross-reference
Sections H–N have similar outlines, although not every section covers every topic listed above, and some sections cover additional topics. The first three subsections define the system element described in the section, list the potential planning and preliminary engineering applictions that the Guide’s methods can be applied to, and list the analytical methods covered in more detail in the remainder of the section. We’ll look at these methods over the next few slides. The freeway and urban street (and, to a lesser extent, signalized intersection) sections provide methods for estimating a variety of travel time reliability measures. The sections conclude with cross-references to the multimodal level of service methods provided in Sections O and P, and to applicable case studies in Part 4.

12. Q. Corridor Quick Estimation Screenline Analysis R. Areas and Systems
Part 3 Outline
Q. Corridor Quick Estimation Screenline Analysis
R. Areas and Systems
S. Roadway System Monitoring
Part 3 contains 3 sections that extend HCM methods to the analysis of corridors, areas, and systems.

13. T. Case Study 1: Freeway Master Plan
Part 4 Outline
T. Case Study 1: Freeway Master Plan
U. Case Study 2: Arterial Bus Rapid Transit Analysis
V. Case Study 3: Long-Range Transportation Plan Analysis
Part 4 contains 3 case studies that illustrate the application of many of the methods presented in Parts 2 and 3 of the Guide. The case studies cover the analysis of a 70-mile section of freeway, a proposed new bus rapid transit route (with exclusive bus lanes) along a series of urban streets, and the application of HCM methods to a long-range transportation plan.

14. Summary
The Guide provides a resource for both HCM users and planning professionals to:
Conduct quick back-of-the-envelope evaluations where neither a full HCM analysis nor simulation is necessary
Maintain consistency with the HCM throughout the project development process
Incorporate HCM methods into planning tools
Develop inputs used by planning models
Improve the accuracy and consistency of computations performed by planning models
Post-process model outputs to generate additional performance measures
To wrap up, the Guide is a resource for both transportation engineers and transportation planners, including those who may not consider themselves to be HCM users. It provides methods for conducting quick back-of-the-envelope evaluations for analyses that do not require the level of precision provided by a full HCM operations analysis or by simulation. Because these methods are based on full HCM methods, the methods’ results will be consistent with those obtained from full HCM operations analyses performed later in the project development process, to the extent that the same assumptions are used. The Guide also provides guidance on incorporating HCM methods into planning tools, including developing input values used by planning models, improving the accuracy and consistency of computations performed by planning models, and post-processing model outputs to develop additional performance measures.

15. The Guide can be downloaded from HCM Volume 4
Obtaining the Guide
The Guide can be downloaded from HCM Volume 4
Free, one-time registration required
Or download from TRB’s site (search for NCHRP Report 825)
HCM Volume 4 also provides
Computational engines
Errata
New material
Estimating FHWA’s Level of Travel Time Reliability
Future new case studies
Coming in 2017: Outreach and training material
The Guide can be downloaded from the Applications Guides section of online HCM Volume 4, which is free to access by all, including those who don’t have a personal copy of the HCM. A free, one-time registration is required. In addition to providing access to the Guide itself, the same web page currently provides five spreadsheet-based computational engines that help implement some of the Guide’s methods. In addition, additional outreach and training materials supporting the Guide are currently in development and will be posted on Volume 4 as they completed during Printed copies of the guide (NCHRP Report 825) can be ordered from the Transportation Research Board.

16. Current Computational Engines
Freeways
Urban streets
Signalized intersections
Roundabouts
Two-way stop-controlled intersections
The Guide can be downloaded from the Applications Guides section of online HCM Volume 4, which is free to access by all, including those who don’t have a personal copy of the HCM. A free, one-time registration is required. In addition to providing access to the Guide itself, the same web page currently provides five spreadsheet-based computational engines that help implement some of the Guide’s methods. In addition, additional outreach and training materials supporting the Guide are currently in development and will be posted on Volume 4 as they completed during Printed copies of the guide (NCHRP Report 825) can be ordered from the Transportation Research Board.

17. Project scheduled to be completed in October 2017
Implementation
Extension to NCHRP underway to develop outreach and training materials
Informational video
Webinar
Workshop modules
Project scheduled to be completed in October 2017
Individual items will be completed sooner

18. Approximately 3 minutes in length Whiteboard style
Promotional Video
Approximately 3 minutes in length
Whiteboard style
Generate awareness of the Guide
Negligible train-the-trainer & audience commitment
Can be used in a variety of settings
Meetings
Conference presentations
Viewed over the Internet

19. Promotional Video: Key Concepts
Guide offers simple methodologies that analysts can use without software
Guide is more readable/approachable than the HCM
Guide offers quick, defensible decision support that would take weeks using a simulation analysis
Guide brings back the “gut feel” analysis that many analysts have lost in an overly software-dependent environment

20. TRB Webinar
60 minutes presentation, 30 minutes Q&A
Presented live once and recorded for later viewing
Generates awareness of the Guide and knowledge of what’s in it and how it can be used
Tom Creasey has requested a webinar slot on behalf of the HCQS Committee
Builds off of HCM webinar from November 2016

21. Developing 6 modules with a total of 10 hours of content
Hands-on Workshops
Developing 6 modules with a total of 10 hours of content
Modules can be mixed and matched depending on training needs
Planning focus
Preliminary engineering focus
State DOT focus
Local and regional focus
Comprehensive 2-day workshop
Each module to be tested this spring

22. Workshop Modules
Introduction to the Guide (1 hour)
Identifying Hot Spots in a Freeway System (2 hours)
Applying the HCM to the Regional Modeling Process (2 hours)
Urban Street Analysis: Bus Rapid Transit Implementation (2 hours)
Roadway System Monitoring (2 hours)
Review, Dicussion, and Closure (1 hour)

23. Future Needs: Case Studies
By HCM system element
Freeway managed lanes
Multilane highways
Two-lane highways
Unsignalized intersections
By planning application
Truck LOS, truck operations
Freeway/arterial corridor planning
Reliability hot spot identification
Areawide/system multimodal quality of service

24. Future Needs: Planning Computational Engines
Multilane highways
Two-lane highways
All-way stop-controlled intersections
Urban street multimodal LOS
Truck LOS

25. Discussion: Subcommittee Role in Supporting the Guide