LOS+ is a multi-modal level of service roadway analysis tool that was developed by Fehr & Peers. LOS+ is capable of analyzing auto, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit level of service for urban streets. LOS+ was developed as a quick-response and lower-cost alternative to other multi-modal analysis software.
Click below to download the LOS+ roadway analysis tool for FREE or for a list of the data needed to use LOS+.
Background and Approach
LOS+ is a hybrid tool that implements two different multi-modal level of service (MMLOS) methodologies. The automobile LOS component of the analysis tool is consistent with the NCHRP Project 3-70 methodology and the pedestrian, bicycle, and transit LOS components are consistent with the methodologies incorporated in the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (HCM2010). The analysis tool was developed as a link-based evaluation tool, which only analyzes the MMLOS along the roadway segment and not the intersection. This hybrid approach is less data-intensive than the full HCM2010 methodology and produces results that generally reflect pedestrian, bicyclist, and transit rider perceptions of service along the roadway.
NCHRP Project 3-70 provided the basis for the MMLOS methodology adopted in the HCM2010. However, there are some significant differences between the NCHRP and HCM methodologies. The auto LOS methodology in the HCM is more robust, but requires more input data and is computationally intensive. The HCM2010 methods for pedestrian, bicycle and transit LOS are very similar to that of NCHRP Project 3-70, the main difference is that the HCM2010 algorithms are more computationally intensive and give greater attention to MMLOS operations at the intersection level. LOS+ was developed as a hybrid methodology tool; an approach which minimizes the data inputs needed while providing results that are consistent with the HCM2010 for active transportation modes.
Intended Use
LOS+ was developed to be a quick-response/sketch-planning tool that provides guidance in designing urban streets to better accommodate the four major travel modes. The analysis tool can determine impacts that specific roadway improvements have on each mode. LOS+ is an appropriate tool for general planning projects such as specific plans, road diet studies, and corridor planning studies.
LOS+ is not intended to be used as a complete traffic operations analysis model because operations at the intersection level are not incorporated. Thus, LOS+ should NOT be used to perform transportation impact analyses for specific development projects. The methodology is not effective in determining improvements that would mitigate MMLOS impacts at the intersection level.
Comparison between LOS+ and other MMLOS software
CompleteStreetsLOS
- Developed by Kittleson & Associates, Inc.
- Computational engine coding is closed-source
- Initial license cost = $1,850
- Analyzes MMLOS along roadway segments, at intersections, and combines results to determine overall facility LOS for each mode
- Developed consistent with HCM2010 methods
- Currently available for purchase
HCS 2010 Streets
- Developed by McTrans
- Computational engine coding is closed source
- Initial license cost = $2,000.00 for entire HCS 2010 package, including the Streets module
- Analyzes MMLOS along roadway segments, at intersections, and combines results to determine overall facility LOS for each mode
- Developed consistent with HCM2010 methods
- Software release expected in February/March 2012
LOS+
- Developed by Fehr & Peers
- Coding is open-source – analysts can verify consistency with NCHRP Project 3-70 and HCM2010 methods
- Available for download FREE on this website
- Hybrid methodology approach - auto LOS method consistent with NCHRP Project 3-70; pedestrian, bicycle and transit LOS methods are consistent with HCM2010
- Analyzes MMLOS along roadway segments (intersection and overall facility LOS not provided)
- Compared to CompleteStreetsLOS and HCS 2010 Streets, LOS+ is
-less data-intensive,
-less expensive to own (free), and
-produces results that are generally reflect auto, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit
user perceptions of service along the roadway.
Contact Info
For more information about LOS+, please email Francisco Martin.
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