Abstract:
The quality of service on three arterial segments in a city with a population of 40,000 (not a part of a larger metropolitan area) was compared. Each segment's quality of service was measured by travel time runs and the accident frequency over a three year period. Each segment was four-lane with a non-traversable median. Terrain was similar on all three, except that Segment C included one overcrossing of a railroad. Commercial developments bordered all three segments. Segment A was bordered by an older style of development, with a plethora of individual tracts abutting the roadway, and had many driveway and street intersections. Segment B had some individual tracts and a few large ones, and for the most part included at-grade frontage roads on both sides. Segment C was bordered by large tracts with shared/combined access points. Although Segment C exhibited greater speeds and lower travel times, it had a much lower accident rate than Segment A. Segment B had the lowest travel times, but an accident rate similar to that of Segment A.
