A key input in the critical movement analysis (CMA) methodology for intersection capacity estimation is the passenger car equivalent (PCE) of heavy vehicles. Despite the increasing use of CMA, little research has been performed to estimate PCEs as a function of vehicle type and traffic volume. This research develops and tests a procedure using a macroscopic traffic simulation model on an urban network to derive passenger car equivalent estimates for large vehicles as a function of vehicle size, signal timing, and traffic volumes. Results for urban arterials are presented for each of seven visual vehicle classification types, six different levels of service, and three types of signal settings. The results indicate that the estimates of PCEs increase as the traffic volume approaches forced flow conditions, vehicles get larger, and as the signal system approaches optimum. It is also shown that these values are generally lower than those used in the Highway Capacity Manual, the Interim Materials on Highway Capacity, or in Webster's traffic delay equations.

Comprehensive evaluations of traffic controls for three highway construction projects are conducted. These evaluations consist of reviews of the traffic control plans, field checks of the implemented traffic controls, and observation of actual motorist behavior in response to the work area traffic controls. The project sites include suburban interstate, urban arterial, and rural highway locations. Field data were collected to develop spot speed characteristics, traffic flow rates, overall and average running speeds, and acceleration noise and mean velocity gradient profiles. Based on these evaluations, guidelines are developed to assist in the design and operation of more effective work area traffic control.

A macroscopic Traffic Simulation and Optimization (TSAO) model has been developed for regional highway networks. It was applied to the Maryland Eastern Shore network, where heavy recreational traffic creates severe congestion and long queues at bottlenecks on summer weekends. Fourteen alternatives for improvement, including capacity expansion projects and route diversion, were analyzed. Results show the cost‐effectiveness of route diversion as a substitute for new construction on intercity networks where high demand peaks are infrequent. The applicability of the TSAO model to large networks with complex demand patterns and insufficient capacity is also demonstrated.

Corrosion and incrustation in carbon steel raw water pipes have been problems at many of TVA's fossil and nuclear power plants. Lining existing carbon steel raw water pipes with cement mortar conforming to AWWA C602 requirements is one way to correct these problems. It is possible to measure the thickness of the cement-mortar lining by drilling a small hole through the lining and after measurement is made, the hole can be filled with cement mortar. A better way is to use an eddy-current thickness gage. The thickness measured is a function of the impedance of the probe-pipe system. Each thickness measurement takes only a few seconds and the results are very accurate and stable.