NCHRP Project 3-70 developed and calibrated a method for evaluating the multimodal level of service (MMLOS) provided by different urban street designs and operations. This MMLOS method is designed for evaluating “complete streets,” context-sensitive design alternatives, and smart growth from the perspective of all users of the street. The analyst can use the MMLOS method to evaluate the tradeoffs of various street designs in terms of their effects on the auto driver’s, transit passenger’s, bicyclist’s, and pedestrian’s perceptions of the quality of service provided by the street. The MMLOS method is described in the user’s guide appendix to this final report (published as NCHRP Web-Only Document 128). It can be implemented in a simple spreadsheet. The MMLOS method estimates the auto, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian level of service on an urban street using a combination of readily available data and data normally gathered by an agency to assess auto and transit level of service. The data requirements of the MMLOS http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_616.pdfmethod include geometric cross-section, signal timing, the posted speed limit, bus headways, traffic volumes, transit patronage, and pedestrian volumes. The NCHRP Project 3-70 MMLOS method also enables agencies to balance the level of service needs of auto drivers, transit riders, bicycle riders, and pedestrians in their street designs by providing agencies with a tool for testing different allocations of scarce street right-of-way to the different modes using the street. (Author/publisher)
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