Intersection capacity utilization is a straightforward traffic engineering metric that compares the current or projected traffic volume at an intersection to its maximum capacity. It is expressed as a percentage, calculating the sum of the critical volume-to-capacity ratios for conflicting movements. Engineers use ICU to determine if a signalized intersection needs physical expansion or better signal timing.
Heard on the job
The afternoon peak pushes the ICU to 92 percent, so we need to look at adding a dedicated left turn lane.
Also heard as
- intersection capacity utilization