Local Road Management Manual 88 4.2.2 Local Road Traffic Capacity The traffic capacity of a road can be defined as the maximum number of vehicles within an hour that can pass through a given section under prevailing road and traffic conditions. Traffic volume above this capacity will mean that the road is congested forcing vehicles to slow down. In such instances, the road may then be improved by either improving the pavement to a higher quality (i.e. unpaved to paved); or by improving the geometric conditions of the road (i.e. widening the road). The ratio between the hourly design traffic volume and the Basic Hourly Capacity in Car units (BHCC) is called the Volume Capacity Ratio (VCR). It is a measure that indicates the Level of Service (LOS) that a road can provide. Table 3.8 provides the defined VCR for a given LOS and the corresponding traffic condition as adopted from the DPWH Highway Planning Manual. The traffic volume at LOS E means that the traffic volume is roughly equal to the actual Table 3.8 Level of Service of Roads LOS Volume- Traffic Condition Average Speed Capacity (V/C) (kph) Ratio A 0.00 – 0.20 Free flowing traffic 95-110 B 0.21 – 0.50 Relatively free flowing 80—95 traffic C 0.51 – 0.70 Moderate Traffic 64—80 D 0.71 – 0.85 Moderate/Heavy traffic 56—64 E 0.71 – 0.85 Heavy traffic 45—56 F > 1.00 Saturation traffic 0—45 volumes; stop and go