Advocacy & Safety - BLOS/PLOS Calculator.

Unfortunatly it does not take into consideration intersections but it is still a good tool to use when determining what needs to be done to make a roadway a Complete Street or just an improvement of some sort compared to what is already there.

The grading is from A to E, I think. As far as I'm concerned anything A or B probably does not need to be changed, a C may just need minor changes & anything below a C is bad & should be changed very soon.

I am going to use this when coming up with ideas on how to make the roadways in my community Complete Streets.

Check it out: http://www.bikelib.org/roads/blos/losform.htm

Fascinating.

my most direct route to work gets an "F".

my most direct route to work gets an "F".

That's ok, the country road I ride gets an F also.

It's interesting to play with, but not all that helpful in many circumstances. For example, a narrow outside lane is counted as a big minus, when actually, it is a big plus in many circumstances. Narrow residential streets (which slow traffic) are counted as worse than wide residential streets (which encourage speeding).

It should consider % of roadway taken by driveways/commercial exits etc. A narrow outside lane with parked cars adjacent, is a nice place for cyclists, as you can ride outside the door zone and cars wont try to share the lane with you. I havent a clue on what numbers to enter for traffic volume and % of heavy vehicles.

It should consider % of roadway taken by driveways/commercial exits etc. A narrow outside lane with parked cars adjacent, is a nice place for cyclists, as you can ride outside the door zone and cars wont try to share the lane with you. I havent a clue on what numbers to enter for traffic volume and % of heavy vehicles.

For what to enter for ADT count & % of heavy vehicles you'll have to ask your MPO, state DOT, police dept. or city or county govt. Dependig on what governing body is responsible for the roadway or has the information.

There is a lot the calculator does not take into consideration, like intersections, etc. One is being worked on that will take a lot more into consideration, like intersections, driveways, etc.

The biggest benefit to using this is provided accurate figures are entered into it it eliminates personal opinion, emotion or experience. If you enter the correct & accurate figures it gives you cold hard facts based on a mathematical equation.

It is meant to be nothing more then a helpful & useful tool when doing roadway planning or re-planning & what to provide for possible bicycle & pedestrian facilities.

It's interesting to play with, but not all that helpful in many circumstances. For example, a narrow outside lane is counted as a big minus, when actually, it is a big plus in many circumstances. Narrow residential streets (which slow traffic) are counted as worse than wide residential streets (which encourage speeding).

This is your personal opinion & emotion. While that is fine, this calculator does not, can not, will not & should not take personal opinion or emotion into consideration.

My route gets an "D". No shoulders, moderate-to-heavy traffic in the afternoon on about 75% of the route. Or I can drive or take a bus. Of course, the bus stop is about a mile from my house, and the actual bus ride takes 20-30 minutes to go 5 miles.

this calculator does not, can not, will not & should not take personal opinion or emotion into consideration.

What does it take into consideration?

What does it take into consideration?

The figures you enter into it. The lane width, ADT count, mph, is there a paved shoulder, BL or parking lane, percentage of heavy vehicles, FHWA condition pavement rating, percentage of sidwalks, sidewalk width, etc.

As long as the figures that are entered are accurate you will get an accurate grade for the level of service for that particular roadway. Of course if you lie to it & enter figures you that you personally think are accurate because you would like them to be you will get a false grade. To get the accurate figures to enter contact the governing agencies that I mentioned in a previous response.

The figures you enter into it. The lane width, ADT count, mph, is there a paved shoulder, BL or parking lane, percentage of heavy vehicles, FHWA condition pavement rating, percentage of sidwalks, sidewalk width, etc.

As long as the figures that are entered are accurate you will get an accurate grade for the level of service for that particular roadway. Of course if you lie to it & enter figures you that you personally think are accurate because you would like them to be you will get a false grade. To get the accurate figures to enter contact the governing agencies that I mentioned in a previous response.


And the grade is based on what? Simply producing a rating without meaning is useless. An "A" or an "F" have no impact without a frame of reference.

And the grade is based on what? Simply producing a rating without meaning is useless. An "A" or an "F" have no impact without a frame of reference.
Enter the figures for actual roads that are good and bad to ride on (getting numbers for traffic density and speed from the agency responsible for the roads). See what grades the program gives, and you will then have suitable points of reference.

Enter the figures for actual roads that are good and bad to ride on (getting numbers for traffic density and speed from the agency responsible for the roads). See what grades the program gives, and you will then have suitable points of reference.

Thanks, I would have never thought of that.