Differences between HCM procedures and fundamental diagram calibration for operational los assessment on Italian freeways

A not clear national framework and the uncertainty as to the transferability of the U.S. HCM require an assessment of standard methodologies more calibrated on Italian freeways. The study is aimed at testing the Levels of Service assessment for a sample freeway segment on the basis of a calibrated Fundamental Diagram, and at evaluating its consistency with respect to the most recent methodologies from HCM2010. The research shows a test calibration of the Fundamental Diagram according to the Longitudinal Control Model and Van Aerde Model. The comparative analysis shows how standard procedures and ranges could underestimate operational congestion levels on the test section. Therefore, the results suggest that operators should to use carefully HCM standard procedures and that transferability issues should be further analyzed.