Attachment 5.

1 Traffic Analysis Tool Selection

Need for Traffic

Operations/Capacity
Analysis Established

See Sheet  Uninterrupted Flow Interrupted See Sheet 

2 Flow Type? Flow 3

NOTES:
1.  If the project consists of both uninterrupted and interrupted flow facilities, follow the path for each type of flow independently.
     Utilize the tool that will best address both flow regimes and will result in the most efficient use of resources. 
     This may require the use of the most comprehensive tool (Vissim) or it may require the use of multiple traffic analysis tools.

2.  Use this flowchart as a guide only. The final determination of the most appropriate traffic analysis tool depends on the specific details, 
      needs, and goals of the project. Professional judgment and coordination with WisDOT regional traffic staff need to factor into the selection
      of the most cost effective and efficient traffic analysis tool. 

Last Updated: 06/27/2019 Sheet 1 of 3
 Attachment 5.1 Traffic Analysis Tool Selection

Need for Traffic

Operations/Capacity
Analysis Established

Does the highway fit

within the confines of Two-Lane Facility Uninterrupted Flow Interrupted See Sheet 
HCS Yes
the HCM Highway Type? Flow Type? Flow 3
methodology?

Vissim No

Freeway or
Multilane
Highway

HCS Simple
LEGEND

What components
(a) Basic segment includes those segments with HOV/managed lanes
Merge/Diverge or
HCS or Vissim Intermediate Level of need to be
Weaving
complexity? addressed?
Segment (b) Conduct multi‐period analysis

Vissim Complex (c) Conduct facility‐level analysis

Corridor or (d) Conduct multi‐period, facility‐level analysis
System

HCS Under Capacity NOTES:

Use this flowchart as a guide only. The final determination of the most 
At or Above Level of Basic Segment appropriate traffic analysis tool depends on the specific details, needs, and goals 
HCS (b) or Vissim
Capacity congestion? (a)
of the project. Professional judgment and coordination with WisDOT regional 
traffic staff need to factor into the selection of the most cost effective and 
efficient traffic analysis tool. 

Level of
HCS (c) or Vissim Under Capacity
congestion?

At or Above
HCS (d) or Vissim No
Capacity

Is there a need to
consider multiple
Vissim
Yes routes, diversion,
Consider DTA
or temporal
distribution?

Last Updated: 06/27/2019 Sheet 2 of 3
  Attachment 5.1 Traffic Analysis Tool Selection

Need for Traffic

Operations/Capacity
Analysis Established

Does the intersection

See Sheet  Uninterrupted Flow Interrupted Facility Unsignalized fit within the confines HCS, Synchro,
Yes
2 Flow Type? Flow Type? Intersections of the HCM or Vistro
methodology?

Synchro (e) or
No
Vissim

LEGEND Are there 3 entry lanes,

dual partial right turn
Roundabouts Yes Sidra
bypass lanes, or 5+
approaches?
(e)  Use of Synchro for intersections that do not meet the confines of
       the HCM‐methodology may be possible but will likely require
       modifying the geometry or other parameters to "work‐around" No HCS or Sidra
       the limitations of the HCM methodology. Confirm with WisDOT
       regional traffic staff that the use of Synchro is acceptable under
       these scenarios.
No Vissim

(f)   If lane utilization is critical (e.g., closely spaced intersections
       where more than 50% of the exiting traffic from the intersection Is the HCM methodology
Alternative
       will make a turn movement (left or right) from a single lane at the applicable (RCUT/J- Level of At or Above
Intersections or Yes Vissim
Turn, MUT, DLT, DDI, congestion? Capacity
       downstream intersection), utilize SimTraffic or Vissim to verify Ramp Terminals
SPI)?
       there are no queuing or other operational concerns not 
       addressed by the HCM‐methodology within Synchro or Vistro.
Under Capacity HCS
       Do not utilize HCS in these situations. Mixed Corridor

Signalized HCS, Synchro,

Isolated? Yes
Intersections or Vistro

NOTES: Level of At or Above

Is there a need for
Level of HCS, Synchro,
signal timing/ Yes No Under Capacity
congestion? Capacity congestion? or Vistro (f)
optimization?
1.  Use this flowchart as a guide only. The final determination of the
     most appropriate traffic analysis tool depends on the specific
     details, needs, and goals of the project. Professional judgment At or Above
Under Capacity No Capacity
     and coordination with WisDOT regional traffic staff need to
     factor into the selection of the most cost effective and efficient
     traffic analysis tool. Is there a need to Is there a need to
Is there a need for consider multiple consider multiple Is there a need for
SimTraffic or
signal timing/ routes, diversion, routes, diversion, signal timing/ No
Vissim
2.  If the project does not justify the use microsimulation analyses, optimization? or temporal or temporal optimization?
distribution? distribution?
     but there is a need or desire for visualization or simulation of the
     traffic operations, the analyst may utilize the SimTraffic
     component of Synchro or the built‐in Vissim module of Vistro.  Yes No Yes No Yes No Synchro with
Yes SimTraffic or Vistro
with Vissim

Synchro with
Vistro with Vissim
SimTraffic or Vistro SimTraffic or Vissim Vistro with
Vissim Consider DTA
with Vissim Vissim Consider DTA Vissim

Last Updated: 06/27/2019 Sheet 3 of 3