LOS VDOT (I-81) South Redding
A Free-flow (FF) operation Traffic flows freely with
little or no restrictions on
speed or maneuverability.
No Delays
B Reasonably free-flow Traffic is stable and flows
Ability to manoeuvre is freely The ability to
only slightly restricted maneuver in traffic is only
Effects of minor incidents slightly restricted.
still easily absorbed No Delays
C Speeds at or near FF Few restrictions on speed.
Freedom to maneuver is Freedom to maneuver is
noticeably restricted restricted. Drivers must be
Queues may form more careful making lane
changes.
Minimal Delays
D Speeds decline slightly Speeds decline slightly
with increasing flows and density increases.
Density increases more Freedom to maneuver is
quickly noticeably limited.
Freedom to maneuver is Minimal Delays
more noticeable limited
Minor incidents create
queuing
E Operation near or at Vehicles are closely
capacity spaced, with little room to
No usable gaps in the maeuver. Driver comfort is
traffic stream poor.
Free-flow traffic with
individual users virtually
unaffected by the
presence of others in
the traffic stream
Stable traffic flow with a
high degree of freedom
to select speed and
operating conditions but
with some influence
from other users
Restricted flow that
remains stable but with
significant interactions
with others in the traffic
stream. The general
level of comfort and
convenience declines
noticeably at this level
High-density flow in
which speed and
freedom to manoeuvre
are severely restricted
and comfort and
convenience have
declined even though
flow remains stable
Unstable flow at or near
capacity levels with poor
levels of comfort and
convenience
 Operations extremely Significant Delays
volatile
Any disruption causes
queuing
F Breakdown in flow Very congested traffic with Forced traffic flow in
Queues form behind traffic jams, especially in which the amount of
breakdown points areas where vehicles have traffic approaching a
Demand is greater than to merge. point exceeds the
capacity Significant Delays amount that can be
served. LOS F is
characterized by stop-
and-go waves, poor
travel times, low comfort
and convenience, and
increased accident
exposure

A Highest quality of service. Traffic flows freely with little or no restrictions on speed or maneuverability.
No Delays
Level of
Service Flow Conditions Technical Description
B Traffic is stable and flows freely The ability to maneuver in traffic is only slightly restricted.
No Delays
C Few restrictions on speed. Freedom to maneuver is restricted. Drivers must be more careful making lane changes.
Minimal Delays
D Speeds decline slightly and density increases. Freedom to maneuver is noticeably limited.
Minimal Delays
E Vehicles are closely spaced, with little room to maeuver. Driver comfort is poor.
Significant Delays
F Very congested traffic with traffic jams, especially in areas where vehicles have to merge.
Significant Delays