Validating HCS and SIDRA Software for Estimating Delay at Signalized Intersections in Jordan

The main objective of this research was to validate the Highway Capacity Software (HCS) and the Signalized and Unsignalized Intersection Design and Research Aid (SIDRA) Software which are widely used for estimating delay at signalized intersections in Jordan. Fifty four hours of data from eighteen legs at five signalized intersections were collected from Irbid city; the second largest city in Jordan. Traffic volumes and control delay were measured during peak and off-peak periods using video cameras. Data on geometric design elements, signal timings and phasings and vehicular speeds were measured through a field survey. The results of the analysis indicated that both models can be improved significantly by calibrating the basic saturation flow rate or bus PCE factor. However, the best improvement was obtained by calibrating both the basic saturation flow rate and the bus PCE factor simultaneously. It was also found that the two software are good predictors for control delay at signalized intersections in Jordan after calibration. However, SIDRA was found to be better than HCS 2000.