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New Version

New in HCS 2025

Explore the new features and improvements in the latest version release.

Freeways

New methods – Freeway Segments (HCM 7.1)

The Freeways module now includes updated methodologies for analyzing merge, diverge, and weaving segments, based on the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 7.1, NCHRP 07-26. These new methods introduce a completely fresh approach to evaluating operations within these configurations. One of the major changes in the NCHRP report is the reduction of capacity density to 35 pc/mi/ln. With the latest version of HCS 2025, users can choose between the HCM 7 or HCM 7.1 methodologies for their analyses.

Expanded Lane Add/Drop Configurations

HCS 2025 is now able to account for nearly all freeway configurations, including the analysis of lane add/drops for two-lane ramps.

Improved Work Zone Analysis

Work Zone Analysis is now available across all freeway modules, including Merge, Diverge, Weaving, and Facilities. This feature implements HCM methods for work zone scenarios, such as shoulder closures, single-lane closures, and two-lane closures, assisting users in decision-making for this complex issue.

In addition to specifying the type of work zone, users can define area characteristics—such as urban or rural settings, time of day (day or night), barrier type, speed, and other variables—allowing for a tailored analysis based on specific conditions.

MUTCD Warrants

MUTCD and HCS 2025 Warrants

Implementation of 11th Edition of MUTCD

The MUTCD Warrants module streamlines the process of identifying the need for traffic control and is updated according to the new MUTCD 11th Edition (2023). Major changes in the methods include modeling pedestrian refuges more accurately and new criteria for crash history. This new module enables users to quickly determine if an intersection meets one or more criteria for traffic signal installation.

Pedestrian Volume (Warrant 4)

MUTCD and HCS 2025 Warrants

Traffic criteria can now be applied separately to each direction of vehicular traffic when the street is divided by a median that provides a pedestrian refuge. Users can select the specific approaches with pedestrian medians (see figure below), and the software will adjust the analysis accordingly. Additionally, a new checkbox allows the analysis of crossing locations where the 15th percentile of pedestrian speeds is below the threshold of 3.5 ft/s.

Crash Experience (Warrant 7)

The updated Warrant now requires, as user inputs, the number of Total Crashes and Fatal-and-Injury Crashes over 1-year and 3-year periods, providing a more comprehensive safety assessment. Additionally, the new inputs are specific to crash types that are most susceptible to correction by installing a traffic signal (angle and pedestrian).​

Updated Final Report

Example report. Click image above for a detailed view

As output, the software generates a final report that provides an overview of the intersection’s characteristics and indicates which warrants are met. The formatted report simplifies the review process, making it easier for professionals to assess the need for a traffic signal, review and submit the traffic study. The Figure above shows an example of the checklist provided by the software. ​​

Highways

Two-Lane Highway Facility Formatted Report

A newly formatted report for Two-Lane Highway Facilities has been added to HCS 2025. This report offers a comprehensive overview of operations across the designed facility, allowing reviewers to quickly access Facility Data such as demand and geometry for each segment. It also includes performance measures such as % Followers, Follower Density, and Level of Service (LOS) for individual segments, as well as overall facility metrics like VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled), VHD (Vehicle Hours Traveled), Follower Density, Travel Time, and LOS for the entire facility.

Segment-specific formatted reports are also available on the Report page, allowing users to review detailed operations for each individual segment.

Example report. Click image above for a detailed view

7th Edition of of Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)

Compliance to the 7th Edition of HCM

HCS incorporates methodologies from the 7th Edition of HCM (2022) updates, including:

Can assess the impact of CAVs on signalized intersections, roundabouts and freeways for planning-level applications (e.g., 25 years planning period)

Enhanced pedestrian analysis at two-way stop-controlled intersections and crossings.

New method with wide application for analysis of two-lane highways

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Highway Capacity Software

  • Adds Legacy HCS7 modules (HCM 6th Edition)
  • Adds Legacy HCS2010 Streets module (HCM 2010)
  • Adds Legacy HCS+ Arterials, Interchanges, and Signals modules (HCM 2000)
HCS Streets Logo

Streets

  • Updates images of interchanges reports
  • Widens some input ranges
  • Fixes incorrect warning messages for RCUT volumes
  • Fixes mislabeled units for Access Point Location
HCS Streets Logo

Streets (cont.)

  • Fixes infinity value incorrectly appearing on DDI interchanges report
  • Adds intersection names to Signals Multi-Period text report
  • Enables automatic calculation by default
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TWSC

  • Widens some input ranges
  • Fixes negative probability queue-free state
  • Fixes display of queue-related results
  • Fixes RCUT warning messages
  • Includes other minor bug fixes and improvements
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Roundabouts

  • Widens some input ranges
  • Includes other minor bug fixes and improvements

MUTCD Warrants

  • Adds 11th Edition MUTCD method for Signal Warrants
  • Fixes issue opening files in incorrect units
  • Updates Warrants logo
  • Includes other minor bug fixes and improvements
HCS Freeways Logo

Freeways

  • Adds HCM 7.1 (NCHRP 07-26) method for single segment merge, diverge, and weaving analyses
  • Adds single segment examples for HCM 7.1 (NCHRP 07-26) method
  • Adds work zone analysis for merge, diverge, and weaving segments
  • Adds non-work zone speed limit input
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Freeways (cont.)

  • Allows modeling lane add/drop for two-lane ramps
  • Adds I-4 (Florida) sample data to segmentation database
  • Supports metric units for map segmentation
  • Allows users to insert on-ramp and off-ramp nodes in map segmentation
  • Includes SAF and CAF as global inputs
HCS Highways Logo

Highways

  • Adds Two-Lane Highway Facility formatted report
  • Widens some input ranges
  • Corrects incorrect facility travel time
  • Corrects LOS computation based on speed limit
  • Provides warning message when length of passing lanes is larger than 3 miles in two-lane highways

To view the full version release history, click here.

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