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Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element Handbook, Level -of -Service capacities in the generalized tables decreased for nearly all classifications of roadways. While many of the capacities increased in the latest (2009) FDOT handbook, the overall trend remains lower. For example, the peak hour directional capacity at LOS "D" for a 4 -lane roadway with between 2 and 4.5 signals/mile dropped from 1,890 vehicles in the 1998 handbook to 1,770 vehicles in the 2009 handbook. Because the generalized tables are the basis of most of the county's LOS capacity determinations, lower capacity volumes result in lower levels of service at the same traffic volume. Despite the trend toward lower levels -of -service, no roadway segments in unincorporated Indian River County actually exceed their adopted LOS standard. While several roadway segments exceed Level of Service "D", those roadways are within their adopted standard. That is because the county lowered the level of service standard to "E+20%" on portions of those roadways. Those roadways are 43rd Avenue and 27th Avenue in south Indian River County. It is anticipated that this reduction in the adopted level -of -service standard will be a temporary measure until those roadways can be widened. Safety On a regular basis, the county examines its crash records to identify those locations with high crash occurrences. The county also seeks opportunities to improve safety in future roadway projects and routinely examines existing travel conditions in order to improve deficiencies that may not yet be reflected in crash statistics. As a result, both the crash rate per capita (.012) and the crash rate per vehicle miles traveled (1 per 2,800 VMT) have remained constant over time in Indian River County. While this does not indicate improved safety, it does indicate that safety is not getting worse. This is significant in a climate of increasing congestion and population growth. Because the percentage of crashes resulting in fatalities has also remained constant (2% of all crashes), this indicates that no increase in the severity of crashes has occurred in Indian River County. While overall crash rates have remained constant in Indian River County in the past decade, the number of intersections with five or more crashes has increased over time. This is not, however, necessarily indicative of a worsening safety situation. Rather, it is to be expected that the number of crashes will increase, given recent growth in population, travel, and the number of new intersections that result from new roadway construction. A better indication of safety can be determined by examining overall crash rates and the severity of crashes, a technique utilized in the 2025 Florida Transportation Plan. It should be noted that safety on many of the major corridors in the county has improved dramatically despite a significant increase in traffic. This can be attributed to the fact that FDOT and the county routinely undertake a number of safety improvements in the course of roadway widening projects. For example, part of the decline on USI and SR 60 can be attributed to FDOT's safety management techniques, including the installation of mast arm signalization and backlit street identification signs; access management improvements, including the installation of center medians; and the use of ITS technologies (including fiber optic cables, traffic cameras, and white enforcement lights). As more information on the effectiveness of FDOT's techniques is obtained, some or all of these improvements may be incorporated into the county's roadway design and safety procedures. Community Development Department Indian River County 53