What is the degree of saturation, X?

• A. Traffic volume divided by available parking space
• B. Volume to capacity ratio
• C. Capacity divided by traffic volume
• D. Percentage of road usage

Answer: (B)

The degree of saturation, often denoted as X, is defined as the volume to capacity ratio. This represents the relationship between the actual traffic volume on a roadway and the maximum capacity of that roadway to handle traffic. It is expressed as a fraction or percentage, indicating how much of the available roadway capacity is being utilized at a given time.

Understanding the concept of the volume to capacity ratio is essential in traffic engineering, as it helps assess the performance and efficiency of transportation facilities. A ratio greater than one indicates that the volume exceeds capacity, leading to congestion, while a ratio of less than one suggests that there is available capacity for additional traffic.

The other choices refer to different aspects of transportation but do not accurately define the degree of saturation. For instance, traffic volume divided by available parking space relates more to parking supply and demand. Capacity divided by traffic volume would yield an inverse relationship, and percentage of road usage is a broader term that doesn't specifically refer to the volume to capacity assessment that defines the degree of saturation.