MassDOT Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE)

An Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) is a consistent and objective procedure founded upon performance-based criteria to screen intersection control strategies.

Beginning during the project initiation phase of the project development procedure, the ICE procedure supports MassDOT’s efforts to deliver better transportation solutions to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Table of Contents

What is an ICE?

The purpose of an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) is to consider multiple context-sensitive control strategies in a consistent manner when planning a new intersection or modifying an existing intersection. The ICE process provides an opportunity for safety to be integrated into intersection control decisions, leading to the implementation of safer, more balanced cost-effective solutions. The goal of an ICE is to objectively select a control strategy that meets the project’s purpose and need and fits the intersection’s location context and roadway classification, while achieving the overall long-term best value.

Overview of the ICE Procedure

The following resources provide an overview of the ICE Procedure, including the applicability of the Procedure and when the Procedure is conducted during the project development process. 

Procedure Requirements

MassDOT ICE Procedure Requirements (English, PDF)

When is the ICE Procedure required?

The ICE procedure is the same whether it involves new intersections or modifications to existing intersections. ICE is required for each project intersection that meets any of the following criteria, unless the project intersection is exempt:

  • Creating a new intersection
  • Adding a leg to an existing intersection
  • Adding one or more through lanes, left-turn lanes, channelized turn lanes, or bypass lanes to an existing intersection approach
  • Changing the traffic control at an existing intersection. Examples include:
    • Adding or removing a traffic signal
    • Adding or removing a Stop or Yield sign to control an intersection movement on an approach
  • High-crash location, except when the scope of work is limited to maintenance or resurfacing.

A project is exempt from the ICE procedure if any of the following apply:

  • The project is municipally-led, entirely on locally-maintained roadways, not funded using Federal Highway Administration funds, not being designed by MassDOT or consultants under contract with MassDOT, and not advertised by MassDOT.
  • The project is entirely funded through Chapter 90 or a MassDOT grant program and is entirely on locally-maintained roadways
  • The project receives a written waiver from the State Traffic Engineer
  • The project has been reviewed through the MEPA process and has a Section 61 Findings with specific mitigation requirements

An intersection is exempt from the ICE procedure if any of the following apply:

  • All minor street approaches to the intersection have an AADT less than 1,000 vehicles per day
  • The intersection receives a written waiver from the State Traffic Engineer

More information is provided in the MassDOT ICE Procedure Requirements PDF provided above.

Conducting an ICE

The following tools, forms and guides may be used during the MassDOT ICE Procedure.

 

MassDOT ICE Applicability Form

This Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is used at the project initiation stage to determine if the ICE Procedure is applicable or not. In the spreadsheet, the Project Proponent will first determine if the project is exempt from ICE or not. If the project is not exempt, the Project Proponent will then need to assess all intersections within the project to determine whether each intersection is.

MassDOT ICE Form

This Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is used to provide a uniform method to document the results of the analyses and the considerations given by the project proponent or designer for selecting a preferred intersection control strategy for each evaluation stage. The project proponent or designer shall prepare an ICE Form documenting the outcomes of each evaluation stage. The ICE Form shall identify the control strategies considered, reasons for eliminating control strategies, and reasons or analyses results for selecting a preferred strategy.

MassDOT ICE Tool

This Microsoft Excel spreadsheet-based tool is used during ICE Stage 2 and provides a project life-cycle net present value and benefit-to-cost ratio for potential intersection control strategies. The tool incorporates several considerations for screening and assessing intersection control strategies including safety performance, operational and capacity considerations, as well as impacts and costs associated with right-of-way, design, and construction.

MassDOT Safety Alternatives Analysis Guide

These guidelines and accompanying Microsoft Excel spreadsheets use MassDOT calibrated SPFs and CMFs to calculate predicted and expected crashes at a location. These calculated crashes may be used as input for the MassDOT ICE Tool. The MassDOT Safety Alternatives Analysis Guide can be found on the Highway Safety Improvement Program page.

Capacity Analysis for Planning of Junctions (CAP-X)

When turning movement count data is available, this tool is a recommended but optional step during ICE Stage 1. This Microsoft Excel spreadsheet-based tool is used to evaluate various intersection control strategies using peak flow volumes and lane configurations as inputs. The output is a volume-to-capacity ratio for each control strategy based either on critical lane volume summations or HCM equations.

Additional Resources

Training

Module 1: Overview and Stage 1
This tutorial covers the purpose and overview of the ICE Procedure and Stage 1.

Module 2: Stage 1 Rural Case Study
This tutorial demonstrates ICE applicability and ICE Stage 1 for a rural project location.

Module 2: Stage 1 Urban Case Study
This tutorial demonstrates ICE applicability and ICE Stage 1 for an urban project location.

Contact   for MassDOT Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE)

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