The two-stage ICE study procedure is beneficial for interchange modification, reconstruction or where new construction n is planned.

In Stage 1 the intersection analysis is comprised of operations and safety components:

See

Chapter 10

for process and data requirements.

Appendix L, Section 1 – Interchange Analysis Checklist

provides two sample checklists of data required and information to be reported for ICE type studies. Other interchange studies may require a more detailed gathering of information, per

Appendix L, Section 1 -Interchange Analysis Checklist – Other Studies.

CAP-X is a pass-fail tool and not a ranking tool. The CAP-X LOS results are not granular enough to rank alternatives. SPICE, in Stage 1, can be used as a ranking tool.

Stage 2 ICE includes more advanced safety and operations analysis as needed, along with other factors such as cost and impacts (utilities, ROW, environmental, etc.), as needed. The main tools used in Stage 2 operations analysis are Synchro, HCS, and Vissim. The analysis software tool selection is based on intersection type, project complexity, and object level of detail. See

Figure 11-15

for recommended analysis tools. The capability of the software is found in

Chapter 4

. Stage 2 Safety analysis and detailed comparison of alternatives uses the FHWA Interchange Safety Comparison Tool (see

Appendix L, Section 4

).

When both the safety (SPICE) and operations (CAP-X) analyses generate a clear preference for intersection control, Stage 2 ICE investigation may not be necessary and the project can proceed to schematic design and detailed cost estimation. ICE Stage 2 is necessary when a clear preference for safety improvement is not evident in Stage 1, or where more detailed operational or impacts analysis is needed.