HCS is an HCM-based (mesoscopic) tool that allows for evaluation of several types of interchanges. HCS covers the following interchange types:

HCS outputs include traffic operations MOEs (e.g., LOS, delay, queue lengths) and ETT.

HCS is one of the only tools that directly reports ETT. It is important to note that HCS cannot be used to evaluate oversaturated conditions

, particularly when there is queue spillback affecting upstream and downstream operations. Other limitations of HCS include analyzing impacts of interchange operations on the arterial street, providing travel time for upstream and downstream links, and interchanges with two-way stop control junctions or combination of signalized and unsignalized junctions. It is recommended to use microsimulation (microscopic) tools in these scenarios.