Environments for Route Planning: Controlled, Residential, (Suburban and Urban) Business, City, Highway, Interstate
Controlled Assumes
Open Space management responsibilities Less than 30 mph
External distractions controlled by instructor
Little to minimal cross traffic volume
Single lane residential or suburban style marked and unmarked with controlled and uncontrolled intersections
Where and What to look for
SIPDE/Smith System
Low Assumes
Space management responsibilities Less than 45 mph
External distractions are minimal
Minimal to low cross traffic and opposing traffic
Multi-lane, one and two way flow, traffic signals simple curve and hill approaches
Moderate Assumes
Space management responsibilities Less than 55 mph
External distractions are evident and consistent to front and rear
Moderate volume of opposing traffic with low volume of cross or entry traffic,
urban areas
Limited access, multi-lane, rural curves and hill approaches, moderate controlled urban one and two way streets
Light weather and visibility conditions.
Intermediate Assumes
Space management responsibilities. Varying speeds up to speed limits
Assesses student space management
External distractions are numerous and inconsistent to front and rear
High volume opposing traffic with a variety of volume of cross or entry traffic,
urban and business areas
Light weather and visibility conditions.
Complex Assumes
Space management responsibilities. Varying speeds up to speed limits
Passing with or without opposing traffic
External distractions are numerous and inconsistent front and rear
High volume opposing, cross , entry and exit flows.
Mix of drivers using variance of speed and lane position adjustments
Varying road surfaces, visibility, and weather conditions
Trip planning and map reading
Controlled Assumes
Open Space management responsibilities Less than 30 mph
External distractions controlled by instructor
Little to minimal cross traffic volume
Single lane residential or suburban style marked and unmarked with controlled and uncontrolled intersections
Where and What to look for
SIPDE/Smith System
Low Assumes
Space management responsibilities Less than 45 mph
External distractions are minimal
Minimal to low cross traffic and opposing traffic
Multi-lane, one and two way flow, traffic signals simple curve and hill approaches
Moderate Assumes
Space management responsibilities Less than 55 mph
External distractions are evident and consistent to front and rear
Moderate volume of opposing traffic with low volume of cross or entry traffic,
urban areas
Limited access, multi-lane, rural curves and hill approaches, moderate controlled urban one and two way streets
Light weather and visibility conditions.
Intermediate Assumes
Space management responsibilities. Varying speeds up to speed limits
Assesses student space management
External distractions are numerous and inconsistent to front and rear
High volume opposing traffic with a variety of volume of cross or entry traffic,
urban and business areas
Light weather and visibility conditions.
Complex Assumes
Space management responsibilities. Varying speeds up to speed limits
Passing with or without opposing traffic
External distractions are numerous and inconsistent front and rear
High volume opposing, cross , entry and exit flows.
Mix of drivers using variance of speed and lane position adjustments
Varying road surfaces, visibility, and weather conditions
Trip planning and map reading
