One of the major objectives of the I-95/Scudder Falls Bridge Improvement Project is to alleviate congestion on the Bridge and on I-95. Level of Service (LOS) is one way that traffic engineers qualitatively measure congestion and its affect on operating conditions. Engineers use the Highway Capacity Manual produced by the Transportation Research Board based in Washington, D.C. to categorize roadway operating conditions. The categories range from LOS A to LOS F, and are briefly described below:

• LOS A - Represents a free-flow operation. Vehicles are almost completely unimpeded in their ability to maneuver within the traffic stream.
• LOS B - Represents reasonably free-flow operation. The ability to maneuver within the traffic stream is slightly restricted.
• LOS C - Represents a traffic flow with speeds near or at free-flow speed of the freeway. Ability to maneuver within the traffic stream is noticeably restricted.
• LOS D - Represents speeds that begin to decline with increased density. Ability to maneuver within the traffic stream is noticeably limited.
• LOS E - Represents operation at its capacity. Vehicles are closely spaced within the traffic stream and there are virtually no useable gaps to maneuver.
• LOS F - Represents a breakdown of vehicle flow. This condition exists within queues forming behind the breakdown points.