HCM and LOS
The HCM 2000 defines "level of service" as follows: "a qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream, based on service measures such as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort, and convenience (HCM 2000, p. 5-8.). This definition of level of service applies to all transportation modes, motorized or non-motorized. Walking is treated as a variation of motorized traffic, the transportation modes being separated only by space and time.
"The qualitative measures of pedestrian flow are similar to those used for vehicular flow, such as the freedom to choose desired speeds and to bypass others" (HCM 2000, p. 11-1).
The HCM attempts to make walking an equal among all transport modes, but it does so only on its terms of service measures. The LOS system is remarkable for its lack of relevance to the personal experience of walking. LOS is based on chronological time. The quality of walking is, however, determined to a large degree by psychological or perceived time.