
Presentation | 2013
Field Evaluation of Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection
- Authored by: Wei Zang
- Co-authored by: Dr. Joe G Bared , Chris Cunningham
- Event: 2012 National Conference on Access Management
Field Evaluation of Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection The Maryland Experience Presentation Outline The Safety Issue To Be Addressed RCUT Concept Suitable traffic conditions for RCUT implementation Control parameters FHWA Evaluation Evaluation results Conclusions Slide Titles Field Evaluation of Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection (RCUT) Presentation Outline The Safety Issue To Be Addressed RCUT Concept Suitable Traffic Conditions for Using RCUT RCUT Control Parameters U-Turn Opening Location FHWA Evaluation Driver Behavior Study Signing Study (minor road lanes not the same as field) Safety Study Evaluation Results Driver Behavior (Peak Hour) Driver Behavior (Peak Hour) – Continue Signing Study Results Safety Study: 9 RCUT locations Belle Plaine, MN: US 169 and CR 3 Conclusions At the observed field locations the RCUT had more minor road movements and fewer conflicts than the control intersection (during peak hour) Most drivers take advantage of the acceleration lanes when there are potential conflicts with through traffic Travel time may increase up to 1 minute when highway traffic volume is low Overhead signing was most effective in positioning drivers in the correct lane upstream of the stop line High percentage (41%) of driver errors in completing the through movement suggests RCUT design may be difficult to comprehend on first encounter RCUTs on divided highways are much safer than conventional unsignalized intersections (crash severity and total crashes)