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)