The intersection is one of the most congested and dangerous roadway segments in the whole transportation system. With the increasing traffic demand, traditional intersection design cannot accommodate large traffic volumes well. Therefore, their associated problems, such as traffic congestion, travel delay, crashes, and road environment, raise concerns. Innovative intersections, also known as alternative or unconventional intersections, were put forward by transportation engineers to treat these increasing and serious traffic problems. Unlike conventional intersection designs, which usually accommodate traffic by improving signal systems or increasing rights of way by simply widening the road, innovative intersections are more comprehensive design measures, which are intended to utilize the roadway resources fully and to consider how best to benefit different roadway users. This research focuses on three widely implemented innovative intersections: the Displaced Left Turn (Continuous-flow Intersection), the Medium U-turn (Michigan Left), and the Restricted Crossing U-turn (Superstreet). Previous studies related to those three intersection designs were reviewed and summarized, including geometric design, operational performance, safety performance and others as well as current design standards could apply to or specifically for these new designs. In addition, the displaced left turn intersection was selected to conduct simulation-based operational analysis and collision diagram-based safety analysis. Findings and recommendations were provided. The objectives of this project are to (1) synthesize existing studies on these three representative innovative intersection designs regarding their aspects of mobility, safety and other performance; (2) examine the design guidelines on critical features of these three innovative intersection types; (3) conduct a simulation-based operational analysis of the displaced left turn intersection; (4) investigate the operational impacts of the left turn crossover distance; and (5) conduct case studies to investigate the safety impacts of implementing the displaced left turn intersection design.
Use of Innovative Intersection Designs for Improving Mobility and Reducing Roadway Traffic Congestion
2018
105 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Transportation Safety , Road Transportation , Transportation , Control Devices & Equipment , Transportation & Traffic Planning , Regional Administration & Planning , Urban Administration & Planning , Intersection designs , Signal systems , Traffic volumes , Traffic congestion , Safety impacts , Recommendations , Operational performance , Travel delays
British Library Online Contents | 2004