Design and Implementation of Channelized Right Turn Improvements in the City of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton has committed to the long term goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Moving towards that goal, the City of Edmonton has allocated funding for a multi-year traffic safety improvement program. One of the applications of the program is to apply engineering improvements to existing right turn geometries to increase visibility and reduce rear-end collisions. These enhancements have had positive, proven results for roadway users. This paper discusses the planning, geometric design, and construction of various right-turn improvements in the City of Edmonton over the past 5 years, and examines the results of each treatment. The City of Edmonton identified intersections with high right-turn collision frequencies and reviewed potential changes to reduce collisions. Three core design options have been adopted in the City’s design standards: simple radius, high-entry angle, and low-exit angle/free flow. A detailed review of the locations and intersections was conducted, including overall collision and operational data. Projected intersection traffic data was reviewed to ensure acceptable level of service for the right turn movement after the improvement is implemented. Project constraints include existing land/road use, utilities, existing intersection geometrics, traffic/truck volumes, right-of-way, traffic control devices (signals), sight-lines, and constructability. Balance with other roadway users (pedestrians) and driver expectation and familiarity was also considered. An evaluation matrix was used to weigh the constraints and then engineering judgement was applied to determine the most applicable improvement for each location. The intent of this paper is to present several case-studies and explain the lessons learned through all phases of design and implementation of various right-turn improvements in the City of Edmonton. Project successes and challenges will be discussed. The City of Edmonton’s future strategies for right-turn improvements, including data collection and monitoring, will be presented.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.tac-atc.ca/sites/default/files/conf_papers/mcdonoughp_design_implementation_of_right_turn_improvements-v.2_final.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)

  401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada 
• Authors:
  • McDonough, P
  • Ivany, M
• Conference:
  • TAC 2017: Investing in Transportation: Building Canada's Economy - - 2017 Conference and Exhibition of the Transportation Association of Canada
• Publication Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Pagination: 1 PDF file, 8.5 MB, 17p.
• Monograph Title: TAC 2017: Investing in Transportation: Building Canada's Economy - - 2017 Conference and Exhibition of the Transportation Association of Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Conferences; High risk locations; Improvements; Intersections; Layout; Rear end crashes; Safety; Traffic control; Traffic signals; Turning traffic; Urban areas; Visibility distance
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• ITRD Terms: 1663: Accident black spot; 8018: Canada; 8531: Case study; 8525: Conference; 9108: Improvement; 455: Junction; 2885: Layout; 1620: Rear end collision; 1665: Safety; 654: Traffic control; 565: Traffic signal; 1836: Turning; 313: Urban area; 6793: Visibility distance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01668421
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: ITRD, TAC
• Created Date: May 3 2018 3:11PM