SIMULATION OF ARTERIAL LEFT TURN ALTERNATIVES
The efficiency of five alternatives for an intersection between four-lane arterials was investigated through use of a factorial experiment with the TRAF-NETSIM traffic simulation model. A jughandle intersection, three types of median U-turn intersections, and a standard intersection with dual left turn lanes and protected left turn signals were modelled for a range of relatively high to relatively low left turn and through volumes of traffic. The measures of effectiveness (MOEs) investigated included vehicle miles travelled, travel times, and stops per vehicle. Based on current practice in states using jughandles and median U-turns and on the sparse prior literature, the jughandle and median U-turn intersections were expected to reduce travel times because fewer signal phases are required. The experiment results generally showed that one of the median U-turn alternatives, the intersection with four median U-turn roads controlled by "STOP" signs, was very promising with the lowest travel times for most volumes tested and the fewest stops for some volumes. However, the other two median U-turn alternatives tested fared poorly for travel time and stops, and all three median caused the most miles driven. The jughandle intersection was usually the second best of the five intersections for any MOE. Finally, the standard intersection always had the lowest miles driven, and had the fewest stops for some volumes. While many questions remain, the limited test conducted in this research showed the promise of the alternatives and should be followed by more extensive testing.
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Corporate Authors:
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, NC United States 28223-0001 -
Authors:
- Hummer, J E
- Thompson, T D
- Publication Date: 1991-7
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 35 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Arterial highways; Bus stops; Exclusive phasing; Intersections; Left turn lanes; Left turns; Measures of effectiveness; Medians; Stopping; Traffic simulation; Travel time; U turns; Vehicle miles of travel
- Uncontrolled Terms: Jughandle intersections; Median u-turns
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00716885
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: TPR No. 61
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Feb 28 1996 12:00AM