RIGHT TURN ON RED: UTILIZATION AND IMPACT

The purpose of this research effort was to investigate the quality of use of "Right Turn on Red" in Indiana after one year of allowing the maneuver as a basic rule. Attention was given to the study of all factors that might affect the maneuver as well as the consequences that might occur as a result of applying it. Data were obtained from 150 signalized intersection approaches scattered over 18 cities. Each approach was observed for four hours during peak and off-peak periods. The study examined the performance of th RTOR maneuver and the effect of the maneuver on traffic conflicts as well as pedestrians. A part of the study examined left turn on red from a one-way street to another one-way street. The number of vehicles that turned on red at locations where RTOR or LTOR was prohibited was also observed. A questionnaire was sent to traffic officials in the cities of Indiana to secure information and recommondations regarding the practice in their cities. It was found that RTOR was made by 19.5% of the total right turns, while the LTOR was made by only 1.3% of the total left turns. The number of violations at locations where the turn on red movements were prohibited was very small, certainly insignificant. Important factors that affected RTOR usage were: signal type, city size and availability of exclusive right turn lanes. The number of approach lanes and the number of cross lanes were of little importance. Conflicts between turning on red vehicles and cross traffic did not cause a significant problem. Also, turning on red vehicles did not cause significant hazard to pedestrians. Twenty RTOR accidents were reported in one year in over 70 cities according to questionnaire answers and interviews with traffic engineers. These accidents involved only minor property damages and minor injuries. Most traffic officials were in favor of allowing the RTOR maneuver as a basic rule. The only problem that was reported was that some drivers turn on red without coming to a complete stop before turning.

• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP

  Purdue University, School of Civil Engineering
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907-1284
• Authors:
  • Mamlouk, M S
• Publication Date: 1976-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 101 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Left turns; Pedestrians; Questionnaires; Right turn on red; Signalized intersections; Traffic conflicts
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00141668
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Report/Paper Numbers: JHRP-76-17, HS-019 114,, File No 84-41
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 15 2002 12:00AM