U-TURNS AT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS

The objectives of the study were to examine the safety consequences from the installation of U-turns at signalized intersections in Kentucky and to develop a set of guidelines for using this alternative in the future. The literature review indicated that the use of U-turns is very effective in reducing delays as well as crash rates. The most efficient configuration is that of stop-controlled median U-turns. An analysis of the crash data shows that the U-turn design in the Kentucky locations did not result in a large number of crashes involving U-turning vehicles. Also, at the Somerset location where the design eliminated median crossovers between intersections, there was a decrease in total crashes. Potential factors that could affect the implementation of U-turns at intersections were examined. Using delay time as a measure of effectiveness, it was concluded that the presence of the U-turn enhances the operation of the corridor, most likely due to the more efficient processing of vehicles at the downstream intersection. The study recommends that U-turns should be considered for corridors with peak volumes greater than 1,500 vph or for cases where the expected total turn volume is greater than 20% of the total approach volume.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.2004.12
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Kentucky, Lexington

  Kentucky Transportation Center
  College of Engineering, 176 Raymond Building
  Lexington, KY  United States  40506-0281

  Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

  200 Mero Street
  Frankfort, KY  United States  40622

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Stamatiadis, N
  • Kala, T
  • Clayton, A
  • Agent, K
• Publication Date: 2004-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Guidelines; Highway capacity; Literature reviews; Signalized intersections; Traffic delays; Traffic flow; Traffic safety; U turns
• Geographic Terms: Kentucky
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00975942
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: KTC-04-12/SPR258-03-3F,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: KYSPR-258-03
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 20 2004 12:00AM