Guidelines for Signal Operations at Intersections with Wide Medians
The objective of this project is to evaluate the operations at signalized intersections with wide medians in order to improve safety and efficiency. Intersections with wide medians are characterized by two intersections and operate differently compared to a typical intersection. Space in the wide median between the two intersections can be used to store vehicles. However management of the storage space is critical to avoid queue backing up into the upstream intersection. There are no guidelines specific to operate such intersections. This results in agencies using their discretion to develop strategies to operate such intersections, resulting in inconsistent operations. Texas Transportation Institute researchers used VISSIM simulation model to evaluate numerous strategies that were either in use by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) districts or were developed by the research team. These strategies were evaluated for various widths of medians, the number of lanes for the minor street in the median, and the presence of left-turn bays on the major street. The strategies were also evaluated for low, medium, and high volumes on the major street and on the minor street as well as different percentages of turning traffic. The research project produced recommended strategies for various volume and geometric conditions.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Project Title: Consistent Signal Timing Strategies at Intersections with Wide Medians to Improve Efficiency and Safety. Report Date: October 2009; Published: March 2010.
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Corporate Authors:
Texas Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System, 3135 TAMU
College Station, TX United States 77843-3135Texas Department of Transportation
Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
Austin, TX United States 78763-5080Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Sunkari, Srinivasa R
- Songchitruksa, Praprut
- Zeng, Xiaosi
- Balke, Kevin
- Obeng-Boampong, Kwaku
- Publication Date: 2010-3
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Edition: Technical Report
- Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 62p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Guidelines; Left turn lanes; Medians; Signalized intersections; Traffic lanes; Traffic queuing; Traffic safety; Traffic signal timing; Traffic volume; Turning traffic; Width
- Identifier Terms: VISSIM (Computer model)
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01155723
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-10/0-6176-1, Report 0-6176-1
- Contract Numbers: Project 0-6176
- Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Apr 29 2010 4:32PM