CONTINUOUS FLOW INTERSECTION: AN INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SOLUTION

The continuous flow intersection (CFI) has great potential for improving traffic flow at intersections. Heavy left-turn movements at conventional intersections almost always have their own traffic signal phases. These separate signal phases increase safety but at a cost of reduced through volume capacity. Traffic engineers have traditionally responded to this problem by adding additional lanes, creating indirect left-turns such as jug handles or even constructing grade separated interchanges. The CFI has potential to change such traditional thinking. The National Aviation and Transportation Center at Dowling College on Long Island, New York, is the first location in the United States where a CFI, three legged intersection has been constructed. It removes the conflict between left-turning vehicles and oncoming traffic. Signal phases operate as previously described. As a result of this design, multi-phase signal operations to provide protected left-turn movements are eliminated, enhancing signal efficiency. When combined with sensor technology, new levels of signal optimization can be achieved. This paper covers the advantages of this particular CFI solution.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available only on CD.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Berkowitz, C
  • Mier, F
  • Walter, C E
  • Bragdon, C
• Conference:
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers 67th annual Meeting
  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Date: 1997-8-3 to 1997-8-7
• Publication Date: 1997

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Highway capacity; Improvements; Left turns; Optimization; T intersections; Traffic flow; Traffic signal timing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Continuous flow intersections
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00751639
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 17 1998 12:00AM