Guidelines for Free Right-turn Lanes at Unsignalized Intersections on Rural Two-lane Highways

Guidelines for Free Right-turn Lanes at Unsignalized Intersections on Rural Two-lane Highways
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 128
Release: 1995
Genre: Roads
ISBN:

Free right-turn (FRT) lanes are turning roadways at intersections that provide for free-flowing right-turn movements. The objective of the research presented in this report was to develop guidelines for FRT lanes at unsignalized intersections on rural two-lane highways in Nebraska. The development of the guidelines was based on a benefit-cost analysis, which determined the right-turn volumes required to justify the construction and maintenance of FRT lanes at these locations. The research involved the evaluation of the operational and safety effects of FRT lanes. The operational effects of FRT lanes were analyzed using kinematic and traffic flow models. Accident data analysis, field studies, and computer simulation of truck dynamics were used to evaluate the safety effects of FRT lanes. The results of these analyses were also used to determine acceptable design criteria for FRT lanes. A survey of other state agencies was conducted to identify any existing guidelines, design criteria, and experience that might be useful in developing the guidelines and evaluating the design criteria. Also, the concerns of citizens opposed to the removal of FRT lanes were examined in an effort to develop guidelines that might effectively address these concerns. The results of the research indicate that design-year right-turn AADTs ranging from 440 to 825 vehicles per day, depending on the percentage of trucks, are required to warrant a FRT lane at an unsignalized intersection of rural two-lane highways. A design speed of 40 mph was found to be a realistic design speed and the most cost-effective design speed for FRT lanes. However, design speeds up to 55 mph do not significantly reduce the cost effectiveness of a FRT lane. The AASHTO design criteria for curves on open highways were found to be appropriate for designing the curvature of FRT lanes. The AASHTO criteria for minimum-radii intersection curves were not acceptable. Also, acceleration lanes were found to improve the safety of the merging operations associated with FRT lanes. The results of the accident data analysis do not support the perceptions of concerned citizens regarding the safety benefits of FRT lanes. FRT lanes were not found to affect the frequency, severity, or types of accidents that occur at unsignalized intersections on rural two-lane highways. Thus, FRT lanes should not be perceived, or promoted, as traffic safety improvements. The benefits of FRT lanes are limited to improving the efficiency of right-turn movements.

Left-turn Accommodations at Unsignalized Intersections

Left-turn Accommodations at Unsignalized Intersections
Author: Kay Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Total Pages: 62
Release: 2013
Genre: Left-turn lanes
ISBN: 0309258987

"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 745: Left-Turn Accommodations at Unsignalized Intersections presents guidance for the selection and design of left-turn accommodations at unsignalized intersections. The report includes 11 case studies of typical situations that illustrate the use of the guidance." -- publisher's description.

Development of Left-turn Lane Warrants for Unsignalized Intersections

Development of Left-turn Lane Warrants for Unsignalized Intersections
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2010
Genre: Left-turn lanes
ISBN:

Left-turn movements at intersections, including driveways - especially movements that are made from lanes that are shared with through traffic - cause delays and adversely impact safety. Although left-turn warrants have been updated, many agencies still use research performed by M. Harmelink from the mid-1960s. While most states use procedures that are based on Harmelink, a number of limitations of Harmelink's procedure have been identified. Economic analysis can provide a useful method for combining traffic operations and safety benefits of left-turn lanes to identify situations in which left-turn lanes are and are not justified economically. This project used a benefit-cost approach to determine when a left-turn lane would be justified. The steps included simulation to determine delay savings from installing a left-turn lane, crash costs and crash reduction savings determined from safety performance functions and accident modification factors available in the "Highway Safety Manual," and construction costs. Left-turn lane warrants were developed for rural two-lane highways, rural four-lane highways, and urban and suburban roadways. In addition, warrants for bypass lanes were developed for rural two-lane highways. A "Design Guide on Left-Turn Accommodations at Unsignalized Intersections" was developed that discusses left-turn lane designs, traffic control treatments, and case study examples.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts
Author: Lee August Rodegerdts
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2010
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309155118

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 672: Roundabouts: An Informational Guide - Second Edition explores the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of roundabouts. The report also addresses issues that may be useful in helping to explain the trade-offs associated with roundabouts. This report updates the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, based on experience gained in the United States since that guide was published in 2000.

Traffic Engineering Handbook

Traffic Engineering Handbook
Author: ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 688
Release: 2016-01-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1118762304

Get a complete look into modern traffic engineering solutions Traffic Engineering Handbook, Seventh Edition is a newly revised text that builds upon the reputation as the go-to source of essential traffic engineering solutions that this book has maintained for the past 70 years. The updated content reflects changes in key industry standards, and shines a spotlight on the needs of all users, the design of context-sensitive roadways, and the development of more sustainable transportation solutions. Additionally, this resource features a new organizational structure that promotes a more functionally-driven, multimodal approach to planning, designing, and implementing transportation solutions. A branch of civil engineering, traffic engineering concerns the safe and efficient movement of people and goods along roadways. Traffic flow, road geometry, sidewalks, crosswalks, cycle facilities, shared lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, and moreā€”all of these elements must be considered when designing public and private sector transportation solutions. Explore the fundamental concepts of traffic engineering as they relate to operation, design, and management Access updated content that reflects changes in key industry-leading resources, such as the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), AASSHTO Policy on Geometric Design, Highway Safety Manual (HSM), and Americans with Disabilities Act Understand the current state of the traffic engineering field Leverage revised information that homes in on the key topics most relevant to traffic engineering in today's world, such as context-sensitive roadways and sustainable transportation solutions Traffic Engineering Handbook, Seventh Edition is an essential text for public and private sector transportation practitioners, transportation decision makers, public officials, and even upper-level undergraduate and graduate students who are studying transportation engineering.