Development of Left-turn Lane Guidelines for Signalized and Unsignalized Intersections

Development of Left-turn Lane Guidelines for Signalized and Unsignalized Intersections
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2004
Genre: Left-turn lanes
ISBN:

It is generally accepted that the level of service (LOS) at intersections significantly affects the overall LOS of the road system. It is also known that the LOS at an intersection can be adversely affected by frequently allowing left-turning vehicles to block through traffic. In addition, crash rates tend to be higher at intersections than on through sections of a road. The separation of left-turning vehicles from through traffic is therefore an important condition for the safe and effective operation of intersections. Existing guidelines for installing left-turn lanes have several limitations. They are mainly based on the traffic volumes at the intersection, and they use deterministic models with fixed gap acceptance and/or left-turn maneuver times. In addition, the guidelines for left-turn lanes for unsignalized intersections and signalized intersections must be specific for the type of intersection. In this study, new left-turn guidelines for both unsignalized and signalized intersections were developed on the basis of well-validated event-based simulation programs. Guidelines for unsignalized intersections were based on the percentage of left turns blocking through vehicles, whereas the guidelines for signalized intersections were developed using a minimum left-turn volume of either 85% left-turn capacity or LOS E delay (55 seconds/vehicle). In addition to the general guidelines, a prioritization tool that can be used to prioritize candidate intersections was developed. The prioritization tool accounts for both operational and safety aspects.

Left-turn Treatments at Intersections

Left-turn Treatments at Intersections
Author: James L. Pline
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Total Pages: 100
Release: 1996
Genre: Controlled access highways
ISBN:

This synthesis will be of interest to traffic engineers in both the public and private sectors, as well as to design engineers, safety and law enforcement officials, traffic signal technicians, and others concerned with the accommodation of nonmotorized transportation (pedestrians and bicycles) on the roadway. The synthesis describes the traffic conditions, signalization, signing, and geometric design issues associated with accommodating left-turning vehicles at intersections. This report of the Transportation Research Board discusses the basic concerns related to left-turn movements and the guidelines and requirements for handling these movements in the traffic stream. It also addresses the design criteria for left-turn treatments and the performance measures frequently applied to determine their effectiveness. The synthesis discusses the specific requirements for signing and pavement markings, and the various elements of traffic signal requirements, signal design and installation, phasing optimization, and lane-use controls. There is also a description of special applications such as U-turn control, pedestrian requirements, bicycles, and light rail transit interface.