Optimal location of U-turn median openings on roadways

H Zhou, P Hsu, JJ Lu, JE Wright - Transportation research …, 2003 - journals.sagepub.com
H Zhou, P Hsu, JJ Lu, JE Wright
Transportation research record, 2003journals.sagepub.com
Many state and local transportation agencies have considered using U-turns as alternatives
to direct left turns from driveways or side streets. Median designs are used that prohibit left
turns onto the facility and mid-block U-turn median openings to accommodate diverted left
turns from side streets or driveways. The location of these U-turn median openings has a
great impact on the operations of U-turns. Traffic operations (weaving and delay) for right
turns followed by U-turn movements on urban or suburban multilane roadways were …
Many state and local transportation agencies have considered using U-turns as alternatives to direct left turns from driveways or side streets. Median designs are used that prohibit left turns onto the facility and mid-block U-turn median openings to accommodate diverted left turns from side streets or driveways. The location of these U-turn median openings has a great impact on the operations of U-turns. Traffic operations (weaving and delay) for right turns followed by U-turn movements on urban or suburban multilane roadways were analyzed. A working model was developed to guide the location of U-turn median openings by minimizing the average delay for U-turn movements. A case study demonstrates the operational and safety benefits of optimal U-turn median opening location.
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