Impacts on Safety of Left-turn Treatment at High Speed Signalized Intersections

Impacts on Safety of Left-turn Treatment at High Speed Signalized Intersections PDF Author: T. H. Maze
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Left-turn lanes
Languages : en
Pages : 94

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Book Description
Left-turning traffic is a major source of conflicts at intersections. Though an average of only 10% to 15% of all approach traffic turns left, these vehicles are involved in approximately 45% of all accidents. This report presents the results of research conducted to develop models which estimate approach accident rates at high speed signalized intersections. The objective of the research was to quantify the relationship between traffic and intersection characteristics, and accident potential of different left turn treatments. Geometric, turning movement counts, and traffic signal phasing data were collected at 100 intersections in Iowa using a questionnaire sent to municipalities. Not all questionnaires resulted in complete data and ultimately complete data were derived for 63 intersections providing a database of 248 approaches. Accident data for the same approaches were obtained from the Iowa Department of Transportation Accident Location and Analysis System (ALAS). Regression models were developed for two different dependent variables: 1) the ratio of the number of left turn accidents per approach to million left turning vehicles per approach, and 2) the ratio of accidents per approach to million traffic movements per approach. A number of regression models were developed for both dependent variables. One model using each dependent variable was developed for intersections with low, medium, and high left turning traffic volumes. As expected, the research indicates that protected left turn phasing has a lower accident potential than protected/permitted or permitted phasing. Left turn lanes and multiple lane approaches are beneficial for reducing accident rates, while raised medians increase the likelihood of accidents. Signals that are part of a signal system tend to have lower accident rates than isolated signals. The resulting regression models may be used to determine the likely impact of various left turn treatments on intersection accident rates. When designing an intersection approach, a traffic engineer may use the models to estimate the accident rate reduction as a result of improved lane configurations and left turn treatments. The safety benefits may then be compared to any costs associated with operational effects to the intersection (i.e., increased delay) to determine the benefits and costs of making intersection safety improvements.

Impacts on Safety of Left-turn Treatment at High Speed Signalized Intersections

Impacts on Safety of Left-turn Treatment at High Speed Signalized Intersections PDF Author: T. H. Maze
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Left-turn lanes
Languages : en
Pages : 94

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Book Description
Left-turning traffic is a major source of conflicts at intersections. Though an average of only 10% to 15% of all approach traffic turns left, these vehicles are involved in approximately 45% of all accidents. This report presents the results of research conducted to develop models which estimate approach accident rates at high speed signalized intersections. The objective of the research was to quantify the relationship between traffic and intersection characteristics, and accident potential of different left turn treatments. Geometric, turning movement counts, and traffic signal phasing data were collected at 100 intersections in Iowa using a questionnaire sent to municipalities. Not all questionnaires resulted in complete data and ultimately complete data were derived for 63 intersections providing a database of 248 approaches. Accident data for the same approaches were obtained from the Iowa Department of Transportation Accident Location and Analysis System (ALAS). Regression models were developed for two different dependent variables: 1) the ratio of the number of left turn accidents per approach to million left turning vehicles per approach, and 2) the ratio of accidents per approach to million traffic movements per approach. A number of regression models were developed for both dependent variables. One model using each dependent variable was developed for intersections with low, medium, and high left turning traffic volumes. As expected, the research indicates that protected left turn phasing has a lower accident potential than protected/permitted or permitted phasing. Left turn lanes and multiple lane approaches are beneficial for reducing accident rates, while raised medians increase the likelihood of accidents. Signals that are part of a signal system tend to have lower accident rates than isolated signals. The resulting regression models may be used to determine the likely impact of various left turn treatments on intersection accident rates. When designing an intersection approach, a traffic engineer may use the models to estimate the accident rate reduction as a result of improved lane configurations and left turn treatments. The safety benefits may then be compared to any costs associated with operational effects to the intersection (i.e., increased delay) to determine the benefits and costs of making intersection safety improvements.

Left-turn Treatment and Safety at High Speed Signalized Intersections

Left-turn Treatment and Safety at High Speed Signalized Intersections PDF Author: Raji Sankar
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description


Impact of Left-turn Phasing on Older and Younger Drivers at High-speed Signalized Intersections

Impact of Left-turn Phasing on Older and Younger Drivers at High-speed Signalized Intersections PDF Author: Shauna L. Hallmark
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 61

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Book Description


Safety Effects of Left-turn Phasing Schemes at High-speed Intersections

Safety Effects of Left-turn Phasing Schemes at High-speed Intersections PDF Author: Gary A. Davis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Left-turn lanes
Languages : en
Pages : 69

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Book Description
This report describes an effort in estimating crash modification factors (CMFs) associated with different left-turn phasing schemes, at intersections where the major approach speed limit exceeds 40 mph. For installation of signals at previously thru/stop-controlled intersections, rear-end crashes increased while right-angle crashes decreased. Installation of the signal had no effect on either major or minor approach left turn crashes as long as the protected-only left turn phasing was used on the major approaches. At one intersection where a signal was originally installed with permitted/protected phasing on the major approaches, we found evidence for an increase in major approach left-turn crashes, which vanished when the major approach left-turn treatment was changed to protected-only. For several other phasing changes it was not possible to construct an after-treatment data set of sufficient size to permit reliable estimation of an effect. This report also describes a simple simulation model for left-turn cross-path crashes, where a probabilistic gap acceptance model for the turning driver is combined with a standard braking model for the opposing driver. The model characterizes left-turn crashes as resulting when the turning driver accepts a minimal gap and takes an atypically long time complete his/her turn, while the opposing driver takes an atypically long time to react before braking. R reconstruction of an actual fatal crash however was more consistent with the opposing driver reacting normally, but with the turning driver selecting an atypically short gap. Characterizing the rate at which such selection errors occur would then be necessary to accurately predict left-turn crash frequencies.

Quantitations of the Impacts of Providing Protected Left Turns at Signalized Intersections

Quantitations of the Impacts of Providing Protected Left Turns at Signalized Intersections PDF Author: J. Edwin Clark
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic traffic controls
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description


Traffic Engineering Handbook

Traffic Engineering Handbook PDF Author: ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118762304
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 688

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Book Description
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.

Safety Effectiveness of Intersection Left- and Right-turn Lanes

Safety Effectiveness of Intersection Left- and Right-turn Lanes PDF Author: Douglas W. Harwood
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Roads
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
This report presents the results of research that performed a well-designed before-after evaluation of the safety effects of providing left- and right-turn lanes for at-grade intersections. Geometric design, traffic control, traffic volume, and traffic accident data were gathered for a total of 280 improved intersections, as well as 300 similar intersections that were not improved during the study period. The types of improvement projects evaluated included installation of added left-turn lanes, added right-turn lanes, and extension of the length of existing left- or right-turn lanes. An observational before-after evaluation of these projects was performed using several alternative evaluation approaches. The three contrasting approaches to before-after evaluation used were the yoked comparison or matched-pair approach, the comparison group approach, and the Empirical Bayes approach. The research not only evaluated the safety effectiveness of left- and right-turn lane improvements, but also compared the performance of these three alternative approaches in making such evaluations. The research developed quantitative safety effectiveness measures for installation design improvements involving added left-turn lanes and added right-turn lanes. The research concluded that the Empirical Bayes method provided the most accurate and reliable results. Further use of this method is recommended.

Traffic Signal Timing Manual

Traffic Signal Timing Manual PDF Author: U.s. Department of Transportation
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781508557173
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
This report serves as a comprehensive guide to traffic signal timing and documents the tasks completed in association with its development. The focus of this document is on traffic signal control principles, practices, and procedures. It describes the relationship between traffic signal timing and transportation policy and addresses maintenance and operations of traffic signals. It represents a synthesis of traffic signal timing concepts and their application and focuses on the use of detection, related timing parameters, and resulting effects to users at the intersection. It discusses advanced topics briefly to raise awareness related to their use and application. The purpose of the Signal Timing Manual is to provide direction and guidance to managers, supervisors, and practitioners based on sound practice to proactively and comprehensively improve signal timing. The outcome of properly training staff and proactively operating and maintaining traffic signals is signal timing that reduces congestion and fuel consumption ultimately improving our quality of life and the air we breathe. This manual provides an easy-to-use concise, practical and modular guide on signal timing. The elements of signal timing from policy and funding considerations to timing plan development, assessment, and maintenance are covered in the manual. The manual is the culmination of research into practices across North America and serves as a reference for a range of practitioners, from those involved in the day to day management, operation and maintenance of traffic signals to those that plan, design, operate and maintain these systems.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts PDF Author: Lee August Rodegerdts
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 0309155118
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
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.

Left-turn Treatments at Intersections

Left-turn Treatments at Intersections PDF Author: James L. Pline
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN:
Category : Controlled access highways
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
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.