TditilTraditional ItIntersecti on vs. Median U‐turn
Median U‐turns are a system that does not allow left‐turns and requires right turns and u‐turns instead
Traditional Intersection
Traditional iiintersection signal cycle has 4 phases –
2 for left turns
2 for through movements Traditional Intersection
4 Phase Signal Cycle Times*
10% 6%
22% 62% lefts straight through
*average intersection
75% of the traffic (through movement) gets only about 60% of the cycle time Too much time spent on left turns and yellow signals (transition between movements)
Innovative Intersection
Innovative intersection signal cycles have only 2 (or 3) phases – left turns are moved or redirected Innovative Intersections create more green time 4 Phase Signal ItiInnovative 2 Phase Cycle Times Signal Cycle Times 6% 4% 10% 6%
22% 62% 90% lefts straight straight through through
75% ‐ 80% of traffic 100% of traffic gets 90% of time – gets only about 60% of time no waiting for left turns
Median U‐turn
Left turns routed through u‐turn pockets in median
aka Michigan Left Median U‐turn
Birmingham, MI
Median U‐turn
Birmingham, MI Median U‐turn
Birmingham, MI
Median U‐turn
Birmingham, MI Michigan Left‐Turn
WtWest Big Beaver Rd. (Detroit suburb)
Median U‐turn
Existing Locations: Median U‐turns are also known as Michigan Lefts because they have been used in numerous locations throughout the state. They can also be found in the US and elsewhere: o Juarez, MMiexico on several bbloulevar ds • Ave de Las Torres and Boulevard Teofilo Borunda • Double MUT on Antonio Bermudez and Ejercito Nacional o Pontiac, Michigan on Woodward Ave at Square Lake Rd (double MUT example) o Saltillo, Mexico on the Paseo de La Reforma o Santiago, Chile on Ave Las Torres (at Ave Glaldys Marin) o Tampa, Florida on portions of Fowler Avenue o Tucson, Arizona on Grant Road, Oracle Rd to Swan Rd For more information visit compassidaho.org Median U‐turn
Can be applied to a single intersection or to a corridor with divided roadway U‐turn point can be augmented with a “loon” to assist larger vehicles U‐turn point can be signalized or unsignalized
Thank You
For more information visit compassidaho.org Air photos source: Google Earth and Bing Maps