System Modification Innovative Intersections MEDIAN U-TURN INTERSECTIONS COST TIME MODERATE STATE MINOR STREET MINOR STREET O REGI NAL IMPACT LOCAL RID OR OR MAJOR STREET MAJOR STREET C PT HO HURDES MAJOR STREET MOVEMENTS MINOR STREET MOVEMENTS CITSTATE RIHT-O-A PUIC ACCEPTANCE More Information: tti.tamu.edu/policy/how-to-fix-congestion SUCCESS STORIES Description How Will This Help? Plano, Texas. In 2011, the City Median U-turn intersections (also called • Costs less and is faster to of Plano installed the state’s only a thruturn or Michigan left) guide all traf- deploy than other innovative median U-turn intersection at fic, except left-turning vehicles, through intersection designs. Legacy Drive and Preston Road. the main intersection. Left-turning vehi- • Simplifies the traffic signal cles turn through U-turn openings in the The intersection timings for the intersection and dramatically improved median beyond the main intersection. whole corridor by eliminating the congestion by reducing Eliminating the left turn at the main need for a left-turn arrow. intersection wait intersection simplifies signal timings and times by 65%. provides more green time and less con- • Increases safety at the gestion to the major direction. intersection by eliminating traffic However, the design conflicts caused by left turns. was abandoned in 2014 Median U-turn intersections are similar due to a lack of public to superstreets but differ in that medi- Implementation Issues understanding and an U-turns allow minor street traffic to This intersection design can require acceptance. pass straight through the intersection. additional right-of-way to accommodate Superstreet intersections require all the U-turn turning radius in the median. minor street traffic to turn right and Additionally, if the number of left-turn- make a U-turn. ing vehicles increases dramatically, the traffic generated could overwhelm the Target Market intersection. Median U-turn intersections work best at signalized intersections (usually arteri- Public acceptance is crucial for the al roads) with heavy through-traffic con- design’s success. When using this gestion and moderate to light left-turn design, agencies should actively engage traffic. This design focuses on eliminat- the public to educate them on the ing the delay caused by the left turns. concept..