Study Details

Study Title: Improving Safety and Operations of Tram/Traffic Management at Intersections - The Hook Turn

Authors: Currie and Reynolds

Publication Date: 2011

Abstract: Signalised intersections with trams in mixed traffic are problematic due to conflicts with traffic making opposing turns and the delays they cause for trams. In Melbourne, Australia an approach called a 'hook 4 turn', used for over 50 years, removes this barrier by having turning traffic wait in kerbside lanes to make turns when side road signals turn green. This paper presents a review of the 'Hook Turn' exploring operations and safety impacts. Hook turn style maneuvers are also in use on buses in Australia, traffic in China/ USA (Illinois) and bikes/motorcycles in several other countries. In each case hook turns relocate opposing turns to improve intersection safety and efficiency. Operational analysis of the traffic impacts of hook turns in Melbourne suggest that they act to reduce congestion because turning traffic does not delay through vehicles. In addition 38% of drivers tend to avoid hook turns which acts to increase intersection capacity. An analysis of tram delay suggests a saving of 11.25-15.64 seconds per tram. This saves 3-5 trams or between $Aust 15M ($US 12.9M) and 14 $Aust 25M (US$ 21.5M) in fleet capital costs. A series of safety analysis using crash data and conflict point analysis demonstrate that hook turns have better safety performance than conventional intersections. Overall it is clear that hook turns act to improve intersection operations and safety with trams in the Melbourne context. However challenges with driver understanding and compliance are major barriers to adoption of hook turns in other areas.

Study Citation: Graham, C. and J. Reynolds., "Improving Safety and Operations of Tram/Traffic Management at Intersections - The Hook Turn." Presented at the 90th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., (2011).


CMFs Associated With This Study

Category: Intersection geometry

Countermeasure: Configure an intersection with automobile and tram traffic for 'hook turns'

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.62381 StarAngleAllNot SpecifiedUrban
0.24761 StarHead onAllNot SpecifiedUrban
1.56-561 StarRear endAllNot SpecifiedUrban
4.98-3981 StarSideswipeAllNot SpecifiedUrban
0.7301 StarAllAllNot SpecifiedUrban
0.61391 StarAngleAllNot SpecifiedUrban
0.3701 StarHead onAllNot SpecifiedUrban
0.9191 StarRear endAllNot SpecifiedUrban
4.24-3241 StarSideswipeAllNot SpecifiedUrban
0.69311 StarAllAllNot SpecifiedUrban
01001 StarHead onAllNot SpecifiedUrban
0.68321 StarAllAllNot SpecifiedUrban