Study Details
Study Title: Safety Effect of Smart Right-Turn Design at Intersections
Authors: Barua, U.
Publication Date:NOV, 2018
Abstract: This article describes the development, implementation, and safety benefits of smart right-turns. The design consists of a narrow angle of channelization at approximately 70 degrees. A smart right-turn widens the cone of vision of the driver towards the pedestrians as well as the cross-traffic. Thus, smart right-turns allow for safer pedestrian crossing and also improve vehicle–vehicle interactions since the new approach angle affords drivers a better view of the traffic stream they are to merge with. As part of the Safety Improvement Program in the Austin Transportation Department, several smart right-turns were constructed at high crash intersections where high speed right-turns were found to be a contributing factor. This paper presents the state of the art techniques applied in planning, engineering, designing and construction of this smart right-turn, key factors driving the success, and lessons learned in the process. This paper focuses on the safety effect of smart right-turns at intersections and features significant crash reductions achieved from the application of smart right-turns using Empirical Bayes method. The result showed that smart right-turns can reduce overall right-turn crashes by 47 percent and severe right-turn crashes by 40 percent.
Study Citation: Barua, U. "Safety Effect of Smart Right-Turn Design at Intersections." ITE Journal, (November 2018) pp. 38-43.
CMFs Associated With This Study
Category: Intersection geometry
Countermeasure: Change right-turn lane geometry to increase line of sight (approach level)
| CMF | CRF(%) | Quality | Crash Type | Crash Severity | Roadway Type | Area Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.53 | 47 |  | Right turn | All | Principal Arterial Other | Urban |
| 0.6 | 40 | | Right turn | K,A | Principal Arterial Other | Urban |
