Superstreet
A superstreet, also known as a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT), J-turn,
The superstreet typically requires four traffic light-controlled intersections, and most traffic must pass through two of them, but each light has only two phases, greatly increasing average traffic flow; there is no need for numerous left-turn phases where most traffic is waiting for only a few cars to clear the intersection. Turning movements on roads with lower cross-traffic volumes may be controlled with stop or yield signs for turning traffic rather than with signals.
Variations
A (standard) RCUT, in contrast to a Michigan left, typically allows left turns from the major road to minor roads. A variation, designated by the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as a basic RCUT, prohibits such turns, restricting movements to right-in/right-outs and median U-turns only.) When the median is relatively narrow, a "bulb-out" or "loon" protrudes from the roadway, opposite from the median crossover, to accommodate a U-turn by a long vehicle, such as a tractor trailer.[3]
Practicality
Superstreets are not very common because they require substantial
Examples
In Port St. Lucie, Florida, the first superstreet in Florida was opened in late 2019 at the intersection of Crosstown Parkway and Floresta Drive.[4]
In May 2015, a superstreet was constructed on US 41 at SR 114 on the border between Morocco and Beaver Township in Newton County, Indiana. The state of Indiana makes a distinction between an RCUT, which it defines as having a traffic light-controlled main intersection, and a J-turn or RCI, which it defines as having the main intersection controlled by stop or yield signs.[5] Two examples of what Indiana calls a "J-turn" opened on June 30, 2016 at the intersections of US 231 with IN 62 and IN 68 near Dale. Traffic on the state roads at both intersections can only turn right, while US 231 traffic can turn left at both intersections.[6]
Troy, Michigan has a superstreet on West Big Beaver Road at Lakeview Drive. 42°33′41″N 83°10′53″W / 42.561383°N 83.181310°W. A simpler implementation is seen in Washington Township, Macomb County, Michigan at M-53 and 30 Mile Road. 42°46′21″N 83°00′33″W / 42.7726°N 83.0091°W
Lake Elmo, Minnesota has a superstreet intersection on MN 36 at Keats Avenue (45°02′08″N 92°54′14″W / 45.0356°N 92.9038°W).[citation needed]
In
In 2011,
In
Benefits
A study showed a 20 percent overall reduction in travel time compared to similar intersections that use conventional traffic designs; intersections experience an average of 46 percent fewer reported automobile collisions – and 63 percent fewer collisions that result in personal injury.[18]
This design also is promoted as part of the FHWA's
See also
References
- ^ Staff (October 2009). "Techbrief: Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection (FHWA-HRT-09-059)". Alternative Intersections/Interchanges: Information Report (AIIR) (FHWA-HRT-09-060). Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
- ^ Minnesota Department of Transportation, Reduced Conflict Intersections, accessed November 2014
- ^ Staff (March 8, 2016) [April 2010]. "Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection". Alternative Intersections/Interchanges: Informational Report (AIIR) (Technical report). Washington, D.C.: Federal Highway Administration. FHWA-HRT-09-060. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ "New Traffic Configuration at Crosstown & Floresta Dr". City of Port St. Lucie, Florida. August 5, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "Traffic Operations: Median U-Turns". Indiana Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ Taylor, Britney (June 29, 2016). "J-Turns At U.S. 231 Intersection To Open Near Dale, Indiana". Evansville, Indiana: WEVV-TV. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ^ Kenney, Andrew. "Traffic rolls onto new Holly Springs superstreet". News & Observer. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ "State Route 4 Bypass Widening". Butler County Transportation Improvement District. July 21, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Martin, Erik (June 15, 2017). "State agrees to fund 127/Kruckeberg intersection reconstruction". The Daily Advocate. Greenville, Ohio. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
- ^ "Feasibility Study: WYA-23 Intersection Improvements" (PDF). Ohio Department of Transportation. August 2021. PID 109362. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ New, Brian (March 11, 2010). "Super street construction on US 281 to begin on Monday". KENS. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- Alamo Regional Mobility Authority. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ "Loop 360 - Archive: Innovative Intersections: The Superstreet (RCUT)". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- Alamo Regional Mobility Authority. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ "Loop 1604 superstreet promises easier flow". KENS. September 15, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- KVUE-TV. February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ "Austin Tollway Regional Map". Central Texas Regional Mobility Aushority. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ PhysOrg: No left turn: 'Superstreet' traffic design improves travel time, safety
- ^ Schroeder, Bastian; Cunningham, Chris; Ray, Brian; Daleiden, Andy; Jenior, Pete; Knudsen, Julia (August 2014). Diverging Diamond Interchange Informational Guide (PDF). Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety.
External links
- Federal Highway Administration, Alternative Intersection Treatments - Super-street Median Crossover
- Federal Highway Administration, Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection Informational Guide
- North Carolina DOT - proposed superstreet in Chapel Hill (note: this project does not include the left turns from the main road)
- North Carolina State University, Institute for Transportation Research and Education - Operational superstreets in the United States
- Brunswick Beacon article Superstreet considered for U.S. 17
- Information on two superstreets in San Antonio, including detailed illustrations of the various traffic flows.
- FHWA: RCUT Case Study – Bypass 55 Corridor in Holly Springs (North Carolina), published July 31, 2014