Abstract
Field observations illustrated that, right-turn vehicles stopped at various positions when proceeding within the right-turn lanes, while some of them trespassed on the crosswalks with multiple stops. In this case, pedestrians and bikes (ped/bike) are encountered unsmooth and hazardous crossings when right-turn vehicles encroaching their lanes. Meanwhile, this also causes conflicts between right-turn and through vehicles at the crossing street. To better protect ped/bike at crossings with right-turn vehicles, this paper proposes a concept of “right-turn vehicle box” (RTVB) as a supplemental treatment within right-turn lanes. Sight distance, geometric conditions, and behaviors of vehicles and ped/bike are key factors to consider so as to set up the criteria and to design the suitable treatment. A case study was conducted at an intersection pair in Houston, USA to shape the idea of RTVB, together with driving simulator tests under relevant scenarios. The preliminary crosscheck examination shows that the right-turn vehicle box could possibly provide ped/ bike with smoother and safer crossings. In the interim, the safety and efficiency of right-turn operations were also improved. To further validate the effects, implementation studies should be conducted before the RTVB can make its debut in practice. Future works will focus on the complete warrants and design details of this treatment. Moreover, the concept of “vehicle box” could also be transplanted to other places where turning movement(s) needs assistance or improvements.
Highlights
The safety at intersections is a big concern in urban traffic operations
In order to eliminate the conflicts between pedestrians and bicycles, and motor vehicle conflicts and to improve the safety as well as the efficiency of the entire intersection operation, tremendous efforts have been proposed on many elements related to the design and management of intersection, such as the configurations for left-turn (e.g. [4]), signal timing (e.g. [5] [6]), proximate driveway placement (e.g. [7] [8]), advanced devices (e.g. [9])
Since late 1970s, a Right-Turn-On-Red (RTOR) policy was adopted by the United States to permit right-turn movements in the condition that the driver had stopped and there was no specific prohibition by any traffic sign [12]
Summary
During 2012, The United States lost 33,561 people in crashes on roadways, while 8766 were at intersections [1]. This includes 4743 pedestrians and 726 cyclists killed at intersections [2] [3]. In order to eliminate the conflicts between pedestrians and bicycles (ped/bike), and motor vehicle conflicts and to improve the safety as well as the efficiency of the entire intersection operation, tremendous efforts have been proposed on many elements related to the design and management of intersection, such as the configurations for left-turn The RTOR policy could increase the frequency of right-turning crashes, especially the ones involving ped/bike [12]. There are several methods to restrict the use of RTOR in order to promote safety, e.g. placing traffic signs prohibiting RTOR during specified hours and when pedestrians are present [13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
