Reduced-Conflict Intersection

Abstract

The selection of the appropriate geometry and traffic control for intersections on high-speed arterial highways often requires balancing increased highway user costs with attempts to control construction costs. Providing a safe design that is cost-effective is always a primary consideration in deciding on a solution. Another issue is that one form of intersection and traffic control may be optimal during peak traffic times on an average day but may not have sufficient capacity for extreme peak times such as those for events or on recreational routes. Alternatively, those same controls can cause needless delay when traffic is lighter. Examples include traffic signals that operate 24 h/day and roundabouts that require all traffic to slow dramatically, regardless of the amount of conflicting traffic. This study presents a group of new alternative intersection designs designated as reduced-conflict intersections. This study describes those designs and their associated traffic control, which consists of a demand-based traffic signal system. This study then presents the results of a comparative analysis of this new type of intersection along with other designs, including a conventional intersection with signal control, two forms of roundabouts, and the super street intersection. The results of the study show that the reduced-conflict intersection may be an effective addition to the toolbox of intersection designs.