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Free right-turn (FRT) lanes are turning roadways at intersections that provide for free-flowing right-turn movements. The objective of the research presented in this report was to develop guidelines for FRT lanes at unsignalized intersections on rural two-lane highways in Nebraska. The development of the guidelines was based on a benefit-cost analysis, which determined the right-turn volumes required to justify the construction and maintenance of FRT lanes at these locations. The research involved the evaluation of the operational and safety effects of FRT lanes. The operational effects of FRT lanes were analyzed using kinematic and traffic flow models. Accident data analysis, field studies, and computer simulation of truck dynamics were used to evaluate the safety effects of FRT lanes. The results of these analyses were also used to determine acceptable design criteria for FRT lanes. A survey of other state agencies was conducted to identify any existing guidelines, design criteria, and experience that might be useful in developing the guidelines and evaluating the design criteria. Also, the concerns of citizens opposed to the removal of FRT lanes were examined in an effort to develop guidelines that might effectively address these concerns. The results of the research indicate that design-year right-turn AADTs ranging from 440 to 825 vehicles per day, depending on the percentage of trucks, are required to warrant a FRT lane at an unsignalized intersection of rural two-lane highways. A design speed of 40 mph was found to be a realistic design speed and the most cost-effective design speed for FRT lanes. However, design speeds up to 55 mph do not significantly reduce the cost effectiveness of a FRT lane. The AASHTO design criteria for curves on open highways were found to be appropriate for designing the curvature of FRT lanes. The AASHTO criteria for minimum-radii intersection curves were not acceptable. Also, acceleration lanes were found to improve the safety of the merging operations associated with FRT lanes. The results of the accident data analysis do not support the perceptions of concerned citizens regarding the safety benefits of FRT lanes. FRT lanes were not found to affect the frequency, severity, or types of accidents that occur at unsignalized intersections on rural two-lane highways. Thus, FRT lanes should not be perceived, or promoted, as traffic safety improvements. The benefits of FRT lanes are limited to improving the efficiency of right-turn movements.
TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 672: Roundabouts: An Informational Guide - Second Edition explores the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of roundabouts. The report also addresses issues that may be useful in helping to explain the trade-offs associated with roundabouts. This report updates the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, based on experience gained in the United States since that guide was published in 2000.
Right-turn lanes provide space for the deceleration and storage of right-turn vehicles, and separate turning vehicles from through movements. Dual right-turn lanes are increasingly used at urban intersections primarily for two reasons: (1) to accommodate high right-turn demands and avoid turn-pocket overflows, and/or (2) to prevent right-turn vehicles that exit from a nearby upstream freeway off-ramp (on the left of the roadway) from abruptly changing too many lanes toward the right-turn lane at the intersection. In addition, a number of other factors may affect the decisions on the installation of dual right-turn lanes. However, warrants for dual right lane installation are almost non-existent, leaving traffic engineers to rely on engineering judgment. This research aims to develop warrants for installation of dual right-turn lanes at signalized intersections. Both the operational and safety benefits/costs were analyzed by surveying traffic engineers and by conducting traffic simulation-based analysis. Microscopic traffic simulation model, VISSIM, was used to quantify the operation benefits and Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) developed by Siemens was used to analyze the safety gains due to installation of dual right-turn lanes.
The goal of this project was to analyze geometric, speed, volume, and crash data for a broad range of conditions with the ultimate objective of establishing bases for warrants for right-turn lanes on two-lane roads where major approach did not have any controls. Right-turn lane guidelines for this contest is not clear and convincing. Safety effectiveness and savings were estimated using extensive data examination and analysis of crash data, several statistical models that were developed using crash data, and a conflict model, which was developed using field data. It was found that not all accidents are eliminated with use of right-turn lane. However, right-turn lanes were effective in improving safety. More interesting was the finding that safety effectiveness of right-turn lanes was more at driveways than at intersections. Operational effectiveness was estimated using a delay model and a fuel consumption model, which were developed using field data, simulation software (CORSIM®), and statistical software, Minitab®. The volume thresholds that varied with changes in right-turn lane cost and fuel cost were provided as alternative scenarios for warrants. The warrants established here will be helpful in decision-making regarding whether to implement a right-turn lane or not on two-lane roads.