Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges (2021) / Chapter Skim
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From page 117... ...
6-1 6.1 Introduction The Median U-turn (MUT) intersection refers to any intersection replacing direct left-turns at an intersection with indirect left-turns using a U-turn movement downstream of the intersection, typically within a wide median.
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From page 118... ...
6-2 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges Portions of the material in this chapter are derived from earlier work for FHWA (1) , updated to reflect the knowledge gained in this research.
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From page 119... ...
Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-3 and bicyclists.
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From page 120... ...
6-4 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges All else being equal, single-stage crossings are preferred so pedestrians are not unduly delayed and need not wait in the median between traffic streams. Single-stage crossings are also more common and thus are more likely to meet pedestrian expectations.
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From page 121... ...
Technique Advantages Disadvantages Increase cycle length • Allows pedestrian crossing to be completed within one cycle • Increases time for minor street, possibly well beyond what is needed to serve motor vehicle traffic. • May require considerably longer cycle length to cover full MUTCD requirements for pedestrian clearance time.
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From page 122... ...
6-6 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges 6.2.3.3 Left-Turn Movements Left-turning on-street bicyclists have three options for navigating an MUT intersection, as described below and illustrated in Exhibit 6-8 for left-turns on the major street and Exhibit 6-9 for left-turns on the minor street. These options are as follows: • Bicyclists making a two-stage left-turn: Bicyclists approach the intersection on the right and follow the vehicular signal indications.
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From page 123... ...
Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-7 When the green signal is received, the bicyclists complete the U-turn, crossing all lanes to the right side of the road, travel to the main intersection, and proceed through or turn right as necessary (just as a vehicle would)
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From page 124... ...
6-8 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges Crosswalks can be marked across all intersection legs, as at a conventional intersection. Pedestrians at an MUT intersection cross the major street during the minor street through and right-turn signal phase, when the only legally concurrent movement conflicts possible are with minor street right-turning vehicles or major street right-turning vehicles making an RTOR.
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From page 125... ...
Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-9 • The median at an MUT intersection can be wide, especially in retrofit applications where left-turn pockets are closed after the initial design.
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From page 126... ...
6-10 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges • Indirect paths (Section 4.4.5) : An MUT intersection typically provides four crossings at the main intersection, meaning that circuitous pedestrian routes are unnecessary.
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From page 127... ...
Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-11 • Bicycle through movements face potential "right hook" conflicts with vehicles turning right at the MUT intersection.
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6-12 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges 6.3.4 Other Safety Concerns Besides the preceding discussion of key pedestrian and bicycle safety concerns, there are other general benefits and concerns presented by MUT intersections. Design flags that are more universal and not unique to MUTs include the following: • Intersection Driveways and Side Streets (Section 4.4.11)
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From page 129... ...
Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-13 and provides an example for carrying existing bike lanes through an MUT; consult Sections 3.1 and 3.3 to consider intended bicycle design users and guidance for matching a bicycle facility to speed and volume conditions.
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6-14 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges Turning Motorists Crossing Bicycle Path (Section 4.4.18) Turning motorists cross the bike lane in this design with developing the major street right-turn lanes.
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Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-15 • Indirect Paths design flag: For bicyclists, the design includes separated-street bike lanes with the ability to complete left-turns in two stages using the bike lane.
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6-16 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges people biking, including less confident bicyclists. This design may be appropriate where an MUT intersection was tying into an existing roadway without bicycle facilities through bicycle ramps before and after the intersection.
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From page 133... ...
Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-17 required between partner agencies in determining who maintains access through the islands during snow events.
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6-18 Guide for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges 6.5 Detailed Design Techniques The design flag procedure and corresponding flags are outlined in Chapter 4, and generalized design techniques common to many intersection forms are discussed in Chapter 5. Discussion in this section is limited to unique characteristics or design aspects to assist in addressing potential flags in an MUT intersection.
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From page 135... ...
Median U-Turn (MUT) Intersections 6-19 • They may provide more motorist capacity than is needed to serve expected demand; • If bicyclists are served by on-street bike lanes, the two right-turn lanes create substantial conflicts at the point where the right-turn lanes are developed; and • The right-turn lanes may require additional right-of-way.
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