Feasibility Analysis of Median U-turn Intersection Treatments On Wisconsin's Busiest Arterial Highway

摘要

The "Michigan Left", or Median U-Turn Intersection Treatment (MUTIT), is an alternative intersection treatment that involves the relocates left turn movements from signalized intersections. This paper presents a recent study to assess the implementation feasibility of MUTIT intersection design at 19 traffic signal controlled intersections along USH 18 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Intersection capacity analysis under MUTIT configuration was conducted using SYNCHRO 7.0 and compared to existing operations. Microscopic simulation using SimTraffic was conducted to determine potential level of service operation of un-signalized MUTIT U-turn movements. Feasibility criteria included adjacent access conflicts, queuing, and safety considerations.rnThe analysis identified only 10 intersections feasible for MUTIT configuration, with several potential benefits and issues regarding the implementation and operation of this intersection control strategy along USH 18. The potential benefits identified were: improvements in intersection level of service (LOS) for most movements on USH 18, improvement in corridor travel time, and potential reduction in crashes. The issues identified were: inconsistency of intersection control and U-Turn traffic control, and need for loons or bulb-outs to address the turning paths of large vehicles and subsequent conflicts with bicycle lanes or sidewalks.