Making signalized intersections safer for pedestrians can be achieved by reducing points of conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. One source of conflict occurs when a vehicle makes a right turn on red (RTOR) onto a street in which pedestrians are crossing. During this turn, the driver must cross the path of pedestrians while at the same time searching for gaps in conflicting vehicle flow.

One option to increase pedestrian safety is the dynamic blank-out no right turn on red (NRTOR) sign. It provides an illuminated no turn on red display when RTOR should not be allowed. The sign can be deactivated when it is not needed, such as when there are no pedestrians present. Because the dynamic NRTOR sign is conspicuous, this treatment may increase driver compliance when pedestrians are present compared to a static sign, and it may increase efficiency by allowing drivers to execute RTOR movement at other times.

At present, there is little guidance regarding the use of blank out NRTOR signs and only a few studies of their potential effect.

“Static no right turn on red signs have traditionally had a low level of compliance. This project will help us determine where the installation of the static signs may be beneficial, along with looking at the use of a blank-out sign to encourage no right turn on red when it is determined to be a safety benefit for pedestrians and vehicles,” said Susan Zarling, MnDOT state signal and lighting engineer.

Objectives

In a new study, researchers will collect data to develop a comparison of static and dynamic NRTOR usage with a goal of improving the decision-making process for determining which type of sign to use to make intersections safer for pedestrians and more efficient for right turning vehicles.

The objectives include:

• Better understand the compliance rates of static and dynamic NRTOR signs
• Better understand the maintenance requirements of dynamic NRTOR signs
• Develop recommendations for placement of dynamic NRTOR signs in consideration of their effectiveness in improving safety and efficiency and their maintenance needs

Project Details

• Estimated Start Date: 09/21/2022
• Estimated Completion Date: 06/30/2024
• Funding: Local Road Research Board and MnDOT
• Principal Investigator: Christopher Day
• Co-Principal Investigators: Anuj Sharma, Yuhan Zang
• Technical Liaison: Susan Zarling

Details of the research study work plan and timeline are subject to change.

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