Designing Channelized Right-Turn Lanes to Increase Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

The use of channelized right-turn (CRT) lanes at intersections can improve driver safety and traffic mobility but can be challenging for bicyclists and pedestrians, particularly those with sight or other impairments. This project examines the current practice of CRTs to identify design solutions and mitigation strategies to better accommodate the safety and accessibility needs of all road users.

CRTs are often placed at intersections to separate right turns from a traffic signal or to avoid excess pavement when roadways meet at a skew. As drivers traverse the channelized turn, they may be focused on finding gaps in traffic instead of watching for bicyclists or pedestrians. An indirect crossing path and the lack of a signal to cross the right-turn movement can be challenging for pedestrians and bicyclists. Users with sight limitations may avoid CRT crossings altogether. While research has evaluated the safety of CRTs, there is a need for further research, especially with respect to the impact of CRTs on pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

This project conducted an extensive review of the current design and use of CRTs to develop guidance and best practices for future implementation, specifically considering the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians with sight or other impairments. This guidance will serve as a valuable resource to state and local traffic engineers as they design walkable communities that enhance equity, quality of life and economic efficiency.

What Did We Do?

Investigators sought to develop recommendations and best practices that would increase CRT safety and accessibility for bicyclists and pedestrians, particularly those with sight or other impairments.

“This project thoroughly examined the many design and traffic control options for CRTs, especially the benefits and challenges that these features create for different types of vulnerable road users,” said Joe Gustafson, traffic engineer, Washington County Public Works.

This project began with a comprehensive literature review to identify key design and traffic control strategies for CRTs and their effect on road users. Then a state-of-the-practice survey was distributed to state and local transportation agencies to review policies throughout the nation and in Minnesota.

Focus groups were also conducted with vulnerable road users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, people with disabilities and advocates, who provided feedback related to the use and challenges of CRTs.

What Was the Result?

Analyses of the collected materials and guidance, along with the input received from the focus groups, identified four areas of opportunity to implement strategies for improving the safety and accessibility of CRTs for vulnerable roads users:

Installation criteria for CRTs based on the type of project scenario, such as new projects, reconstruction projects and safety projects. For example, agencies designing new projects may want to avoid using CRTs if high bicycle and pedestrian traffic is expected.
Further, agencies designing reconstruction projects may consider altering the CRT dimensions and implementing site-specific mitigation strategies.
Traffic control recommendations. For example, although yield signs are often installed at CRTs, the yield sign may not be adequate in all CRT scenarios. Other less common strategies such as stop signs, active beacons or signalization may be considered.
Design feature recommendations. For example, decreasing the turn radius or modifying the downstream turn angle can result in improved sight lines and lower turning speeds. Higher vehicle speeds through the turn create more challenges for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Further, placing the crosswalk in the most advantageous location within the CRT could increase safety for vulnerable road users.
Mitigation strategies. For example, using raised crosswalks can help control speeds and improves the visibility of the crosswalk. Additional recommendations and best practices included increasing the presence of signage that directs drivers to yield to or stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.

What’s Next?

This project provided valuable guidance for designing and constructing CRTs to increase safety and accessibility for vulnerable road users. MnDOT will distribute the collected information, recommendations and best practices to state and local traffic engineers in Minnesota to use for future design and implementation of CRTs.