Roundabouts and J-turns have consistently shown significant improvements in safety and traffic flow in Minnesota and across the U.S. Still, some community residents and businesses oppose replacing traditional intersections with alternative intersections like roundabouts or J-turns.
Continue reading New Project: Roundabouts, J-Turns, etc. – Understanding Their Economic ImpactsCategory Archives: Traffic and Safety
New Smartphone App Uses GPS Technology to Warn Drivers of Lane Departures
Preventing vehicles from drifting out of traffic lanes is a top safety priority for transportation officials. An ongoing research project has produced a smartphone app that alerts drivers when their vehicles drift from a lane. The current phase of the project improved upon earlier versions of the app by adding GPS and significantly increasing the effectiveness of lane departure detection.
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.
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New Project: User Understanding of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Operation
Pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs) are one tool to help pedestrians safely cross roads. PHBs provide red-signal control for vehicular traffic when needed at lower installation costs and reduced traffic delays than full traffic signals.
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Safety Considerations Associated with Driverless Shuttles
Driverless vehicles present an enticing opportunity for increased traffic safety and reduced labor costs. However, technical issues and concerns remain regarding the interaction between driverless vehicles and human drivers. This project included observing and analyzing the interactions of a driverless shuttle and other road users in a pedestrian-heavy area to develop strategies for decreasing potential threats. Increasing the speed of the driverless shuttle and displaying clearer electronic messaging on the back of the shuttle could improve safety challenges.
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Administrative Rules and Structures of Speed Safety Camera Systems
Speed Safety Cameras (SSCs) detect the speed of vehicles through the use of radar technology or detectors that are embedded in the surface of the roadway, and associate those readings with a photograph or video of the vehicle. They can be deployed as fixed units (a stationary camera targeting a specific location), point-to-point units (multiple cameras that capture average speed over a set distance) or mobile (a portable camera positioned in a trailer or vehicle). The results are then “read” by trained analysts in a data center, who may or may not be members of law enforcement. Speeding tickets are then issued on the basis of this technology. The question facing the Minnesota Legislature in 2024 was, is this needed? And what are the best practices for implementing it?
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New Project: Speed Impacts from Roundabouts and Other Traffic Control Devices
Roundabouts are effective at reducing driver speeds and lowering serious crash rates compared to other intersection types. Speeds vary in roundabouts, however, depending on geometric factors such as the number of lanes, entry and exit widths, and diameter. The use of supplementary control devices such as sign types, sign placement and pavement markings may also impact entry and exit speeds.
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New Project: Effect of Centerlines on Prevailing Traffic Speeds of Low-Speed, Two-Lane, Two-Way Roads in Urban Contexts
Vehicle speed has a substantial influence on both the likelihood and severity of crashes involving nonmotorized road users. Reducing speeds on urban streets, in particular, enhances safety for the greatest number of vulnerable road users.
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Guidelines for Implementing Mini-Roundabouts
Increasingly, roundabouts are the solution of choice for many intersections because they improve safety and traffic flow and reduce pollution due to less vehicle delays. Traditional roundabout design typically requires a larger footprint than a conventional four-way intersection.
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New Project: Rural Intersection Enhancement and Driver Behavior Study
The risk of severe crashes increases when minor roads intersect with higher-speed roads in rural areas. MnDOT and county traffic engineers strive to find creative solutions that will prompt drivers to make safe decisions when navigating through intersections.
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Crossroads 