Incorrect U-turning of vehicles at intersections with traffic lights

Tomasz Krukowicz; Krzysztof Firląg; Ewelina Sterniczuk

doi:10.5604/01.3001.0014.8043

Authors

Tomasz Krukowicz Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Transport, Warsaw Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5461-4396
Krzysztof Firląg Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Transport, Warsaw Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0563-0840
Ewelina Sterniczuk Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Transport, Warsaw Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.8043

Keywords:

road safety, U-turning of vehicles, turning back, traffic signals, intersections

Abstract

The article describes the problem of incorrect U-turns at intersections with traffic lights. Statistical data on road incidents related to U-turns are presented. Then, the international, Polish and foreign regulations concerning u-turning at intersections with traffic lights were analysed. The situations in which U-turns are allowed or prohibited are presented. The differences in design rules for junctions with U-turns in different countries have been taken into account. A literature review was also carried out that outlined various current U-turns around the world, including the design of turning places, the location of turning points, road safety when turning, and the impact of U-turns on traffic conditions. The further part of the article presents the results of field tests of the U-turn at 6 intersections located in Warsaw. The research was conducted by video observation. The results were broken down by age, gender, place of registration of the vehicle, type of vehicle, and the effect of incorrect turning. Data on road incidents at the examined intersections were also analysed. Data from the database kept by the Police were compared with the measurement data. A regression analysis was performed between the types of recorded incorrect manoeuvres and the number of accidents at the intersection. The results of statistical analysis carried out do not indicate the existence of a relationship between the number of identified incorrect U-turns and the number of road incidents at intersections. Based on the research, it was found that the phenomenon of incorrect U-turns at intersections with traffic lights is common, and the use of directional (protected) signals does not eliminate this phenomenon. The conclusions indicate practical solutions to reduce the number of illegally U-turning vehicles. The recommended actions are related to the stage of shaping the road network, designing the road geometry and organizing traffic and traffic lights, and auditing road safety, as well as the stage of road operation.

References

Abuhijleh, A., Dias, C., Alhajyaseen, W., & Muley, D., (2020). Effect of U-Turns and Heavy Vehicles on the Saturation Flow Rates of Left-Turn Lanes at Signalized Intersections. Sustainability, 12(11), 4485. DOI: 10.3390/su12114485.

Azizi, L., & Sheikholeslami, A., (2013). Safety Effect of U-Turn Conversions in Tehran: Empirical Bayes Observational Before-and-After Study and Crash Prediction Models. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 139, 101-108. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000469.

Bared, J., & Kaisar, E., (2002). Median U-Turn Design As An Alternative Treatment For Left Turns At Signalized Intersections. ITE Journal (Institute of Transportation Engineers), 72, 50-54.

Ben-Edigbe J., (2016). Estimation of Midblock Median Opening U-Turn Roadway Capacity Based on Sectioning Method. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, vol. 2016, 6 pages, DOI: 10.1155/2016/8293240.

Cieśla, K., Krukowicz, T., & Firląg, K., (2018). Analysis of cyclists’ behaviour on different infrastructure elements. MATEC Web of Conferences 231, 03001. DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/201823103001.

Cieśla, M., Sobota, A., & Jacyna, M., (2020). Multi-Criteria Decision Making Process in Metropolitan Transport Means Selection Based on the Sharing Mobility Idea, Sustainability, 12(17), 7231. DOI: 10.3390/su12177231.

CoRSaS (1968). Convention on road signs and signals done at Vienna on 8 November 1968, (1968). Dz. U. z 1988 r. Nr 5, poz. 42 z późn. zm.

CoRT, (1968). Convention on road traffic done at Vienna on 8 November 1968, Dz. U. z 1988 r. Nr 5, poz. 40 z późn. zm.

Directive (EU) 2019/1936 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 amending Directive 2008/96/EC on road infrastructure safety management, (2019). PE/69/2019/REV/2.

Distefano, N., & Leonardi S., (2016). U-Turn Lanes In Narrow-Width Median Openings: Design Criteria For A Safe And Efficient Project. Archives of Civil Engineering, 62, 3, DOI: 10.1515/ace-2015-0081.

Fan, H. Q., Jia, B., Li, X. G., Tian, J. F., & Yan, X. D. (2013). Characteristics of Traffic Flow at Nonsignalized T-Shaped Intersection with U-Turn Movements. The Scientific World Journal, 7 pages, DOI: 10.1155/2013/856416.

FHWA, U.S. Department of Transportation, (2007). Synthesis of the Median U-Turn Intersection Treatment, Safety, and Operational Benefits, Publication No. FHWA-HRT-07-033, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/07033/, 28.10.2020.

FHWA, U.S. Department of Transportation, (2009). Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection, Report No. FHWA-HRT-09-059, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09059/, 28.10.2020.

FHWA, U.S. Department of Transportation, (2014). Restricted Crossing U-turn Intersection. Informational Guide, Report No. FHWA-SA-14-070, https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/alter_design/pdf/fhwasa14070_rcut_infoguide.pdf, 28.10.2020.

Fuller, R., & Santos J. A., (2002). Human Factors for Highway Engineers, Pergamon, Amsterdam.

Hadi A., M., Aruldhas J., Chow L., & Wattlevorth J., (1995). Estimating Safety Effects of Cross-Section Design for Various Highway Types Using Negative Binomial Regression. Transportation Research Record, 1500, 169-177.

Juhász, M., Mátrai, T., & Koren, C., (2017). Forecasting travel time reliability in urban road transport, Archives of Transport, 43 (3), 53-67. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.4227.

Khaled, H., & Abuhamda, H., (2017). Deter-mining U-turn adjustment factor for signalized intersections in Doha, Qatar. MATEC Web of Conferences, 120, 07008, DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/201712007008.

Kronprasert, N., (2020). Safety and operational analysis for median U-turn intersections in Thailand. International Journal of GEOMATE, 18, 68, 156-163, DOI: 10.21660/2020.68.9250.

Lin, X., & Xu, J., (2020). Feedforward feed-back iterative learning control method for the multilayer boundaries of oversaturated inter-sections based on the macroscopic fundamental diagram, Archives of Transport, 53 (1), 67-87. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.1745.

Long, J., D., & Teetor, P., (2019). R Cookbook, O'Reilly Media, Inc., ISBN: 9781492040682.

Mazaheri, A., Akbarzadeh, A., Rahimi, A., M., & Akbarzadeh, M., (2020). Estimation of criti-cal gap of U-turns at uncontrolled median openings considering Iran’s driver behavior. Transportation Letters, 1-13, DOI: 10.1080/19427867.2020.1805680.

MI, (2002). Rozporządzenie Ministrów Infrastruktury oraz Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 31 lipca 2002 r. w sprawie znaków i sygnałów drogowych, (2002). Dz. U. z 2019 r. poz. 2310, Warszawa.

MI, (2003). Rozporządzenie Ministra Infrastruktury z dnia 3 lipca 2003 r. w sprawie szczegółowych warunków technicznych dla znaków i sygnałów drogowych oraz urządzeń bezpieczeństwa ruchu drogowego i warunków ich umieszczania na drogach, (2003). T.j. Dz. U. z 2019 r. poz. 2311, Warszawa.

MI, (2015). Rozporządzenie Ministra Infrastruktury i Rozwoju zmieniające rozporządzenie w sprawie szczegółowych warunków technicznych dla znaków i sygnałów drogowych oraz urządzeń bezpieczeństwa ruchu drogowego i warunków ich umieszczania na drogach, (2015). Dz. U. poz. 1314 z 2015, Warszawa.

Muslim, N., H., B., Shafaghat, A., Keyvanfar, A., & Ismail, M., (2018). Green Driver: driving behaviors revisited on safety, Archives of Transport, 47 (3), 49-78. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0012.6507.

NII Avtomobil'nogo Transporta, (2017). Metodicheskie Rekomendacii Organizacija Dorozhnogo Dvizhenija na Reguliruemyh Peresechenijah, Zamestitel Mininsta Transporta Rossijskoj Federacii, Moskva. [НИИ автомобильного транспорта, (2017). Методические Рекомендации Организация Дорожного Движения На Регулируемых Пересечениях, Заместител Мининста Транспорта Российской Федерации, Москва.] https://pdf.standartgost.ru/cata-log/Data2/1/4293734/4293734706.pdf, 20.12.2020.

Olarte, R., Bared, J., Sutherland, L., & Asokan, A., (2011). Density Models and Safety Analysis for Rural Unsignalised Restricted Crossing U-turn Intersections. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 16, 718-728, DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.04.491.

Podręcznik audytu BRD, (2019). Załącznik 4 do Zarządzenia nr 13 Generalnego Dyrektora Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad z dnia 27.05.2019 r. w sprawie przeprowadzania oceny wpływu planowanej drogi na bezpieczeństwo ruchu drogowego i audytu bezpieczeństwa ruchu drogowego, GDDKiA, Warszawa.

Richtlinien für Lichtsignalanlagen RiLSA – Lichtzeichenanlagen für den Straßenverkehr, (2015). FGSV, Köln.

Rudyk, T., Szczepański, E., & Jacyna, M., (2019). Safety factor in the sustainable fleet management model, Archives of Transport, 49 (1), 103-114. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.2780.

Sathiyaraj, R., & Bharathi, A. (2020). An efficient intelligent traffic light control and deviation system for traffic congestion avoidance using multi-agent system. Transport, 35(3), 327-335. DOI: 10.3846/transport.2019.11115

Sejm RP, (2012). Ustawa Prawo o ruchu drogowym, Dz. U. poz. 1137 z 2012 r. z późniejszymi zmianami, Warszawa.

Sobota, A., Karoń, G., Żochowska, R., & Kłos, M. J., (2018). Methodology for research on traffic safety at signalized intersections with count-down timers, Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology, Series Transport, 100, 191-201. DOI: 10.20858/sjsutst.2018.100.16.

System Ewidencji Wypadków i Kolizji, SEWiK, (2020). http://sewik.pl/, 05.04.2020.

Szczuraszek, T., Chmielewski, J., Stanek, M., Kempa, J., & Bebyn G., (2008). Bezpieczeństwo ruchu miejskiego, Wydawnictwo Komunikacji i Łączności, Warszawa.

Thakur, S., & Biswas, S., (2019). Assessment of pedestrian-vehicle interaction on urban roads: a critical review, Archives of Transport, 51 (3), 49-63. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.6162.

Ulak, M., Ozguven, E., Karabağ, H.,Ghorban-zadeh, M., Moses, R., & Dulebenets, M., (2020). Development of Safety Performance Functions for Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersections. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 146, 1-17, DOI: 10.1061/JTEPBS.0000346.

Vägar och gators utformning Trafiksignaler, (2012). Trafikverket, Stockholm, ISBN: 978-91-7467-383-8,

Wojtal, R. M., & Rilett, L. R., (2017). Development of a statistically-based methodology for analyzing automatic safety treatments at isolated high-speed signalized intersections, Archives of Transport, 44 (4), 75-88. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.6163.

Yao, R., Zhang, W., & Long, M. (2020). Modelling and sensitivity analysis of uncoordinated paired intersections with left-turn bays. Transport, 35(3), 283-299. DOI: 10.3846/transport.2020.12271

Zhao, H., He, R., & Su, J., (2018). Multi-objective optimization of traffic signal timing using non-dominated sorting artificial bee colony algorithm for unsaturated intersections, Archives of Transport, 46 (2), 85-96. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0012.2109.

Żukowska, J., (2015). Regional implementation of a road safety observatory in Poland, Archives of Transport, 36 (4), 77-85. DOI: 10.5604/0869546.1185212.