Driver Perceptions at Free Right-Turn Channelized Intersections

Free right-turn channels are sometimes used to alleviate vehicle delay at signalized intersections, but motorists often yield unnecessarily when using these channels. To better understand why motorists do not proceed when they have an available path, the authors conducted a national survey. Approximately one thousand survey participants viewed flashcards of intersection treatments and were asked to identify the proper driving behavior from a list of multiple choices. The answers to the questions were compared in Chi-squared cross tabulation analysis. The results showed that statistically significant proportions of people incorrectly indicate that right-turn behavior is similar at standard right-turn pockets or lanes, yield right-turn channels, and free right-turn channels. Men and women were also noted to have statistically different responses. The survey results further indicate that motorists may not distinguish between intersection treatments, prompting better signage and motorist education or the revision of right-turn delay models for different intersection types.