Estimation of Design Lengths of Left-Turn Lanes
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 3
Abstract
This study is to evaluate the simulation-based and analytical-based methods for determining the left-turn lane queue storage length and deceleration length. Four traffic models were selected to estimate left-turn queue length, including analytical-based models [i.e., Highway Capacity Software (HCS+) and Synchro] and simulation-based models (i.e., SimTraffic and VISSIM). Recommendations were given on the basis of the accuracy levels and the costs of these models in terms of time. A simulation-based method for determining the required deceleration length was developed by using VISSIM. The results from this method were compared with different agencies’ guidelines, which were developed by analytical-based methods. A procedure is recommended in this paper for estimating the total left-turn length on the basis of the estimated queue storage length and the deceleration length.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
AASHTO. (2001). A policy on geometric design of highways and streets, Washington, DC.
Bloomberg, L., and Dale, J. (2000). “A comparison of the VISSIM and CORSIM traffic simulation models on a congested network.” Transportation Research Record 1727, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, 52–60.
Boxill, S., and Yu, L. (2000). “An evaluation of traffic simulation models for supporting ITS development.” Research Rep. for the SWUTC-00-167602-1, Center for Transportation Training and Research (CTTR), Texas Southern Univ, Houston.
Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT). (2006). Median handbook: Interim version, Tallahassee, FL.
Highway Capacity Software (HCS+) 5.1 [Computer software]. McTrans, Gainesville, FL.
Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Program. (2006). “Section I, Statewide Urban Design and Specifications.” Chapter 6, Institute of Transportation, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA.
Kikuchi, S., Chakroborty, P., and Vukadinovic, K. (1993). “Length of left-turn lanes at signalized intersections.” Transportation Research Record 1385, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
Mohle, R. H. (2000). “Is it time to switch to simulation?” 〈www.trafficware.com/assets/pdfs/Time_for_Simulation.pdf〉 (Jul. 27, 2008).
Neuman, T. R. (1985). “Intersection channelization design guide.” NCHRP Report 279, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
Oppenlander, J. C., and Oppenlander, J. E. (1989). “Design lengths of left- or right-turn lanes with separate signal phases.” ITE J., 59(7), 23–26.
Oppenlander, J. C., and Oppenlander, J. E. (1996). “Complete tables for storage requirements for signalized intersection approaches.” Supplement to ITE J., Institute of Transportation Engineers, Washington, DC.
Oppenlander, J. C., and Oppenlander, J. E. (1999). “Simulation of left-turn storage lengths without separate signal phase.” Transportation Frontiers for the Next Millennium: 69th Annual Meeting of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Las Vegas, NV.
PTV Planning Transport Verkehr AG. (2007). VISSIM 4.20 user’s manual, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Qi, Y., Yu, L., Azimi, M., and Guo, L. (2007). “Determination of storage lengths of left-turn lanes at signalized intersections.” Transportation Research Record 2023, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, 102–111.
SimTraffic 6.0 [Computer software]. Trafficware, Sugar Land, TX.
Skabardonis, A., and Dowling, R. (1997). “Improved speed-flow relationships for planning applications.” Transportation Research Record 1572, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, 18–23.
Synchro 6.0 [Computer software]. Trafficware, Sugar Land, TX.
Texas Dept. of Transportation (TxDOT). (2006). Roadway design manual, Austin, TX.
Trafficware. (1995). Synchro plus SimTraffic 6: User guide, Sugar Land, TX.
Transportation Research Board. (2000). Highway capacity manual: U.S. customary version, Washington, DC.
Transportation Research Institute. (1996). “Left-turn bays.” Discussion Paper No. 10, Prepared for the Oregon Dept. of Transportation, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR.
VISSIM 4.20 [Computer software]. PTV Planning Transport Verkehr AG, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Yekhshatyan, L., and Schnell, T. (2008). “Turn lane lengths for various speed roads and evaluation of determining criteria.” Report No. MN/RC 2008-14, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation, St. Paul, MN.
Yu, L., Qi, Y., Azimi, M., Guo, L., and Guo, C. (2007). “Left-turn lane design and operation.” Report No. TxDOT 0-5290-1, Texas Dept. of Transportation, Austin, TX.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 138 • Issue 3 • March 2012
Pages: 274 - 283
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 15, 2009
Accepted: May 18, 2011
Published online: May 20, 2011
Published in print: Mar 1, 2012
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.