http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov

Sources 1 Federal Highway Administration, “Safety at Signalized 

Intersections (Long Version).” Available at: http://safety.

fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/signalized/presentations/sign_int_

pps051508/short/index.cfm 

2 Taylor, W.C., I. Lim, and D.R. Lighthizer, “Effect on Crashes After 

Construction of Directional Median Crossovers,” Transportation 

Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 

1758 (2001).

3 Savage, W.F., “Directional Median Crossovers,” Journal of Traffic 

Engineering, 44(11) (1974).

An innovative, proven 

solution for improving 

safety and mobility at

intersections CONTACT

Jeffrey Shaw, P.E.

FHWA Office of Safety

708-283-3524

jeffrey.shaw@dot.gov

Mark Doctor, P.E.

FHWA Resource Center

404-562-3732

Cyclist Lane Near an MUT Intersection, East Lansing, MI mark.doctor@dot.gov Source: MUT Video FHWA-SA-14-018

FHWA-SA-14-042

Median U-Turn

Intersection

Clinton Township, MI MUT IntersectionSource: MUT Video FHWA-SA-14-018

Meeting All

Road Users’ Needs

MUTs can accommodate the needs of all roadway 

users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit, 

and commercial vehicles. Relocating the left turns 

reduces the number and complexity of conflicts 

between traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Instead 

of being used for left turn lanes, the median can 

be designed as a pedestrian refuge area, allowing 

people to cross the intersection in two shorter 

stages. The reduced congestion associated with 

operational improvements can make bicycle 

facilities easier to install since additional lanes are 

not needed.

Greater efficiency also translates to fewer stops 

and less delay, making Median U-Turn corridors 

more reliable for transit and freight customers. 

And most importantly, the safety improvements 

mean emergency responders will spend less 

time responding to incidents at the intersection, 

even while they are able to travel through the 

intersection more easily. 

Bus Traveling an MUT Intersection, East Lansing, MI

Source: MUT Video FHWA-SA-14-018

Pedestrian Crossing at an MUT Intersection, Birmingham, MI

Source: MUT Video FHWA-SA-14-018
shown a 20 to 50 percent improvement in intersection 

throughput for various lane configurations as a result 

of implementing the MUT design.3

A Proven Solution 

The Median U-Turn concept is very adaptable. 

It is not limited only to roadways with wide 

medians. When constructed with narrow or no 

medians, paved bump-outs or “loons” are added 

to accommodate the U-turns. The Median U-Turn 

works well as a corridor treatment, but also has 

been applied successfully at single intersections. 

Partial MUTs also can be implemented where direct 

left turns are permitted from the minor road.

Without the need for left turn lanes at the main 

intersection, MUT designs can fit in smaller rightsof-way, resulting in fewer impacts to adjacent 

properties. This can make them less costly and 

quicker to build than a conventional design. Median 

U-Turns have been successfully built in many states, 

and have been used in Michigan for more than four 

decades, going back to the 1960s.

Improving Safety

Left turn crashes account for over 20 percent of 

fatal crashes at signalized intersections,1

 and the 

MUT design addresses this safety concern. By 

eliminating the direct left turning movement at the 

intersection, MUTs reduce the number of vehicleto-vehicle conflict points by half. As a result, the 

MUT can reduce severe crashes caused by these 

conflicts by nearly 70 percent. In a study of eight 

roadway sections in Michigan between 1991 and 

1997, researchers found an average reduction in 

total and injury crash frequencies of 31 and 32 

percent respectively.2

Reducing Congestion

The Median U-Turn allows for reduced signal 

phases at the intersections – in some cases by as 

much as half – resulting in significantly improved 

efficiency. 

Without direct left turns, simple, two-phase signal 

cycles can be used at the main intersection, and at 

the U-turn intersection, if signalized. Studies have 

Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists face 

greater mobility challenges and safety risks 

at intersections as traffic volumes grow and 

congestion worsens. Agencies need safer, more 

balanced designs that keep people moving. 

Innovative intersection designs represent a 

solution, and are being built more often because 

they can deliver more for less.

What is a Median U-Turn

intersection?

The Median U-Turn (MUT) intersection improves 

safety and efficiency by changing how left turns 

are handled. Instead of making a left turn at the 

main intersection, vehicles proceed through, 

make a U-turn a short distance downstream, and 

finally turn right back at the main intersection. 

The MUT can be used for either the major road 

or the minor road, or both. When used for the 

minor road, left turn traffic turns right, makes a 

U-turn downstream, and then travels through 

the main intersection. 

The Median U-Turn is an excellent choice for 

locations with moderate to heavy volumes of 

through traffic and moderate left turns. When 

implemented at multiple intersections along a 

corridor, the MUT also can improve safety by 

reducing overall speed, even while increasing 

throughput and improving travel times.

An MUT is sometimes

referred to as an Indirect 

Left or Michigan Left

MUT Left Turn Maneuver from a Major Road, Birmingham, MI

Source: MUT Video FHWA-SA-14-018

MUT Left Turn Maneuver from a Minor Road, Birmingham, MI

Source: MUT Video FHWA-SA-14-018