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                NCDOT Constructs Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) Intersections to Improve Intersection Safety and Efficiency
    

    
    
          **Intersection Safety | July 2021**

RCUT intersection

RCUT intersection
Photo Source: NCDOT

“*What is central to implementing RCUTs is getting local buy-in. NCDOT’s effort at engaging and educating local officials and the community about the improved safety and traffic flow benefits of RCUTs for all users has resulted in positive feedback for this proven safety countermeasures.*”

- Joseph Hummer, State Traffic Management Engineer, North Carolina DOT

CHALLENGE

The opening of a new shopping center and the addition of an interchange with a new freeway posed safety and operational challenges for motorized and non-motorized users of the NC 55 Bypass in Holly Springs, North Carolina. While the road carried approximately 25,000 vehicles per day in 2011, these changes were expected to more than double the amount of traffic to 53,000 vehicles per day within a few years.

ACTION

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) considered different options and quickly determined that Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections, also known as Superstreets, j-turns, or reduced conflict intersections, would move traffic more efficiently and provide better throughput than conventional signalized intersections. RCUTs are a Proven Safety Countermeasure that rely on U–turns to complete minor street left turn and through movements. RCUTs reduce conflict points between vehicles by more than half and total vehicle collisions by about 50 percent.

RESULT

NCDOT constructed a series of four RCUT intersections along the NC 55 Bypass. Because the RCUT design creates consistent progression along the corridor, the new intersections have increased efficiency and safety by reducing travel times and conflict points on the main roadway while allowing economic growth to continue. These results have helped to normalize RCUTs in North Carolina.

Public engagement and stakeholder buy-in have been key factors in gaining acceptance for RCUTs in North Carolina. NCDOT has published information on RCUTs on its website to help educate the public and gain support from local elected officials and municipal staff. With the buy-in from local officials, NCDOT is able to more easily gain public support to construct RCUT intersections.

RESOURCES

NCDOT’s public engagement materials

Restricted Crossing U-turn Intersections

Intersection Safety
              
      
    
          Last updated: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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