CO

First Last, Title

Office

Organization

000-123-4567 (phone)

000-123-4567 (fax)

firstlast[at]gov.us

First Last, Title

Office

Organization

000-123-4567 (phone)

000-123-4567 (fax)

firstlast[at]gov.us

Office of Office Title

Federal Highway

Administration

000-123-4567 (phone)

feedback[at]gov.gov

ON THE WEB: 

www.websiteaddress

Michigan Avenue and South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 

MEDIAN U-TURN INTERSECTION 

THE PROBLEM 

This busy intersection 

experienced lengthy queues 

of left turning vehicles. The 

result was congestion that 

restricted through movements 

and threatened the safety 

of a significant number of 

pedestrians and bicyclists. 

THE SOLUTION 

Conversion of the intersection 

to a Median U -Turn to improve 

access to non -motorized users 

and increase throughput. 

THE OUTCOME 

⯀ Improved pedestrian and 

bicycle facilities at both 

signalized and mid -block 

crossings to increase safety 

NanTd mACT: obility for these users. 

⯀ Increased throughput due to 

the elimination of queuing 

at the signal. 

CONTACT 

Jeffrey Shaw, P.E.

FHWA Office of Safety

202.738.7793 

jeffrey.shaw@dot.gov

Mark Doctor, P.E.

FHWA Resource Center 

404.895.6210 

mark.doctor@dot.gov

INTERSECTION LOCATION 

42°44’00.7”N 84°29’36.9”W 

MUT Pedestrian Crossing 

Source: MUT Case Study Video FHWA-SA-14-049 

FHWA-SA-14-050 

Revised June 2020

Background 

”

“The [intersection] 

provides walkability. It’s

more pedestrian friendly. 

Michigan Avenue in East Lansing, MI experiences approximately 10,000 vehicles per day.1

 The 

surrounding area includes a large residential zone 

and the campus of Michigan State University (MSU), 

one of the largest universities in the United States. 

— Danielle Deneau, P.E. 

Director of Traffic Safety

Road Commission for Oakland County, MI

Challenges 

In addition to experiencing lengthy queues of left turning vehicles, this intersection has significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic, with one of the largest MSU dormitories located near the 

corner of Michigan Avenue and South Harrison Road. Furthermore, the community had a goal 

of improving mobility for non-motorized traffic. 

Approach 

This intersection became part of 

a $6 million multi-stage project 

to renovate the area’s roads. As a 

result, the Michigan DOT (MDOT) 

converted the intersection to an 

MUT both to improve safety for 

pedestrians and bicyclists as well 

as to increase traffic flow along 

the roadway. As part of this project, MDOT designed the Median 

U-Turn bays to accommodate 

longer, articulated buses, and 

constructed a new bus haven on 

Michigan Avenue. Bike racks are available at each bus stop. Dedicated bike lanes make it easy 

for bicyclists to navigate the intersection and provide a buffer for stopped buses. 

Intersection of Michigan Avenue and South Harrison Road

Source: MUT Case Study Video FHWA-SA-14-049

Results 

In addition to improving traffic flow, the new MUT resulted in pedestrian and bicycle facility 

improvements both at signal and mid-block crossings – meeting the community’s goals to 

increase mobility for non-motorized traffic. Because conflicts between pedestrians and turning 

vehicles are eliminated and the median provides a safe haven for pedestrians and bicyclists, 

area residents have experienced a safer pedestrian environment. In addition, updated bicycle 

and transit accommodations have been installed and intersection throughput has been 

improved. 

1 Michigan DOT, Construction Plans, M-43, Old 143, Job Number 113167A, approved December 11, 2012. 

www.safety.fhwa.dot.gov

This Fact Sheet is a companion to the Video Case Study (FHWA-SA-14 -049)