PROJECT CASE STUDY

Intersection and

Interchange Geometrics

Minnesota Significantly Reduces Fatal and Severe Injury Crashes 

and Improves Travel Times with Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) Intersections

Unsignalized intersections on rural four-lane divided highways pose safety risks for severe right-angle crashes 

(commonly called “T-bone” crashes), especially for drivers attempting to cross all lanes of traffic or turning left. 

Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections have proven effective for decreasing fatalities and injuries on 

four-lane divided highways. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has implemented RCUT 

intersections in several high-crash locations around the state, and plans to build additional RCUT intersections 

over the next several years. 

How do they work? At an RCUT intersection, mainline drivers 

have full access, while drivers approaching divided highways 

from a side street are restricted from making direct left turns 

or crossings. Instead, they are required to turn right onto the 

divided highway then make a U-turn at a designated median 

opening. Direct left turns from the divided highway are allowed 

and are made from channelized directional-median openings to 

enhance safety. 

Why are they safer? At a traditional intersection, drivers from 

the side street need to judge for sufficient gaps in traffic in both 

directions in order to cross or turn left at a four-lane divided 

highway. With an RCUT, drivers from the side street only have 

to be concerned with one direction of traffic at a time on the 

divided highway. In many circumstances, this actually saves 

travel time since drivers (particularly truck drivers) don’t need 

to wait for long gaps in traffic from both directions. Under most 

conditions, the RCUT design greatly reduces the probability of 

right-angle crashes at the trade-off of a minimal increase in 

travel time. As traffic volume on the divided highway increases, 

the travel time penalty declines and the safety benefit is likely to 

increase.

BENEFITS OF RESTRICTED CROSSING U-TURN (RCUT) INTERSECTIONS

Safety Operations Cost

` RCUT intersections reduce the number of 

severe crossing conflict points from 26 to 10.

` In the first three years since implementation of 

the Willmar RCUT (the first in Minnesota), there 

were no fatal or serious injury crashes at this 

location.

` An FHWA evaluation of RCUT intersections 

concluded that the design reduces crashes 

by 28 to 44 percent. 

` Throughput (the number of vehicles exiting 

the intersection) increases up to 30%.

` Network intersection travel time decreases up 

to 40%.

` Compared to constructing grade separated 

interchanges, RCUT intersections offer 

substantial cost savings and reduced 

construction time.
Every Day Counts (EDC), a State-based initiative of FHWA’s Center for Accelerating 

Innovation, works with State, local and private sector partners to encourage the adoption of 

proven technologies and innovations aimed at shortening and enhancing project delivery

www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts

For additional 

information, 

please contact:

Mark A. Doctor, P.E. 

Intersection and Interchange Geometrics Lead 

Safety & Design Engineer 

FHWA Office of Technical Services 

mark.doctor@dot.gov

404.895.6210

` MnDOT Reduced Conflict Intersections web page: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/rci.html

` MnDOT RCUT informational public outreach video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WebW5JZNrT8&feature=youtu.be

` Field Evaluation of Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection, FHWA Publication No.: FHWA-HRT-11-067, June

2012. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/hsis/11067/index.cfm

` Alternative Intersections/Interchanges: Informational Report (AIIR), FHWA Publication No.: FHWA-HRT-09-060,

April 2010: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09060/

KEYS TO SUCCESS

Implementing RCUT intersections and their associated changes to traffic patterns is most often hindered by 

a lack of understanding from project stakeholders. A major key to success is the need to clearly explain the 

safety benefits of the RCUT intersection, especially the safety advantages afforded to traffic coming from the 

side street. Initial stakeholder reactions may focus on the increased travel distance and U-turn maneuver the 

side street traffic must make in a proposed RCUT implementation. However, at many traditional intersections 

the delay that side street traffic incurs while waiting 

for a lengthy gap in traffic to safely make a left turn 

or crossing maneuver can offset the additional travel 

time needed at an RCUT intersection. Other issues 

may include concerns from emergency-response

personnel with the new traffic patterns. An effective

stakeholder engagement process should include 

promoting an understanding of the trade-offs and 

the overall value of the improvement. 

To be successful in allaying these concerns, agencies 

must provide stakeholders with accurate and 

credible data regarding the changes in travel times 

likely to occur with an RCUT implementation. Thanks 

to funds from an FHWA grant, and in collaboration 

with FHWA, MnDOT produced an informational 

video that was used as part of a media campaign 

to raise awareness and provide education on RCUT 

intersections. The video and associated public 

relations efforts played a role in obtaining buy-in from 

skeptical stakeholders, including area residents and 

city/county officials. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Keys to Success

` Active and ongoing stakeholder

engagement, buy-in, and promotion.

` Supporting decisions with credible and

reliable data.

` Coordination among agency practices

including planning, design, safety, and

operations.

` Supporting policies or actions, such as a

driver education campaign, and funding

improvements, multi-agency agreements,

and policies where roadways cross

jurisdictional boundaries.

` Complementary strategies such as

intersection pedestrian treatments and

access management.

Updated 07/20