Intersection
Design
1
Intersections
More complicated area for
drivers
Main function is to provide
for change of direction
Source of congestion in
urban areas
Concern for safety (fender
benders in urban, fatals in
rural)
2
Types of Intersections
Grade separated with ramps (freeway
interchange)
Grade separated without ramps (over or
underpass with no access)
At-grade
Conventional
Roundabouts
New concepts (e.g., “continuous flow”)
3
Design Objectives
“To reduce the severity of potential conflicts
between motor vehicles, pedestrians, and
facilities while facilitating the convenience, ease,
and comfort of people traversing the intersection.
” AASHTO
Provide ease/control of access consistent with
the function of intersecting roadways
4
Operational Requirements
Provide adequate sight distance – for
approach and departure maneuvers
Minimize turning and through conflicts
Provide natural paths for permitted
movements
Avoid geometry (sharp curves/steep grades)
that complicates the driving task and
adversely impacts acceleration or
deceleration
5
Intersection Sight Distance – ISD
Allow drivers to have an unobstructed view
of intersection
Definition: Required ISD is the length of
cross road that must be visible such that the
driver of a turning/crossing vehicle can
decide to and complete the maneuver
without conflict with vehicles approaching
the intersection on the cross road.
6
Adequate ISD
Sight Triangle – area free of obstructions
necessary to complete maneuver and avoid
collision – needed for approach and departure
(from stop sign for example)
Allows driver to anticipate and avoid collisions
Allows drivers of stopped vehicles enough view of
the intersection to decide when to enter
7
Sight Triangle
area free of obstructions necessary to
complete maneuver and avoid collision –
needed for approach and departure (from
stop sign for example)
Consider horizontal as well as vertical, object
below driver eye height may not be an
obstruction
AASHTO assumes 3.5’ above roadway
8
9
Sight Distance Obstruction
Hidden Vehicle
10
ISD Cases
No control: vehicles adjust speed
Stop control: where traffic on minor roadway
must stop prior to entering major roadway
Yield control: vehicles on minor roadway must
yield to major roadway traffic
Signal control: where vehicles on all approaches
are required to stop by either a stop sign or
traffic signal
All way stop
Stopped major roadway left-turn vehicles – must
yield to oncoming traffic
11
Case A– No Control
Minimum sight triangle sides = distance traveled in
3 seconds (design or actual?) = 2 seconds for P/R
and 1 second to actuate brake/accel.
Assumes vehicles slow ~ 50% of midblock running
speed (rural???)
12
Case A– No Control
Prefer appropriate SSD on both approaches
(minimum really)
Provided on lightly traveled roadways
Provide control if sight triangle not available
Assumes vehicle on the left yields to vehicle on the
right if they arrive at same time
13
Example
Large
Tree 25 mph
72’
47’
50 mph
Is sufficient stopping sight distance
provided?
14
Example
Large 25 mph
Tree
b = 72’
db
a = 47’
50 mph da
da
db a
da b
15
da = 220 feet
16
Example
Large 25 mph
Tree
b = 72’
db
a = 47’
50 mph da
da = 220 feet
da
db = 47’ (220’) = 69.9’ db a
da b 17
220’ – 72’
db = 69.9 feet
corresponds to 15 mph
18
Example
Large 25 mph
Tree
b = 72’
db
a = 47’
50 mph da
25 mph > 15 mph, stopping sight
distance is not sufficient for 25
mph
19
Case B – Stop Control
Three Sub Cases – Maneuvers
Turn left on to major roadway (clear traffic left,
enter traffic right)
Turn right on to major roadway (enter traffic
from left)
Crossing (clear traffic left/right)
20
Case C - Yield Control
Minor Roadway Yields – must be able to see
left/right – adjust speed – possibly stop
Sight distance exceeds that of stop control
Similar to no-control
21
Case C - Yield Control
Must use minimum stopping sight distances
for da and db
SSD calculation should include effect of
grade
Required distance = P/R + stopping
distances
22
Case C - Yield Control
Typically Known – a, b
Typically Assume Va or Vb
Similar triangles can be used to calculate safe
approach speeds (given one approach speed) or
allowable a and b.
da/db = (da – b)/a
db = (da *a)/ (da – b)
23
Yield Control
Case C 1: Crossing maneuver from minor road
Assumes minor road vehicles that do not stop
decelerate to 60% of minor road speed
Vehicle should be able to:
Travel from decision point to intersection decelerating to
60% of design speed
Cross and clear the intersection at the same (i.e., 60%)
speed
24
tg
Figure on page
671, AASHTO
“Green Book”
2001
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26
27
Measuring at an Uncontrolled Intersection
Assistant
Obstruction
ine
tL
gh
Si
Decision
Observer
Point 28
