Basics of Highway 3.
Intersections
Engineering
INTERSECTION
An intersection is an area, shared by two or more roads, whose main function is
to provide for the change of route directions. Intersections are classified into
three general categories:
At-grade intersections
Grade-separated intersections without ramps
Grade-separated intersections with ramps (Interchanges)
At-Grade Intersections Grade Separated Interchanges
1
Basics of Highway [Link]
Engineering
Types of At-Grade Intersections
The basic types of at-grade intersections are:
T or three-leg intersections which consist of three approaches
Four-leg or cross intersections, which consist of four approaches
Multileg intersections, which consist of five or more approaches
Examples of T Intersections
2
Basics of Highway [Link]
Engineering
Examples of Four-Leg Intersections
Examples of Multi Leg Intersections
3
Basics of Highway [Link]
Engineering
Intersection Design Consideration:
1. The design should reduce the points of conflicts among different traffic streams
2. Separating points of conflicts
3. Control relative speed
4. Give high priority to directions having high speed and volume
5. Separate inhomogeneous traffic
6. Provide smooth flow of traffic
7. Intersections should not locate at or just beyond sharp crest vertical curves or
at steep horizontal curves.
Channelization of At-Grade Intersections
Channelization: is the separation of conflicting traffic movements into definite
paths of travel by traffic islands or pavement markings to facilitate the safe and
orderly movements of both vehicles and pedestrians.
Traffic Island: is a defined area between traffic lanes that is used to regulate the
movement of vehicles or to serve as a pedestrian refuge.
Types of traffic islands (shape):
Curbed traffic islands
Pavement markings (flushed islands)
Pavement edges.
Curbed traffic island Pavement markings
4
Basics of Highway [Link]
Engineering
Types of traffic islands (function):
Canalized islands: to control and direct traffic
Divisional Islands: to divide opposing or same direction traffic
Refugee islands: to provide refugee for pedestrians
Canalized Islands
Divisional Islands
5
Basics of Highway [Link]
Engineering
Purpose of Canalization:
1. Increase capacity
2. Enhance safety
3. Increase driver confidence
4. Control the merging, diverging, or crossing angle of vehicles.
5. Reduce drivers wander and area of conflict by reducing the amount of
paved area.
6. The angle between intersecting streams can be made more favorable
7. Drivers can be forced to merge into moving streams at flat angle and
proper speed
Narrow Opening
8. Speed control can be established over vehicles entering an intersection by
funneling the vehicle into narrow openings
6
Basics of Highway [Link]
Engineering
Traffic Circles
A traffic circle is a circular intersection that provides a circular traffic pattern with
significant reduction in the crossing conflict points.
There are three types of traffic circles:
1. Rotaries: have large diameters that are usually greater than 90 m, thereby
allowing speeds exceeding 50 km/h,
2. Neighborhood traffic circles: have diameters that are much smaller than
rotaries and therefore allow much lower speeds.
3. Roundabouts: have specific defining characteristics that separate them
from other circular intersections. These include:
Yield control at each approach
Separation of conflicting traffic movements by pavement markings or
raised islands
Geometric characteristics of the central island that typically allow
travel speeds of less than 50 km/h
Parking not usually allowed within the circulating roadway
Traffic circles are preferred to be used when
There is equal traffic volume approaching from all directions
Design hourly volume approaching the intersection does not exceed 3000
veh/hr.
An Example of Roundabout
7
Basics of Highway [Link]
Engineering
Geometric Elements of a Single-Lane Modern Roundabout
Modern roundabouts range in size from mini roundabouts with inscribed circle
diameter of 15 m, to compact roundabouts with inscribed circle diameter
between 30 and 35 m, to large roundabout with inscribed circle diameter of 75
m. The greater speeds permitted by large roundabouts may reduce their safety
benefits to some extent