Question

You are to carry out a research using the internet and identify at least five different innovative ideas for intersection or road design to improve Road Safety and/or traffic flow. For each idea, provide a description of the idea, a photo or illustration of the design, where has it been used, advantages and disadvantages of the idea, and the source of the information (internet webpage/link will be sufficient).

Answer 1

1. Raised Crossings These are virtually raised pedestrian crossings which will slow the oncoming vehicle. Virtually raised pedestrian crosswalks are painted on the roadway surface and give the optical illusion of a raised surface.

It is used in Sweden and the picture above is a virtually raised pedestrian crossing in Sweden.

Advantages-

• reducing vehicle speed
• increasing the likelihood a motorist will yield the right-of-way

Disadvantage-

• visually impaired cannot detect a raised crossing.

This approach is most effective and appropriate in locations where the majority of motorists are unfamiliar drivers.

2. Photo Enforcement Equipment- to control speed on roadway segments and high-speed intersection approaches.

It is used in Germany and Netherlands

Advantages-

• slow traffic
• reduce red light running

Disadvantage-

• less-severe rear-end accidents has because motorists are not willing to chance running a red light by speeding through an intersection.
• vandalism and equipment tampering at some locations.

3. PUFFIN Crossings- uses pedestrian detectors to automatically vary the length of the pedestrian phase, giving pedestrians the time needed to cross.

Used in UK.

Advantages-

• Improve safety

Disadvantage-

• Very expensive

4.Speed Tables only on right turn- to control speed at higher-speed signalized intersections

Used in Netherlands

Advantages-

• improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists

Disadvantage-

• Very expensive

5. Yellow Box Junctions- congested intersections are striped with yellow crosshatches. You can stop if there is a vehicle ahead of you about to turn right or if cars are coming the other way.

Used in India

Advantages-

• Reduce traffic at intersection

Disadvantage-

• divisive issue with drivers

Reference- Signalized Intersection Safety In Europe, Federal Highway Administration, US