Rural junction improvement and safety
An analysis of road accident statistics for 1995 shows that 36% of accidents in Seine-Maritime occur at intersections. Junctions improvement thus plays an important part in our efforts to improve road safety, whether that means modifying existing junctions or designing new ones.
This document includes a number of explanations that will help contract engineers to work with their clients
An analysis of road accident statistics for 1995 shows that 36% of accidents in Seine-Maritime occur at intersections.
Junctions improvement thus plays an important part in our efforts to improve road safety, whether that means modifying existing junctions or designing new ones.
With help from the Operating and Safety Division of the Normandy-Centre Infrastructure Design and Engineering agency, the Local Operating and Safety Unit has examined various existing junction layouts. Close observation of how existing junctions work will give design engineers some vital clues on how to improve safety at junctions.
Whatever the case, a preliminary analysis of the situation must be carried out first. Ready-made solutions should be avoided as they have sometimes led to an unnecessary rise in the number of roundabouts.
This document also includes a number of explanations that will help contract engineers to work with their clients
Contents
Designs which improve safety.............................. 7
1 - Removing obstacles to visibility ................................. 8
2 - Improving visibility by changing road alignment ....... 10
3 - Traffic island on minor road ..................................... 12
4 - Improving traffic signing .......................................... 14
5 - Levelling the roadway............................................... 16
6 - Orthogonal branches from intersection ..................... 18
7 - Extra width for left turn ............................................ 20
8 - Left-turning lane ...................................................... 22
9 - Reducing the number of access points...................... 24
10 - Roundabout ............................................................ 26
Designs which are questionable from the safety point of view ..................................................... 29
1 - Right-turning lane .................................................... 30
2 - Lighting at intersections .......................................... 32
3 - Left-turning lane on the right.................................... 34
Prohibited designs ............................................ 37
1.Junctions with many traffic islands ....................... 38
2.Widening the minor road ....................................... 40
3.Widening the main road ......................................... 42
4.Signal-controlled junctions ................................... 44
