Comparing 4-Median U-Turn intersections. First, need to write an overview introduction about Median U-Turn then describe the area of each intersection. After that, need to compare between the Geometric Design. Then write a conclusion.

QUESTION

Comparing 4-Median U-Turn intersections. First, need to write an overview introduction about Median U-Turn then describe the area of each intersection. After that, need to compare between the Geometric Design. Then write a conclusion.

• US 280 at Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL (2013 open year)
  1. The area
     1. The intersection is in the middle of a large business area. Example of the business: The Home Depot, Kohl’s, a grocery store called Winn-Dixie, The UPS Store, banks, shopping stores, fitness centers, and some restaurant. (large parking lots)
     2. The major road is US 280, and minor road is Valleydale Road.
  2. Geometric Design:
     1. U-turn crossover on major road.
     2. 4-lane each

• 1-right-turn-lane each

1. 2-way crossovers (signalized)
2. Median width
   1. Narrow median; use loons (160-ft taper)
   2. Median width (25-5 ft)
3. Right-way Requirements; 146-ft

• Spacing:
  1. between Main intersection and U-Turn crossover (West and East); 670-ft.
  2. consideration for major Rd left turn movement:
     1. Deceleration; 338-ft
     2. Storage; 295-ft
  3. consideration for a right turn:
     1. Deceleration and storage; 670-ft

• No pedestrian

1. Bus stop (140-ft west of main intersection)

• West Ina at Oracle Rd, Tucson, AL (2013 open year)
  1. The area
     1. The intersection is in the middle of a business area. Example of the business: grocery stores, banks, some restaurants, a high school, and health care service.
     2. The major road is Oracle, and minor road is West Ina.
  2. Geometric Design:
     1. U-turn crossover on minor road.
     2. 2-lane each

• 1-right-turn-lane each

1. single-directional crossovers (signalized)
2. Median width
   1. Narrow median; use loons (only east intersection)
   2. Median width (15-5 ft)
3. Right-way Requirements; 130-ft

• Spacing:
  1. between Main intersection and U-Turn crossover
     1. West; 515-ft.
     2. East; 615-ft.
  2. consideration for major Rd left turn movement:
     1. Deceleration:
        1. West; 160-ft.
        2. East; 180-ft.
     2. Storage:
        1. West; 345-ft.
        2. East; 445-ft.
     3. consideration for a right turn:
        1. Deceleration and storage:
           1. West; 515-ft.
           2. East; 615-ft.

• Pedestrian crossing

1. Bus stop (110-ft west of main intersection)

• W Grant Rd at N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AL (2013 open year)
  1. The area
     1. There is a small business center, and some stores around the intersection.
     2. The major road is W Grant Rd, and minor road is N Oracle Rd.
  2. Geometric Design:
     1. U-turn crossover on minor road.
     2. 3-lane each

• 1-right-turn-lane each

1. single-directional crossovers (signalized)
2. Median width
   1. Narrow median; use loons
   2. Median width (15-5 ft)
3. Right-way Requirements; 146-ft

• Spacing:
  1. between Main intersection and U-Turn crossover
     1. West; 710-ft.
     2. East; 920-ft.
  2. consideration for major Rd left turn movement:
     1. Deceleration:
        1. West; 210-ft.
        2. East; 415-ft.
     2. Storage:
        1. West; 495-ft.
        2. East; 485-ft.
     3. consideration for a right turn:
        1. Deceleration and storage:
           1. West; 710-ft.
           2. East; 920-ft.

• Pedestrian crossing (main intersection and both of U-turn crossovers)

1. Bus stop (170-ft west of main intersection)

• 96th at Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN (2013 open year)
  1. The area
     1. There is a business center which have a grocery store, restaurants. The cross of the business center, there is a residential area. there is also a gas station.
     2. The major road is 96th, and minor road is Allisonville.
  2. Geometric Design:
     1. U-turn crossover on both roads.
     2. 3-lane each

• 1-right-turn-lane each

1. single-directional crossovers (signalized)
2. Median width
   1. Narrow median; use loons
   2. Median width (5 ft)
3. Right-way Requirements; 160-ft

• Spacing:
  1. between Main intersection and U-Turn crossover
     1. West; 1100-ft.
     2. East; 600-ft.
     3. North;480-ft
     4. South;660-ft
  2. consideration for major Rd left turn movement:
     1. Deceleration:
        1. West; 730-ft.
        2. East; 45-ft.

• North;325-ft

1. South;312-ft

1. Storage:
   1. West; 380-ft.
   2. East; 555-ft.

• North;145-ft (2-way crossovers)

1. South;350-ft

3. consideration for a right turn:
   1. Deceleration and storage:
      1. West; 1100-ft.
      2. East; 600-ft.

• North;480-ft

1. South;660-ft

• Pedestrian crossing (main intersection and north/west U-turn crossovers)

• ANSWER

• Overview Introduction

  Median U-Turn intersections, also known as Michigan lefts or superstreets, are innovative traffic control designs that aim to improve safety and efficiency at busy intersections. They involve restricting certain movements at the main intersection and providing U-turn crossovers downstream, allowing drivers to safely make left turns and access side roads without interrupting the flow of through traffic. In this comparison, we will examine four Median U-Turn intersections: US 280 at Valleydale Road in Birmingham, AL; West Ina at Oracle Rd in Tucson, AL; W Grant Rd at N Oracle Rd in Tucson, AL; and 96th at Allisonville Rd in Fishers, IN.

  US 280 at Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL

  The US 280 at Valleydale Road intersection is located in a bustling business area in Birmingham, AL. It is surrounded by prominent establishments such as The Home Depot, Kohl’s, Winn-Dixie grocery store, The UPS Store, banks, shopping stores, fitness centers, and restaurants. The intersection features a major road, US 280, and a minor road, Valleydale Road. The geometric design includes a U-turn crossover on the major road with four lanes in each direction, a right-turn lane for each direction, and signalized two-way crossovers. The median is narrow with loons and has a width of 25-5 ft. The intersection also considers the requirements for deceleration, storage, and right turns. There are no pedestrian facilities, but a bus stop is located 140-ft west of the main intersection.

  West Ina at Oracle Rd, Tucson, AL

  The West Ina at Oracle Rd intersection is situated in a business area in Tucson, AL. The surrounding businesses include grocery stores, banks, restaurants, a high school, and healthcare services. The intersection is formed by the major road, Oracle Rd, and the minor road, West Ina (SEC I-10 & Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741 | LoopNet, 1 C.E.). The geometric design features a U-turn crossover on the minor road with two lanes in each direction, a right-turn lane for each direction, and signalized single-directional crossovers. The median is narrow and utilizes loons, with a width of 15-5 ft. The intersection meets the right-way requirements and considers deceleration, storage, and right turn movements. Pedestrian crossings are present, and a bus stop is located 110-ft west of the main intersection.

  W Grant Rd at N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AL

  The W Grant Rd at N Oracle Rd intersection is located in a small business center in Tucson, AL. The area features various stores and a business center, with the major road being W Grant Rd and the minor road being N Oracle Rd. The geometric design incorporates a U-turn crossover on the minor road, with three lanes in each direction, a right-turn lane for each direction, and signalized single-directional crossovers. The median is narrow, utilizing loons, and has a width of 15-5 ft. The intersection meets the right-way requirements and accounts for deceleration, storage, and right turn movements. Pedestrian crossings are present at the main intersection and both U-turn crossovers, and a bus stop is located 170-ft west of the main intersection.

  96th at Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN

  The 96th at Allisonville Rd intersection is situated in Fishers, IN. The area features a business center with a grocery store, restaurants, and a gas station. Adjacent to the business center is a residential area. The major road at this intersection is 96th, and the minor road is Allisonville Rd (Perry & Perry, 2023). The geometric design includes U-turn crossovers on both roads, with three lanes in each direction, a right-turn lane for each direction, and signalized single-directional crossovers. The median is narrow with loons and has a width of 5 ft. The intersection meets the right-way requirements and considers deceleration, storage, and right turn movements. Pedestrian crossings are present at the main intersection and the north/west U-turn crossovers.

  Comparison of Geometric Design

  When comparing the geometric designs of the four Median U-Turn intersections, several key differences emerge. In terms of the major road, the US 280 at Valleydale Road intersection has four lanes each, while the other intersections have three lanes each. The US 280 intersection also has a wider median and utilizes loons for a 160-ft taper (It Is Also Important That Consistency Be Achieved in the Type of Intersections | Course Hero, 2022). The median width varies across the intersections, with the narrowest being 5 ft at the 96th at Allisonville Rd intersection. The spacing between the main intersection and U-turn crossovers differs as well, with the longest distance at the 96th intersection (1100-ft west). Pedestrian facilities are present at various intersections, with the US 280 intersection being the only one without pedestrian crossings.

  Conclusion

  In conclusion, Median U-Turn intersections provide innovative solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in busy areas. The US 280 at Valleydale Road intersection in Birmingham, AL, serves a large business area with multiple amenities and follows specific geometric design considerations. The West Ina at Oracle Rd and W Grant Rd at N Oracle Rd intersections in Tucson, AL, are situated in business areas with different surrounding establishments and pedestrian facilities. The 96th at Allisonville Rd intersection in Fishers, IN, caters to a mixed-use area with both a business center and a nearby residential zone. Understanding the variations in geometric design and considering specific area requirements is crucial for implementing effective Median U-Turn intersections.

  References

  It is also important that consistency be achieved in the type of intersections | Course Hero. (2022, August 5). https://www.coursehero.com/file/p3hr8r10/It-is-also-important-that-consistency-be-achieved-in-the-type-of-intersections/ 

  Perry, S., & Perry, S. (2023). 5 Things to Know About Allisonville Road – This is Fishers. This Is Fishers. https://www.thisisfishers.com/5-things-allisonville-road/

  SEC I-10 & Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741 | LoopNet. (1 C.E., January 1). LoopNet. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/SEC-I-10-Ina-Road-Tucson-AZ/23429939/