Evaluation of Cost-Effective Alternative Designs for Rural Expressway Intersections

Author

Jonathan Howard, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2022.17
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/2447

Date of Award

3-2022

Degree Name

MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Department/Program

Civil and Environmental Engineering

College

College of Engineering

Advisor

Anurag Pande

Advisor Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Advisor College

College of Engineering

Abstract

Despite numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection design, its implementation remains uneven and close to zero in some large states such as California. This research provides a comprehensive framework to estimate the operational and safety performance of future RCUT designs in California. The framework is demonstrated for five intersections located on high-speed rural expressways in California using VISSIM microsimulation models to measure operational performance for each intersection including the base condition with the existing Two-Way Stop-Controlled (TWSC) intersection and two RCUT designs. To evaluate future safety performance, the microsimulation models were further utilized to compile vehicle trajectory data to use with the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) to develop a surrogate measure-based approach to estimating future safety performance. Detailed Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) studies found that the RCUT was cost-effective and the preferred alternative. This framework may be applied to the analysis of locations where a RCUT intersection may be appropriate. The framework demonstrated here may be used by agencies to estimate the future benefits of the first-time application of treatments that have been successful elsewhere. Based on simulation results, the proposed RCUT designs reduced or eliminated the more severe crossing conflicts.