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Innovative Intersections

New intersection designs are coming to the Commonwealth that are built to make intersections safer for everyone. Some look very different, while some are familiar - such as roundabouts - but not yet common. The goals for these innovative intersections are reducing the chance of severe crashes or manage the circumstances of crashes to make them less severe. On this page, we will look at these new designs, detail projects in northeast Kentucky that use them, and link to videos to help you understand them better.




Roundabouts & Mini-Roundabouts
​
Brochure cover for Mini-Roundabouts 101The first roundabout in District 9's northeast Kentucky region will be a "mini-roundabout" constructed at the intersection of US 60 and KY 801 near the Bath-Rowan County line. Scroll down to learn more, including an engineers' drawing of it below. Click the brochure to the right for Mini-Roundabouts 101.

Roundabouts of all types reduce traffic congestion and reduce serious crashes by as much as 80 percent, according to the Federal Highway Administration. They improve traffic flow because traffic does not stop at signs or signals - a yield condition allows traffic to continually flow. In addition, they reduce "conflict points" because vehicles don't cross paths with each other, thereby reducing serious crashes. (Mini-roundabouts also feature a small footprint that makes them economical; and, the central island is designed to be driven over as needed by larger vehicles.)

  • Learn more about roundabouts at KYTC's "Roundabouts" page.
  • Watch the Federal Highway Administration's "Rules of the Roundabout" video on YouTube to learn more about driving roundabouts: Approaching drivers yield to traffic in the circle, while traffic in the circle always has the right of way.

Bath-Rowan County Mini-Roundabout at US 60-KY 801 at Farmers READ NEWS RELEASE HERE

Sketch showing typical one lane circular roundabout Click image for full-size schematic. (Larg file size, 10Mb, opens in new tab on your browser).


Bath-Rowan County Mini-Roundabout Project "Four Facts"

  1. EFFICIENT: No stop signs or signals, which keeps traffic flowing. Cars yield to traffic in the circle, enter to the right, then move around to access the direction they need. (Various studies, including one by the Mythbusters, show roundabouts move more traffic than signs, signals, or traffic cops.)
  2. SAFER: With all traffic moving in one direction, around the circle, vehicles do not cross each other’s path - instead, they merge - reducing the risk of severe T-bone crashes. (They’re also more visible to drivers, reducing the likelihood a driver will “blow through” the intersection as happens sometimes at four-way stops or signals.)
  3. ECONOMICAL: A mini-roundabout has a small “footprint,” allowing it to be built without buying additional property for right-of-way. And, the cost of nighttime lighting is minimal compared to a signal operating 24-hours a day.
  4. ACCOMODATING: The central island of a mini-roundabout is not grass, but concrete designed to be driven over by larger vehicles such as fire trucks, tractor trailers, RVs, trucks with boat trailers, etc. They enter to the right, and still go around the circle, but can cross the central island easily if needed to make turns. (Click the schematic above to see inset graphics that show how traffic may turn by crossing.)

Other Types of Innovative Intersections
Diverging Diamond Interchange
These intersections use signals to allow traffic to "switch sides" through an interchange, improving efficiency and reducing conflict points when exiting or turning from the roadway. Learn more at KYTC's Diverging Diamond page.

Restricted Crossing U-Turn (Michigan Left)
Learn more about these new and innovative intersections, designed to improve safety and traffic flow where a signal might not be warranted, by visiting KYTC's Michigan Left page. Or, learn about one being built in Pulaski County.

Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI)
The SPUI is a type of interchange where the road and ramp entrances/exits are controlled by a single traffic signal. It can be more efficient than a standard diamond interchange and takes up less space. Visit KYTC's SPUI page to learn more.

Continuous Green T Intersection
This provides free-flow operations in one direction on the arterial by using acceleration/merge lanes for left turn movements from the cross street. Learn more at KYTC's Continuous Green T page. (Example: US 23 and Diedrich Boulevard in Greenup County near Flatwoods.) 


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Resources
​The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Division of Planning has a page devoted to different Roadway Designs, as well as info on moving people and moving freight more efficiently, and other resources.

For Project Info
​​KYTC District 9
Project Development Office
P.O. Box P.O. Box 347
822 Elizaville Ave, KY 41041
Phone: (606) 845-2551

Media Contact
​​Allen Blair, Information Officer
(606) 748-3716
Allen.Blair@ky.gov

Virginia DOT Link
​Our friends and neighbors at Virginia DOT have a website with fact sheets, videos, and information on even more new designs aimed at improving traffic flow and safety at intersections. Learn more by visiting:

Central Office Contact

200 Mero St Frankfort, KY
Contact Form
(502) 564-4890
Transportation.ky.gov

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