REDUCED CONFLICT U-TURN
A
Reduced Conflict U-Turn
(RCUT)
is a four-lane highway intersection design consisting of one main intersection and two median crossover intersections.
It includes:
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A four-lane highway (two sets of lanes moving in opposite directions)
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Two median crossover intersections
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One main intersection
What are the benefits of an RCUT?
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Enhanced safety – Motorists only focus on one direction of oncoming traffic at a time, making the intersection safer and easier to navigate.
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Increased efficiency – The RCUT design has fewer traffic lights and stops when compared to a standard intersection, resulting in shorter wait times for motorists.
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More capacity – Each direction of an RCUT operates independently by creating two one-way streets to decongest the flow of traffic.
When can an RCUT be used?
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RCUTs are most effective when an intersection has:
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Median-divided highways
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Heavy through and left-turn traffic volumes on the main road
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Low through and left-turn traffic volumes on side streets
How does an RCUT work?
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When approaching an RCUT from the main road, drivers can continue straight or make a left/right turn
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When approaching from side streets, drivers start by making a right turn
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After turning right, drivers can continue straight or enter the left turn lane to make a U-turn through the median
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After making a U-turn, drivers can complete their desired movement through the intersection
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Pedestrians follow crosswalks
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Bicyclists use pedestrian paths or follow the traffic law
Where are RCUTs in Kentucky?
KY 80/KY 1535: Laurel County
Ring Road/Bacon Creek Road intersection: Hardin County
Kentucky Successes Kentucky Transportation Cabinet engineers analyze crash data before and after construction and the results show significant safety and traffic flow improvements. Here are some examples of results in Kentucky communities.
Hardin County
Pre-and post-data at four RCUT locations along the U.S. Highway 31W corridor were completed in 2022 as part of an improvement project from Saint John Road to Crutz Lane and six standalone RCUTS. A KYTC analysis of data through October 2024 for all the RCUTs showed:
- a combined 48% reduction in the annual average of crashes (from 267 per year before construction to 138 per year afterward)
- an 82% reduction in injuries (from 44 per year to 8 per year) since opening
- Preliminary monitoring by engineering staff also found a reduction in traffic delays for motorists.
McCracken County
Engineers evaluated crash data four years before construction and four years post-construction at the following locations with RCUTs that opened between 2020 and 2021.
- U.S. 60 at KY 726 (Kelly Road) Intersection
- Pre-construction: 11 crashes, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities.
- Post-construction: 2 crashes, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. This represents a 100% reduction in total injuries.
- U.S. 60 at KY 996 (Metropolis Lake Road)
- Pre-construction: 16 crashes, 18 injuries, and 1 fatality.
- Post-construction: 16 crashes, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. This represents an 89% reduction in total injuries.
- U.S. 45 at KY 1288 (Lebanon Church Road)
- Pre-construction: 22 crashes, 13 injuries, and 2 fatalities.
- Post-construction: 16 crashes, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. This represents a 77% reduction in total injuries.
