ABMB

A corridor access management option that provides a less costly alternative to grade separation or expensive capacity improvements.
 

The J‐Turn intersection treatment has been successfully implemented in Michigan, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and is on the way in Louisiana. It involves the prohibition of left‐turn and through movements from the side‐street approaches, while accommodating those drivers with an option to turn right onto the main road and then make a U-turn maneuver at a median opening downstream. Left turns from the main road approaches are executed in a manner similar to left‐turns at a conventional intersection and are unaffected. Although this type of intersection treatment is typically considered a corridor‐wide treatment, also known as a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) or “Super Street,” the concept has been successfully used at isolated intersections to improve traffic flow and enhance safety.

ABMB recently completed the design of a J-Turn for a traditional neighborhood development off of US 61 (Airline Highway), a highly trafficked corridor, in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The intersection of LA 42 and US 61 currently operates at Level of Service F, but ABMB modeling shows that with the implementation of the J-Turn the intersection will operate at Level of Service C or better. The J-turn has been approved by LADOTD and will be the first of its kind in Louisiana.

LADOTD is also planning or investigating J-Turns at other intersections with major safety issues.

For more information, see FHWA article here.

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