Design Standards for Unobstructed Sight Lines at Left-Turn Lanes

Status:  Complete
Report Date:  09/09/2019

Summary:

Positive offset left-turn lanes are one solution to improving left-turning motorists visibility of opposing through and right-turning traffic. MnDOT is revising its Road Design Manual and seeks to incorporate more information, policies and design guidance regarding positive offset left-turn lanes. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin's Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory reviewed safety performance data from research that examined left-turn offsets. They also consulted 23 state DOT road design guides to understand the extent of available guidance. Findings from this research effort were used to develop extensive revisions to the Road Design Manual, addressing a wide range of design factors and applications of the positive offset left-turn lane throughout Minnesota's highway system.

Final Deliverables:


Related Materials:


Related Research:

Project Personnel:

Principal Investigator:  David Noyce

Co-Principal Investigator:  Madhav Chitturi, Andrea Bill

Technical Liaison:  Kristi Sebastian

Project Coordinator:  David Glyer

Panel Members: 
Douglas Carter - Project Management and Technical Support
James Rosenow - Project Management and Technical Support
Joe Gustafson - Washington County Public Works - Engineer
Jon Krieg - 
Kaare Festvog - Metro District
Ken Levin - Hennepin County
Lars Impola - Metro District
Mark Vizecky - State Aid for Local Transp
Mitchell Bartelt - Metro District
Tiffany Kautz - Traffic Engineering
Tim Plath - City of Eagan - Engineer