Intersections are only a small proportion of the roadway network on a mileage basis, yet each year on average in the United States, about one-quarter of traffic fatalities and roughly half of all traffic injuries are intersection related. Intersections are planned points of conflict in the roadway system where different paths cross, join, or separate. Crashes can occur at conflict points when users make errors in judgement or violate traffic control devices. Intersections can also become very congested when traffic volumes are high, creating inefficiency that results in user delay, frustration, and potential negative economic impacts to nearby businesses and residents. That is why intersections are commonly a priority for both safety and operations. This two-part webinar series examines a few key safety, design, and operational considerations for roadway intersections from performance-based perspectives of various users. As transportation agencies shift toward performance-based approaches to plan, design and operate their systems, an emphasis on practical and cost-effective solutions is critical. This course examines a range of considerations for enhancing the safety and operational performance of intersections in urban, suburban, and rural contexts. The primary topics are Safe Systems, Intersection Control Evaluation, Signal Phasing and Efficiency, and Markings and Signing Practices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the types of intersection conflicts and the factors that influence crash severity
• Apply strategies that reduce the severity and frequency of intersection conflicts through geometric improvements
• Apply strategies that reduce the severity and frequency of intersection conflicts through traffic control and operational improvements
• Identify appropriate safety and operational performance measures for intersections
• Apply strategies to balance the needs of different user groups at intersections
• Define and describe the elements of an intersection control evaluation process
• Apply strategies to select appropriate engineering countermeasures at high crash intersections
• Describe the guiding principles for pedestrian-focused intersection designs

INSTRUCTORS: Timothy C. Taylor, Senior Safety Engineer, FHWA | David Petrucci, Senior Safety Engineer, FHWA

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