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.
The Florida LTAP Center is pleased to partner with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Resource Center to bring you this virtual workshop series.
What is meant by “performance-based” intersection design and operations?
Implementing intersection improvements involves careful consideration of the specific conditions, needs, and constraints of a location. Intersection characteristics such as the types and volumes of users can vary greatly, as well as the context and constraints of the location. It is becoming less common that “cook-book” type solutions are appropriate, and more common that “performance-based” objectives try to be achieved within a balance of safety for all users and achieving efficient traffic flow within the context of project costs, availability of right-of-way, and effects on roadside development. There are many performance-based approaches in the design and operations of intersections with a common element being the consideration of how project choices will influence actual performance in meaningful and measurable terms. Intersection performance can be considered in ways such as:
• Existing and expected future traffic operational efficiency
• Existing and expected future crash frequency and severity
• Quality of service for pedestrians, bicycles, transit buses and trucks
• Accessibility for persons with disabilities
• Community impacts and quality of life
• Providing access to existing properties and accommodating potential future development
• Operational flexibility during emergencies, incidents, and maintenance activities
To implement “performance-based” approaches requires analysis and the utilization of appropriate tools to inform project decisions. Performance-based analysis complements the exercise of design flexibility by providing performance measures to document the anticipated effects of design and operational decisions.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Since intersections are a focal point for safety and operations, this interactive course is intended for a variety of transportation professionals involved in safety, geometric design, and the application of traffic control devices at intersections. Safety professionals, planners, operations, and traffic engineers are included.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the 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
There is a series of self-paced modules associated with this training that are recommended to be viewed prior to the training. These are NOT hosted by Florida LTAP, and thus are not eligible for certificates. If you would like information on these modules, please email FloridaLTAP@usf.edu.
Instructor Bios:
Timothy C. Taylor joined FHWA 12 years ago after a long career with ALDOT. Spanning 27 years, he has been a construction inspector, project manager, Assistant District Engr. and the state traffic engineer. He has worked on projects of all types from Rest Areas to Interchanges, from Hazard Elimination and Safety to Bridge projects. Tim is now a Sr Highway Safety Engineer on the Safety and Design Team of FHWA. Tim’s expertise is in RSAs, Intersection & Pedestrian Safety, Traffic Control Devices, Speed and Access Management, Systemic Safety Improvements, and other safety initiatives. Tim is a past member of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Marking Technical Committee, AASHTO Traffic Engineering Subcommittee, ALDOT Traffic Signal Design and ITS Advisory Committees, and the Alabama LTAP Advisory Board. Tim is a member of ITE and the Capstone Engineering Society. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and is a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama.
Dave Petrucci is a Senior Safety Engineer and member of the Safety and Design Technical Service Team in the Federal Highway Administration’s Resource Center and has served in this position for the past six (6) years. Mr. Petrucci has over 17 years of total traffic engineering experience in consulting and government while specializing in intersection and roadway design and safety analysis. Mr. Petrucci has served as a core team member of the FHWA Every Day Counts (EDC4) Data-Driven Safety Analysis (DDSA) effort and provides technical assistance, training, and technology deployment to state, local, and tribal governments throughout the United States. Mr. Petrucci has been an active member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) at the local and international levels including serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the ITE Traffic Engineering Council (2011 to 2017), and the ITE Transportation Safety Council as Vice-Chair (2016 to 2018) and Chair (2018 to 2020). Mr. Petrucci also serves as an appointed organizational director with the Transportation Professional Certification Board, Inc. (2020 to present).
RECORDINGS
To earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a Certificate of Completion for each recorded webinar, you must view the entire webinar.
After viewing, please fill out this web form to request your certificate: https://floridaltap.org/training-and-events/ltap-recorded-webinars/certificate. The Florida LTAP Center will follow-up within 2-3 weeks.
Session one will award 3.0 PDHs. Session two will award 2.0 PDHs A total of 5.0 PDHs can be earned for fully viewing both recordings.
Click the tabs below to view the recorded webinars.
Part 1 of 2
Part 1 of this webinar series will cover the following modules:
Module 1 – Introduction
✔ Module 2 – Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE)
✔ Module 3 – Left Turn Signal Phasing
✔ Module 4 – Safe Systems Approach
Handouts
Part 2 of 2
Part 2 of this webinar series will cover the following modules:
✔ Module 5 – Signals Toolbox
✔ Module 6 – Intersection Exercise
✔ Module 7 – Signing and Marking Toolbox
✔ Module 8 – Case Studies
Handouts
- See Part 1