Weird Intersections Reduce Crashes

ASK A TROOPER  by Sgt. Jacalyn Sticha

Reduced Conflict Intersections

Are the new style of intersections where drivers cannot go directly across the roadway - turn and then make a U-turn - safer?

Yes, they are safer. This type of intersection is the result of a great deal of study, planning, and many pilot projects, before they gained widespread approval. They are commonly referred to as Reduced Conflict Intersections.                     

These intersections can be constructed much faster and with less cost, thus, opening quicker and reducing crashes. A Reduced Conflict Intersection, compared to a typical four-lane divided intersection, has half the conflict points, twenty-four verses forty-two, an incredible reduction.

This MNDOT video link will show you how these intersections work and explain how much safer they are; it is animated and very interesting: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/rci.html

For a comprehensive MNDOT video about how to use Roundabouts go to: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/research/how-about-a-roundabout-video+brochure.html

Roundabouts also reduce crashes and conflict points - greatly.