Potential Traffic Solutions
The traffic solutions described below would improve traffic flow and safety for motorists and other roadway users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
Share your feedback on traffic solutions
Photo examples
The image gallery below shows an example of each potential traffic calming solution described on this page.
On-street parking
On-street parking is parking available along the curb of a street.
Benefits
- Provides vehicle access to businesses along Rice Street.
- Can act as a traffic-calming device and buffer between the sidewalk and roadway.
Challenges
- Additional right-of-way space requirement.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.
Lane reduction/4-to-3 lane conversion
A lane reduction decreases the number of lanes on the roadway. A common example is a 4-to-3 lane conversion which changes a four-lane roadway to a three-lane roadway that consists of two through traffic lanes and a left turn lane in the center.
Benefits
- Can reduce crashes by 19% in urban areas (Federal Highway Administration).
- Shortens pedestrian crossing distance.
- Provides shoulder space for bikes and emergency pull-off.
- Reduces vehicle conflict points.
- Improves traffic flow with less lane switching.
Challenges
- May increase traffic delays.
- Without traffic controls it may reduce gaps in traffic for pedestrians to cross.
- Potential of buses blocking travel lanes.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.
Flashing yellow arrows
Flashing yellow arrows allow motorists to make left turns after yielding to oncoming traffic.
Benefits
- Reduces vehicle delay with more opportunities to make a left turn.
- Typically used during times of day with lower traffic volumes.
Challenges
- Flashing yellow arrow phase is at the same time as the walk phase for pedestrians.
- Arrows need a dedicated turn lane for full safety benefit.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.
Dedicated turn lanes
Dedicated turn lanes allow turning vehicles to exit the through traffic lane then slow down to find an appropriate gap in traffic and a make turning movement.
Benefits
- Reduces delay and queuing of vehicles at intersections.
- Increases the capacity of a roadway or intersection.
- Reduces the number of rear-end and sideswipe crashes.
- Improves traffic flow.
Challenges
- Increases crossing width for pedestrians.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.
Pedestrian lighting
Pedestrian lighting is illumination of the roadway and pedestrian surfaces from light fixtures.
Benefits
- Reduction in nighttime fatal crashes of up to 65% for vehicles and up to 52% for pedestrians (National Cooperative Highway Research Program).
- Improved visibility of intersections and crossings.
- Increased security and reduced crime.
Challenges
- Lighting should be positioned at the approach of all intersections which can result in bright spots.
- Lighting levels needed for high traffic roadways can shed light pollution on adjacent residential areas.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.
- Safe pedestrian accommodations.
- Welcoming streetscape.
- Public safety.
3/4 access
3/4 access are intersections that eliminate left and through movements from the minor roadway, movements that are hazardous as vehicles need to find a gap in both directions of traffic.
Benefits
- Reduces conflict points.
- Reduces left turn and right-angle crashes.
- Discourages prohibited movements.
Challenges
- May increase travel time.
- Driver compliance with restricted movements.
- Requires a cross section with a sufficiently wide median to provide turning space while also restricting movements.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.
Right-in/Right-out
Right-in/right-out intersections restrict traffic entering and exiting the minor roadway to a right turn only. Vehicles are unable to turn left from any approach and through movements are also prohibited from the minor roadway. They are applicable where left-in or left-out movements create an operational or safety problem. The left turn movements are restricted by a channelizing island.
Benefits
- Reduces conflict points.
- Reduces left turn and right-angle crashes.
- Discourages prohibited movements.
Challenges
- May increase travel time.
- Driver compliance with restricted movements.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.