I, I P F: Branch

INTERSECTIONS, INTERCHANGES AND PARKING FACILITIES
INTERSECTIONS AT GRADE
Simple intersections at grade consist of a junction 3, 4 or more road approaches.
Branch
An offshoot of a main-travelled highway, and usually has a small deflection angle.
T – Intersection
Two approaches intersect at nearby equal angles.
Y – Intersection
Three approaches intersect at nearly equal angles.
Flared Intersection
Consists of additional pavement width or additional traffic lanes at the intersection area.
Islands and Channels

Traffic Islands or Pavement Markings may be used at intersections to facilitate the safe and orderly flow
of vehicles and pedestrians.
Purposes of Islands in an Intersection

 Separation of conflicts
 Control of angle conflict
 Reduction of excessive pavement areas
 Regulation of traffic flow in the intersection area
 Arrangements to favor a predominant turning movement
 Protection of pedestrians
 Protection and storage of turning and crossing vehicle
 Location of traffic control devices.
Three Major Classes of Islands
Directional Islands
Designed primarily to guide the motorist through the intersection by indicating the intended
route.
Divisional Islands
Serve to alert the driver to the intersection and regulate the flow of traffic into and out of the
intersection.
Refuge Island
Located at or near crosswalks to aid and protect pedestrians crossing the roadway.
“Islands should be visible to drivers for a sufficient distance to allow appropriate response. They should not be
used on or near the crest or vertical curves or where sight distance is restricted due to horizontal curvature.”
Traffic Circles Versus Roundabouts

Traffic Circle
An intersection with a raised circular island in the center.
“Traffic circles reduce the number of vehicle conflict points in an intersection.”
Modern Roundabouts
Type of traffic circle which include a smaller central island radius resulting in lower permitted operating
speeds, a yield-at-entry requirement, and physical geometry.
Railroad Grade Intersections

Considerations must be given to approach grades, sight distance, drainage, volume of vehicular traffic
and the frequency of regular train movements at the particular intersection.
“Railroad grade separation structures may consist of an overpass on which the highway is carried over the
railroad or an underpass that carries the highway under the railroad.”
Intersection Sight Distance

This allows drivers to perceive the presence of potentially conflicting vehicles in sufficient time for a
motorist to stop, adjust speed, or wait in an effort to avoid colliding in the intersection.
To safely design for intersection sight distance, sufficient clear space must be available for:
 A left-turn vehicle to cross safely
 A right-turn vehicle to accelerate and enter the traffic stream without interfering with vehicles
 A crossing maneuver
GRADE SEPARATIONS AND INTERCHANGES

“A grade-separated intersection is formed when the roadways that meet at the intersection are
separated in the vertical plane to eliminate crossing conflicts.”
If one road is carried over or under another by means of bridge, but without connections between them,
the facility is called a Grade Separation
An Interchange is a grade separation with connectors to facilitate turning movements in one or more
quadrants. These connecting interchanges are called RAMPS.
Six Main Types of Interchanges
T and Y Interchanges
The trumpet interchange has been found suitable for orthogonal or skewed intersections.
One – Quadrant Interchanges

This configuration is convenient to reduce conflicts at the immediate location where the two
major roads cross. It is suitable for low volume locations with few vehicles such as a parkway
interchange.
Diamond Interchanges
The major flow grade is separated, with turning movements and from the minor flow achieved
by diverging and merging movements with through traffic on the minor flow.
Single – Point Urban Interchanges
All through and left turn movements converge into a single, signalized intersection area instead
of the two separate intersection normally found.
Partial and Full Cloverleaf

The more conventional arrangement of the full cloverleaf eliminates at-grade crossings of all
traffic streams for both minor and major roads. The ramps may be one-way, two-way, two-way
separated or two-way unseparated.’
Directional Interchanges
Used whenever one freeway joins or intersects another freeway. Experience has revealed
operational problems associated with left-hand entrance and exit ramps.
Design of Ramps and Turning Roadways
Turning Roadway
A connecting roadway for traffic turning between two legs of an intersection.
“The design speeds for turning roadways are considerably lower than
for the open highway but be as high as practicable.”
“AASHTO recommends friction factors of 0.32, 0.23, and 0.18 for design
speeds of 15, 25, and 35 mph, respectively”
“When compound curves are used, it is preferred that the ratio of the flatter radius to the sharper radius not
exceed 1.75. Where that ratio exceeds 2, a spiral transition should be placed between the two curves.”
“Gradients for turning roadways should be as flat as feasible and generally

should not exceed 6 percent.”
DESIGN OF PARKING FACILITIES
Location of Off-Street Parking Facilities

The most important aspect of parking facility planning and design is the CHOICE OF A SITE.
“Preferably, parking lots and garages should be located on or near major arterials; garages should have
access to two or more streets.
“To alleviate parkers’ fear for their personal security, pedestrian walkways should be well-lighted, suitably
marked, and free of blind corners.”
Layout of Parking Lots and Garages

Preferably, a parking lot or garage should be rectangular, with cars parked on both sides of access
aisles.
“If space permits, it is desirable to provide pedestrian sidewalks between adjacent lines of parking cars. When
sidewalks are provided, it is necessary to install wheel stops to prevent vehicle encroachment.”
The best parking layout for a given site, will depend primarily on these characteristics:
 Size and shape of available area
 Type of facility (attendant, self park)
 Type of parker (especially long term versus short term)
 Type of operation (pull-in, back-in, one-way, two-way, etc.)
Parking Garage Criteria

Single entrances and exits, with multiple lanes, are preferable to several openings. Entrances and exits
should be located away from street intersections to prevent congestion on the street.
Curb Parking
A curb or kerb is the edge where raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, road median, or road
shoulder meets an unraised street or other roadway.
“It is recommended that curb parking be prohibited along major streets. Where permitted, curb parking should
be regulated to minimize its effect on crashes and congestion and to ensure that available parking spaces are
used appropriately and efficiently.”
Basic Type of Curb Stalls
End Stalls
Situated adjacent to intersections, alleys, driveways and other restricted areas.
Interior Stalls
Usually 22ft long, providing approximately 4.5ft between adjacent cars for maneuvering.
Paired Parking
Frequently used in conjuction with double parking meters, that is, two meters installed in a single post.
“Curb parking stalls are designated by white lines extending out from the curb a distance, typically 7ft. These
should not be placed closer than 20ft to the nearest sidewalk edge at nonsignalized intersections.”
“Parking stalls should not be placed closer than 15ft from fire hydrants and driveways.”
The End

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INTERSECTIONS, INTERCHANGES AND PARKING FACILITIES

Islands and Channels

Purposes of Islands in an Intersection

Three Major Classes of Islands

Traffic Circles Versus Roundabouts

“Traffic circles reduce the number of vehicle conflict points in an intersection.”

Railroad Grade Intersections

Intersection Sight Distance

GRADE SEPARATIONS AND INTERCHANGES

Six Main Types of Interchanges

One – Quadrant Interchanges

Partial and Full Cloverleaf

Design of Ramps and Turning Roadways

“Gradients for turning roadways should be as flat as feasible and generally

DESIGN OF PARKING FACILITIES

Location of Off-Street Parking Facilities

Layout of Parking Lots and Garages

Parking Garage Criteria

Basic Type of Curb Stalls

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