Best lane drop configuration?

[ran4sh]

Right lane becomes exit only

2nd-from-right lane becomes option lane for exit or thru. This means that exiting traffic does not need to move right, in order to avoid conflict with thru traffic moving left.

3rd-from-right lane, and any lane to its left, continues thru.

Note that I don't say "left lane" because these are all equally applicable to lane reductions of 3 to 2, or 4 to 3, or 5 to 4, or 6 to 5, or 7 to 6.

[fillup420]

I can think of a scenario where using an exit only lane would be undesirable: when there's plans to continue the widening further, since this would complicate the extension.

Funny you say that. Near where I live, I-40 drops from three to two lanes westbound at US 15/501. Originally, the left lane ended just beyond the interchange. It was then reconfigured to become Right Lane Exit Only to US 15/501, this was done due to frequent backups during peak times. In my opinion, traffic seems to flow better with the new configuration. But none of this will matter soon because of the widening project to extend the third lane all the way to the JCT with I-85.

[sprjus4]

^ I suppose it depends on the area on a case-by-case basis. If a decent amount of traffic is exiting, then it's a good approach. If it's a rural exit with little traffic... bad idea.

[webny99]

Regarding the NC example, I'd be curious if the exit only lane moves a lot faster than the other lanes when it's backed up, and if so, does traffic cutting from the exit only lane to the through lane at the last second cause problems? If that was part of my commute, I would sure be tempted to stay in the exit only lane as long as possible.