While starting to narrate my Louisiana photos, I found a Michigan left: LA 45 at Lapalco Blvd. (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Lapalco+Boulevard,+Harvey,+LA&sll=30.014595,-91.820319&sspn=0.007692,0.018089&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lapalco+Blvd,+Harvey,+Louisiana&ll=29.874997,-90.097514&spn=0.003851,0.009044&t=k&z=17). I couldn't find another thread on this, so put your findings here!
I don't know if I heard about this here or somewhere else, but
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/072710dnmetleftturn.416f9bf.html
Why not? Like roundabouts, once people get used to them, they make perfect sense.
Wisconsin, in particular, needs to adopt them. They have a ton of divided boulevards and highways with left turns made at the intersection that holds up traffic flow.
Loop 360 in Austin, Texas is a 13.987-mile 4-lane divided arterial with at-grade signalized intersections. It is known for traffic backups during rush hour (the entire city of Austin is known for bad traffic congestion for that matter). TxDOT is considering converting most of the intersections to Michigan Lefts.
Quote from: JREwing78 on September 19, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
Why not? Like roundabouts, once people get used to them, they make perfect sense.
Wisconsin, in particular, needs to adopt them. They have a ton of divided boulevards and highways with left turns made at the intersection that holds up traffic flow.
Ditto with Illinois. The divided highways here are a nightmare with the dedicated left turn signals.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=41.992264,-88.046075&spn=0.005965,0.011877&t=m&z=17&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=41.992155,-88.046106&panoid=lxVj9w007NxJ-jOokgj5pg&cbp=12,102.63,,0,4.07
The Elgin-O'Hare Expressway at illinois 53. I have no idea why IDOT didn't make an interchange with 53 to provide better access to I290. The stopping to transfer highways is an unnecessary delay.
Quote from: BlueNacho on December 04, 2011, 12:03:45 AM
http://maps.google.com/?ll=41.992264,-88.046075&spn=0.005965,0.011877&t=m&z=17&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=41.992155,-88.046106&panoid=lxVj9w007NxJ-jOokgj5pg&cbp=12,102.63,,0,4.07
The Elgin-O'Hare Expressway at illinois 53. I have no idea why IDOT didn't make an interchange with 53 to provide better access to I290. The stopping to transfer highways is an unnecessary delay.
There's a reason IDOT gets its nickname.
I'm not sure this qualifies because the right turn is the only turn. In Bordentown, NJ, traffic on Ward Avenue wanting to go south on either US-130 or US-206 has to make a right, then make a U-turn further up the road. But the right turn is the only way you can go because Ward Avenue ends there–for that matter, if you want to go straight (onto Elizabeth Street), you still have to make the right and then the U-turn. So it's probably not a true "Michigan left" but the concept is roughly the same.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=40.151096,-74.699221&spn=0.006273,0.016512&t=m&z=17&vpsrc=6
I remember when I was a kid we used to stop at that diner for lunch going to or from visits to our grandparents in Brooklyn and we thought it was the weirdest thing how you couldn't turn left normally.
Wisconsin is starting to implement Michigan Lefts in a few locations. WisDOT calls them J-turns on its website. Two I know of that are being planned are on WIS 29 just west of US 41 in Green Bay and on US 53 south of Superior.
I think Austin is taking the right approach by applying Michigan lefts along a major arterial (12 intersections along a 14.3 mile stretch) and not just a single intersection. Plano, Texas just recently installed a Michigan left at a single intersection in the city and after over a year of operation people still seem to be confused.
It would be a radical change in Austin when 12 major intersections are converted to Michigan lefts but at least drivers would know what to expect. Drivers would quickly associate "The Loop" to "Crazy Michigan Lefts" .
Another major problem is the public perceptions to the benefits of Michigan lefts are negligible when only a single intersection is converted along an arterial. The intersection may carry 30% more capacity but tell that to the guy stuck in a backup a mile down the road waiting for a 4-phase traffic signal to turn green. After the installation of Michigan lefts at the intersection of Preston & Legacy in Plano, a 13-mile drive on Preston Drive during the PM rush might take 23.5 minutes vs. 25 minutes before the installation.
There's a signalized Michigan left of sorts at the intersection of State Street and 12300 South in Draper, a suburb of Salt Lake. Here's the "thru-turn" project website: LINK (http://www.udot.utah.gov/thruturn/)
Quote from: CL on December 04, 2011, 04:55:59 PM
There's a signalized Michigan left of sorts at the intersection of State Street and 12300 South in Draper, a suburb of Salt Lake. Here's the "thru-turn" project website: LINK (http://www.udot.utah.gov/thruturn/)
Wow, that's rather interesting.
Quote from: JREwing78 on September 19, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
Why not? Like roundabouts, once people get used to them, they make perfect sense.
Wisconsin, in particular, needs to adopt them. They have a ton of divided boulevards and highways with left turns made at the intersection that holds up traffic flow.
There's an intersection about a mile from my house that has a Michigan left in only one direction on the main road, and the direction that doesn't have it backs up horribly during rush hours. Problem is, there's no land available on either side of the road to create the extra lane needed.
Hey SidS1045.
I'm curious what intersection you are talking about. I'm interested in finding as many examples of Michigan Lefts outside of Michigan that i can. Thanks!
Hilliard-Cemetery Rd ends at a RIRO on Trueman Blvd just north of Cemetery Rd / Fishinger Blvd signal in Hilliard. There's a u-turn north of the intersection, to facilitate Hilliard-Cemetery Rd to SB Trueman Blvd (and on to Cemetery Rd and I-270) but there's no u-turn before or at the traffic light to facilitate SB Trueman blvd to Hilliard-Cemetery Rd.
There is a Michigan Left between Lowry City and Osceola, MO along Hwy 13.
A Michigan Left in Brazilia, Brazil:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FMichigan%2520Lefts%2FMichiganLeftinBraziliaBrazil.jpg&hash=bc603d6700e538924adc4deb2f176b4b8fd6a3e9)
There are at least 3 on US 65 south of Buffalo, MO
Quote from: US71 on August 22, 2012, 10:01:15 PM
There are at least 3 on US 65 south of Buffalo, MO
If you're forced to turn right, even to go straight across US 65, it's not a Michigan left.
Quote from: NE2 on August 22, 2012, 10:02:53 PM
Quote from: US71 on August 22, 2012, 10:01:15 PM
There are at least 3 on US 65 south of Buffalo, MO
If you're forced to turn right, even to go straight across US 65, it's not a Michigan left.
What would you call this then?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michiganhighways.org%2Fimages%2Fmichigan_left.gif&hash=ae334c36f73ee93cab242234514a7b6860f23992)
A Michigan left. Because you can go straight across US 31.
Quote from: NE2 on August 22, 2012, 10:49:40 PM
A Michigan left. Because you can go straight across US 31.
Works the same on US 65, so what's the difference? Have you even BEEN to Missouri?
I see what NE2 is saying, but I would still call the Missouri ones Michigan Lefts. (Perhaps they're Michigan Lefts with a little something extra.) To me the defining characteristic of a Michigan left is the U-turns downstream, which are identical to those of a "true" Michigan left.
Why would the fact that you also have to use those U-turns for the straight movement disqualify it from being a Michigan left? (Or should we start calling Michigan lefts with no median break Missouri lefts?)
ETA: The map layer and satellite layer on Google maps don't match. I'm assuming the satellite layer is the correct one?
Quote from: US71 on August 23, 2012, 12:05:02 AM
Quote from: NE2 on August 22, 2012, 10:49:40 PM
A Michigan left. Because you can go straight across US 31.
Works the same on US 65, so what's the difference?
You must be talking about different interchanges than I am, because this (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=37.51713,-93.137112&spn=0.007591,0.016512&gl=us&t=k&z=17) is certainly not a Michigan left. It's just a median closure with a couple U-turns.
If you were to draw the red and green arrows from the US 31 diagram on to the map of US 65, you'd see that the left turns do in fact work exactly the same. The only movement that's not identical to a Michigan left is the straight across on the crossroad.
Sometimes a picture can be worth a thousand words (all these examples can be found along Big Beaver Road in Troy, Michigan).
Michigan Left intersection:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FMichigan%2520Lefts%2FBigBeaverCrooksMichiganLeft.jpg&hash=231002276ee099285c7f236432b357823eddce7e)
Superstreet intersection with direct left turns from the major road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FMichigan%2520Lefts%2FBigBeaverLakeviewSuperstreet.jpg&hash=530fb7266d6c921fc82ef19c03b522890dafc41f)
Superstreet intersection with no direct left turns.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FMichigan%2520Lefts%2FSuperstreetBigBeaverTroyCenter.jpg&hash=e0316f038bfe50f30d41165caaa91c19371020e1)
So US 65 is an example of a superstreet and not Michigan lefts, precisely because there's no median crossing?
Quote from: Kacie Jane on August 23, 2012, 01:10:30 AM
If you were to draw the red and green arrows from the US 31 diagram on to the map of US 65, you'd see that the left turns do in fact work exactly the same. The only movement that's not identical to a Michigan left is the straight across on the crossroad.
Exactly. But it's illogical to use the same term for two configurations, one of which is extremely common and the other of which is relatively rare, especially outside Michigan.
Post Merge: August 26, 2012, 12:21:26 AM
Quote from: Kacie Jane on August 23, 2012, 01:24:40 AM
So US 65 is an example of a superstreet and not Michigan lefts, precisely because there's no median crossing?
Yes, though there's probably an anal distinction between superstreets and older similar configurations, like with roundabouts vs. circles.
Quote from: NE2 on August 23, 2012, 02:07:23 AM
Quote from: Kacie Jane on August 23, 2012, 01:24:40 AM
So US 65 is an example of a superstreet and not Michigan lefts, precisely because there's no median crossing?
Yes, though there's probably an anal distinction between superstreets and older similar configurations, like with roundabouts vs. circles.
For one thing US 65 isn't a street. Remember when we discussed this, at length, for several months? :P
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 23, 2012, 02:28:00 AM
Quote from: NE2 on August 23, 2012, 02:07:23 AM
Quote from: Kacie Jane on August 23, 2012, 01:24:40 AM
So US 65 is an example of a superstreet and not Michigan lefts, precisely because there's no median crossing?
Yes, though there's probably an anal distinction between superstreets and older similar configurations, like with roundabouts vs. circles.
For one thing US 65 isn't a street. Remember when we discussed this, at length, for several months? :P
Perhaps it's not a street (debatable), but that doesn't change the type of intersection. After all, Missouri isn't in Michigan; by the same reasoning, it shouldn't be called a Michigan left either.
Here are a couple of videos down Big Beaver Road that demonstrate how a combination of Michigan lefts and superstreets can provide good two-way progression.
Offpeak Drive (runnin a low cycle length)Rush Hour Drive (running a high cycle length)(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FRandom%2FBigBeaver.jpg&hash=9798848697ed2316d8da2beebf54015fa3ea8be0)
Michigan left intersections are represented by red dots in the aerial and are spaced 1-mile apart. The green dots represent superstreet intersections. Although there are many randomly spaced superstreet intersections they can easily be coordinated to the main-intersections since superstreets only stop one direction of travel. It is crucial to have equal distances between major intersections (the red dots) when trying to achieve 2-way progression. Cities like Atlanta or Boston which have a rats nest of arterials would be very difficult to achieve good 2-way progression (major intersections are randomly spaced). On the other hand, cities like Phoenix and Toronto with their very defined grid networks have the potential to achieve good 2-way progression.
Now time for some simple math. At 45 mph (the speed limit on Big Beaver) it takes 80 seconds to travel 1-mile. To achieve good 2-way progression a cycle length of 1x or 2x the travel time between the major signals being coordinated should be selected. In this example, a cycle length that achieves good 2-way progression would be either 80 seconds (1X travel time between signals spaced 1-mile apart) or 160 seconds (2X travel time between signals spaced 1-mile apart). Now cut the distance in half and signals spaced only 0.5 miles apart have a desired cycle length of 40 seconds or 80 seconds. Unfortunately, even for a simple 2-phased signal an 80 second cycle isn't an efficient cycle length to run during rush hour (lost time due to yellow and all red safety minimums for each phase and time for drivers to start rolling at the start of green leads to too much waisted time). Unfortunately, there are a lot of high speed arterials in America that have irregularly spaced traffic signals stopping both directions of travel (often spaced ½ mile apart)...a worst case scenario for achieving good 2-way progression.
Here's what a time-distance diagram of Big Beaver Road would look like when running an 80 second dial:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FRandom%2FBigBeaverCoordination.jpg&hash=044542fda32952c4ea0a764e10f9d77e25695b39)
Michigan Left near downtown Denver (traveling SB Speer Blvd to EB Auraria Pkwy):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mesalek.com%2Fcolo%2Fpicts%2Fdvr_auraria-left.jpg&hash=adfdbecf87a5bdfb9920f9124af636930c29e6da)
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7480317,-105.003232,152m/data=!3m1!1e3
Quote from: tradephoric on July 20, 2014, 03:22:18 PM
Michigan Left near downtown Denver (traveling SB Speer Blvd to EB Auraria Pkwy):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mesalek.com%2Fcolo%2Fpicts%2Fdvr_auraria-left.jpg&hash=adfdbecf87a5bdfb9920f9124af636930c29e6da)
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7480317,-105.003232,152m/data=!3m1!1e3
Looks like a candidate for Redesign This
Quote from: vtk on July 20, 2014, 11:19:02 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on July 20, 2014, 03:22:18 PM
Michigan Left near downtown Denver (traveling SB Speer Blvd to EB Auraria Pkwy):
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7480317,-105.003232,152m/data=!3m1!1e3
Looks like a candidate for Redesign This
This is the best I could come up with. I really like Denver's arrow so I sort of kept that:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1xVoMfA.png&hash=bb74f59a13a1e3b98ab03b3a5b6663d914281706)
Draper, Utah has a Michigan Left with some unique signage:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.panoramio.com%2Fphotos%2Fmedium%2F84468963.jpg&hash=6a9138dd2f985a69bc83810fa029b3f9b0c907e5)
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5266827,-111.8885979,150m/data=!3m1!1e3
Here is a combination of a continuous t-intersection and a median-u-turn with a bulb out. Never seen anything like this before in Michigan.
Draper, Utah crossover:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FRandom%2Fcontinuoust-intersection-Thruturn_zpsd3fd8484.jpg&hash=15c056e025fc12ba64bfd79549206828baad5cb0) (http://s478.photobucket.com/user/tradephoric/media/Transportation%20Pictures/Random/continuoust-intersection-Thruturn_zpsd3fd8484.jpg.html)
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5250312,-111.8888693,97m/data=!3m1!1e3
There is a Michigan Left in Fishers, Indiana. It sounds like it has been well received.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcurrentinfishers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F11%2FCurrent-7288-Edit.jpg&hash=e9303b05436380b6671271e3485f51967d84798c)
http://fox59.com/2013/11/08/fishers-drivers-like-michigan-left-turn/
Just experienced my first Michigan left ever...in Metairie, Louisiana. Funny thing is I commented to the guy next to me on the bus that what we were doing was called a "Michigan left", and guess where the gentleman was from. Yup..Michigan.
Signage for a superstreet intersection in Mexico:
(//www.aaroads.com/shields/blog/photos/DSC_093000A.jpg)
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2739137,-115.322533,431m/data=!3m1!1e3
The Michigan Left can be found in Tuscon at the intersection of Ina & Oracle (direct lefts are still permitted for NB & SB Oracle Road). Intersection was converted in 2013.
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3370917,-110.9767011,215m/data=!3m1!1e3
Quote from: tradephoric on July 21, 2014, 10:57:34 AM
Here is a combination of a continuous t-intersection and a median-u-turn with a bulb out. Never seen anything like this before in Michigan.
Draper, Utah crossover:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FRandom%2Fcontinuoust-intersection-Thruturn_zpsd3fd8484.jpg&hash=15c056e025fc12ba64bfd79549206828baad5cb0) (http://s478.photobucket.com/user/tradephoric/media/Transportation%20Pictures/Random/continuoust-intersection-Thruturn_zpsd3fd8484.jpg.html)
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5250312,-111.8888693,97m/data=!3m1!1e3
Reminds me of a roundabout with cut-throughs.
Quote from: tradephoric on July 21, 2014, 11:14:29 AM
There is a Michigan Left in Fishers, Indiana. It sounds like it has been well received.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcurrentinfishers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F11%2FCurrent-7288-Edit.jpg&hash=e9303b05436380b6671271e3485f51967d84798c)
http://fox59.com/2013/11/08/fishers-drivers-like-michigan-left-turn/
I'm pretty sure its the first one in Indiana.
Md. 3 (Crain Highway) in Gambrills, Anne Arundel County, has Michigan lefts at the intersection with Waugh Chapel Road (west side) and Riedel Road (east side).
GSV here (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=gambrills+md&ll=39.039045,-76.675065&spn=0.005233,0.008776&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&channel=np&hnear=Gambrills,+Anne+Arundel+County,+Maryland&gl=us&t=h&z=17) (note that Google has missed the U turn ramp on the south side of the intersection, but I can assure you it has been there for several years now).
Median U-Turn Intersection: (AKA MICHIGAN LEFT)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09057/ (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09057/)
Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection: (AKA SUPERSTREET)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09059/ (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09059/)
The MD. 3 example is a Superstreet since through traffic is restricted/rerouted. A "Michigan left" is used to describe the intersection operation as a whole and not just how the left turn movements are made. The big thing to remember is a Michigan Left (intersection) allows through traffic to travel straight through the intersection unimpeded.
Quote from: tradephoric on August 02, 2014, 01:13:40 AM
Median U-Turn Intersection: (AKA MICHIGAN LEFT)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09057/ (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09057/)
Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection: (AKA SUPERSTREET)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09059/ (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/09059/)
The MD. 3 example is a Superstreet since through traffic is restricted/rerouted. A "Michigan left" is used to describe the intersection operation as a whole and not just how the left turn movements are made. The big thing to remember is a Michigan Left (intersection) allows through traffic to travel straight through the intersection unimpeded.
Was not aware of the difference.
But given the above, I think U.S. 29 (Colesville Road) at Md. 193 (University Boulevard) in Four Corners, Silver Spring, Montgomery County (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=20901&hl=en&ll=39.020051,-77.012959&spn=0.005235,0.008819&geocode=+&hnear=Silver+Spring,+Maryland+20901&t=h&z=17) qualifies.
^I'm really intrigued by this design. Colesville Road functions as a Michigan Left and University Blvd functions as a Town Center Intersection (TCI). If this were a typical 4-phase intersection, the splits might look something like this when running a 120 second cycle:
A phase — 50 seconds
B phase — 20 seconds
C phase — 30 seconds
D phase — 20 seconds
(where A=Colesville Thru, B=Colesville LT, C=University Thru, D=University LT).
With the current design, the splits might look something like this:
A phase — 90 seconds
B phase — 30 seconds
(Where A =Colesville Thru, B= University Thru)
Sure, people on Colesville Road are going to complain that they can't make a direct left turn. However, instead of only getting 41% (50/120) green time for Colesville Road and taking multiple cycles to make it through the light, they now are getting 75% (90/120) green time. Removing the left turn phases has a huge effect on increasing input.
Quote from: tradephoric on August 04, 2014, 09:44:12 AM
Sure, people on Colesville Road are going to complain that they can't make a direct left turn. However, instead of only getting 41% (50/120) green time for Colesville Road and taking multiple cycles to make it through the light, they now are getting 75% (90/120) green time. Removing the left turn phases has a huge effect on increasing input.
Agreed. It helped traffic on U.S. 29 (Colesville Road). A lot.
Quote from: JREwing78 on September 19, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
Why not? Like roundabouts, once people get used to them, they make perfect sense.
Wisconsin, in particular, needs to adopt them. They have a ton of divided boulevards and highways with left turns made at the intersection that holds up traffic flow.
Ask and you shall receive...
Two so far: one is on WIS 29 at CTH VV near Green Bay (has all cross traffic take a right-left-right while left-turning from 29 has left-turn "ramps", the other has all turning traffic turn right then left and left turns off WIS 23 at CTH M pass the intersection and turn there as well.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 16, 2014, 09:53:53 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on September 19, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
Why not? Like roundabouts, once people get used to them, they make perfect sense.
Wisconsin, in particular, needs to adopt them. They have a ton of divided boulevards and highways with left turns made at the intersection that holds up traffic flow.
Ask and you shall receive...
Two so far: one is on WIS 29 at CTH VV near Green Bay (has all cross traffic take a right-left-right while left-turning from 29 has left-turn "ramps", the other has all turning traffic turn right then left and left turns off WIS 23 at CTH M pass the intersection and turn there as well.
We just toured that section of Hwy 29/32 west of Green Bay yesterday during the NE Wisconsin meeting. It is very nicely done.
I suspect the locals might have trouble getting on Hwy 29 here during Packers game days, but otherwise this setup should do nicely.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 16, 2014, 09:53:53 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on September 19, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
Why not? Like roundabouts, once people get used to them, they make perfect sense.
Wisconsin, in particular, needs to adopt them. They have a ton of divided boulevards and highways with left turns made at the intersection that holds up traffic flow.
Ask and you shall receive...
Two so far: one is on WIS 29 at CTH VV near Green Bay (has all cross traffic take a right-left-right while left-turning from 29 has left-turn "ramps", the other has all turning traffic turn right then left and left turns off WIS 23 at CTH M pass the intersection and turn there as well.
It's never to late to reply, but 4 years is a long time. :-D
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 16, 2014, 09:53:53 PM
Two so far: one is on WIS 29 at CTH VV near Green Bay (has all cross traffic take a right-left-right while left-turning from 29 has left-turn "ramps", the other has all turning traffic turn right then left and left turns off WIS 23 at CTH M pass the intersection and turn there as well.
Wisconsin doesn't have any Michigan Lefts.
WIS 29 @ CTH VV is a Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection with direct left turns.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ayresassociates.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F06%2FSTH-29-CTH-VV-J-turn_20130720_138-e1401893503450.jpg&hash=58dbc3831af8e89375b14a78eb57fe5c88f718b0)
https://www.google.com/maps/preview?ll=44.57447,-88.16600&z=19&t=h (NOTE: aerial may not be updated to show new design)
I have to disagree with that statement to a point - that is the concept of a Michigan left - with the cross-street being cordoned off as shown making it different.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 18, 2014, 11:01:34 PM
I have to disagree with that statement to a point - that is the concept of a Michigan left - with the cross-street being cordoned off as shown making it different.
The concept, yes, but the direct left turns and cut-off cross street are what differentiate a Michigan Left from a superstreet/RCUT. It derives from the Michigan Left, but isn't.
Yes, my hometown of Port Washington, New York, has some on West Shore Road (Nassau CR 15). The exits for the beaches are only on the northbound side, and turnarounds are used to connect between them and the southbound lanes. See http://goo.gl/maps/TL8ZN. The Ocean Parkway has a similar setup for almost all of its exits, except for the Bay Parkway and the Robert Moses Causeway, which have cloverleaves, and the Wantagh Parkway, which has a traffic circle.
Also, if we're counting highways, then we can include the interchange of US 9 and US 44/NY 55 in Poughkeepsie, New York.
I've been thinking about this for a while, so you all let me know what you think:
The basic concept of the Michigan Left is a roundabout where two of the entry legs do not yield. If the space is available to build a roundabout, why do engineers bother with a Michigan Left?
What I'm looking for is a Michigan Left/roundabout comparison.
Things that come to mind personally, is that Michigan Lefts do not typically require traffic on the major carriageway to slow down, like a roundabout. So perhaps the Michigan left is preferable in a rural environment?
Quote from: jake on August 19, 2014, 11:56:14 AM
I've been thinking about this for a while, so you all let me know what you think:
The basic concept of the Michigan Left is a roundabout where two of the entry legs do not yield. If the space is available to build a roundabout, why do engineers bother with a Michigan Left?
What I'm looking for is a Michigan Left/roundabout comparison.
Things that come to mind personally, is that Michigan Lefts do not typically require traffic on the major carriageway to slow down, like a roundabout. So perhaps the Michigan left is preferable in a rural environment?
There are quite a few traffic circles around village squares in New York and New England where the main road (always state route or higher) does not yield. With low traffic speeds in villages and towns, this setup, while not ideal by modern standards, works well because there is a minimal collision risk. When speeds get above 30 mph, things get dicey. That's where the Michigan Left comes in. Through traffic on both routes is able to pass through without using the U-turn ramps while traffic turning left waits in a dedicated U-turn lane for a break in traffic. In areas that already have a significant amount of development and narrow ROWs, namely New York, New Jersey, and New England, such a setup is impractical to install on an existing road. That is where jughandles come in, because a wide median isn't required.
Quote from: jake on August 19, 2014, 11:56:14 AM
I've been thinking about this for a while, so you all let me know what you think:
The basic concept of the Michigan Left is a roundabout where two of the entry legs do not yield. If the space is available to build a roundabout, why do engineers bother with a Michigan Left?
What I'm looking for is a Michigan Left/roundabout comparison.
Things that come to mind personally, is that Michigan Lefts do not typically require traffic on the major carriageway to slow down, like a roundabout. So perhaps the Michigan left is preferable in a rural environment?
It works great in the urban environment as well, such as along Telegraph Road (US-24) or Eight Mile Road (M-102). There's little to beat it for proper signal progression.
Telegraph Road Progression (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hvUm9vYJYI)
/Mods, what happened to the YouTube embedding? It used to the a [youtube] tag.
Here's a good link looking at the safety and operational benefits of a Median U-Turn Intersection.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/07033/
A Median U-Turn Intersection can lead to a 30% reduction in injury crashes when compared to a conventional intersection. According to a 2000 Institute for Highway Safety study, modern roundabouts reduced injury crashes by 76% when compared to a conventional intersection (more recent studies by WDOT found injury crash reductions of roughly 50%). Michigan Lefts in Metro Detroit are mainly along major 6-8 lane boulevards (with 70,000+ ADT). It's unlikely Michigan Lefts will ever be able to reduce injury accidents as much as a modern roundabout (since traffic can still move through the intersection at 50+ mph as opposed to ~ 25 mph through a roundabout), but they can be a good way to reduce injury crashes along major corridors where roundabouts aren't practical.
Quote from: Brandon on August 19, 2014, 02:06:59 PM
Quote from: jake on August 19, 2014, 11:56:14 AM
I've been thinking about this for a while, so you all let me know what you think:
The basic concept of the Michigan Left is a roundabout where two of the entry legs do not yield. If the space is available to build a roundabout, why do engineers bother with a Michigan Left?
What I'm looking for is a Michigan Left/roundabout comparison.
Things that come to mind personally, is that Michigan Lefts do not typically require traffic on the major carriageway to slow down, like a roundabout. So perhaps the Michigan left is preferable in a rural environment?
It works great in the urban environment as well, such as along Telegraph Road (US-24) or Eight Mile Road (M-102). There's little to beat it for proper signal progression.
Telegraph Road Progression (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hvUm9vYJYI)
/Mods, what happened to the YouTube embedding? It used to the a [youtube] tag.
Seems to be broken now that YouTube - like most of the major sites - uses https now. Will research
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 19, 2014, 09:40:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 19, 2014, 02:06:59 PM
Quote from: jake on August 19, 2014, 11:56:14 AM
I've been thinking about this for a while, so you all let me know what you think:
The basic concept of the Michigan Left is a roundabout where two of the entry legs do not yield. If the space is available to build a roundabout, why do engineers bother with a Michigan Left?
What I'm looking for is a Michigan Left/roundabout comparison.
Things that come to mind personally, is that Michigan Lefts do not typically require traffic on the major carriageway to slow down, like a roundabout. So perhaps the Michigan left is preferable in a rural environment?
It works great in the urban environment as well, such as along Telegraph Road (US-24) or Eight Mile Road (M-102). There's little to beat it for proper signal progression.
Telegraph Road Progression (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hvUm9vYJYI)
/Mods, what happened to the YouTube embedding? It used to the a [youtube] tag.
Seems to be broken now that YouTube - like most of the major sites - uses https now. Will research
You all are copying the link from the "share" button, right? I'm on Tapatalk right now so I can't test it.
works fine - here it is - http is the way - you'll have to drop that s for now
A sad name for the new intersections in WI: a "J-Turn"???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4FBgagbpyg&list=PLB3995DECC4B6C61A
An update on the Michigan Left in Plano, Texas. The city has decided to remove the Michigan left at the intersection of Preston Road and Legacy Drive due to public opposition. According to the city, 95% of the calls they received about the intersection were negative.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 21, 2014, 02:00:51 AM
A sad name for the new intersections in WI: a "J-Turn"???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4FBgagbpyg&list=PLB3995DECC4B6C61A
I've heard the Restricted Crossing U-Turn Intersection referred to as either a J-turn or a superstreet intersection.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 21, 2014, 02:00:51 AM
A sad name for the new intersections in WI: a "J-Turn"???
If I was selling the idea to areas far away from Michigan, I wouldn't call them a Michigan Left either. J-turn makes sense to me, since the only other obvious choice is U-turn, which is technically correct but probably sells the wrong concept to the people.
Median U-turn is nice but a bit lengthy. Roundabout works so well because it's easy to say and catchy. ThrU-turn only makes sense when properly punctuated, which is a failure when trying to spread the concept on social media (sooo many capital-less sentences).
J-turn is a step in the right direction, but we need to come up with a term that is catchy and hyphen-less. Something that could be trademarked (not that we ever would, of course).
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 19, 2014, 09:45:32 PM
works fine - here it is - http is the way - you'll have to drop that s for now
Watching this video was really something. Going through 15 traffic lights on a two-way street without hitting a light. Imagine if other areas would incorporate Michigan Lefts and signal progression in such a fashion. It would lessen the need for new expressways and really put a dent in traffic.
Quote from: mrsman on August 24, 2014, 07:10:23 AM
Watching this video was really something. Going through 15 traffic lights on a two-way street without hitting a light. Imagine if other areas would incorporate Michigan Lefts and signal progression in such a fashion. It would lessen the need for new expressways and really put a dent in traffic.
Here are some other corridors in Metro Detroit that utilize Michigan lefts:
Good signal progression is possible in metro Detroit due to the heavy use of Michigan lefts. For example, Telegraph Road utilizes Michigan lefts from Eureka Road to Orchard Lake Road (a 30 mile stretch of road). The annoyance of not being able to make a direct left is offset by the fact you just drove 10 miles without getting stuck at a red light.
Cities outside of Michigan are starting to incorporate the Michigan left, but only at spot intersections. The problem with this approach is drivers still experience poor signal progression since all the surrounding signals are likely conventional 4-phase signals with inefficient left turn phases. Drivers are annoyed they can't make a direct left and they still stuck at every other red light along the corridor (lose-lose scenario). The Michigan left at Preston & Legacy in Plano only lasted for a few years before public opposition forced the city to convert it back to a conventional intersection. A city really needs to focus on converting an entire corridor before the benefits of good signal progression will be apparent. Cities may be setting themselves up for failure when they only do spot improvements.
Median U-Turn at U.S. 280 and Valleydale/Cahaba Beach Road near Birmingham, Alabama:
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4200923,-86.6947249,213m/data=!3m1!1e3
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on July 21, 2014, 11:37:10 AM
Just experienced my first Michigan left ever...in Metairie, Louisiana. Funny thing is I commented to the guy next to me on the bus that what we were doing was called a "Michigan left", and guess where the gentleman was from. Yup..Michigan.
Here's an examples of a Median U-Turn at Metairie Ave and Cleary Ave in Metairie, Louisiana. It's a bit of a poor man's version as there is no lane to queue in for crossover traffic.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.98201,-90.17026&z=18&t=h&output=classic&dg=brw
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 19, 2014, 09:40:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 19, 2014, 02:06:59 PM
Quote from: jake on August 19, 2014, 11:56:14 AM
I've been thinking about this for a while, so you all let me know what you think:
The basic concept of the Michigan Left is a roundabout where two of the entry legs do not yield. If the space is available to build a roundabout, why do engineers bother with a Michigan Left?
What I'm looking for is a Michigan Left/roundabout comparison.
Things that come to mind personally, is that Michigan Lefts do not typically require traffic on the major carriageway to slow down, like a roundabout. So perhaps the Michigan left is preferable in a rural environment?
It works great in the urban environment as well, such as along Telegraph Road (US-24) or Eight Mile Road (M-102). There's little to beat it for proper signal progression.
Telegraph Road Progression (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hvUm9vYJYI)
/Mods, what happened to the YouTube embedding? It used to the a [youtube] tag.
Seems to be broken now that YouTube - like most of the major sites - uses https now. Will research
HTTPS videos from Youtube now work. :)
A unique Michigan left in Juarez, Mexico with collector/express lanes.
https://www.google.com/maps/@31.6430292,-106.3890158,591a,20y,41.32t/data=!3m1!1e3