20181598_Att. 22 - Synchronized Streets Flier_20160222

Attachment 22
What is a Synchronized Street?
Formerly called a superstreet, a Synchronized Street provides
for reduced delay and simultaneous coordination of both
main street travel directions at all times of day.
While main street travelers may turn left, right or travel
straight through —just like at a conventional intersection
— side-street travelers who want to cross or turn left at a
Synchronized Street intersection must first turn right and then
make a U-turn to return to their desired route.
The North Carolina Department ofTransportation evaluates
traffic volumes and the number of crashes and collisions at an
intersection.This helps to determine if Synchronized Streets
are the most effective solution for the area.
A Synchronized Street is also referred to in other states and
by the Federal Highway Administration as a J-turn or as a
restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT).
Side Street Left-Turn:
In a conventional intersection, drivers turning left
from a side street create more delay and conflicts. At a
Synchronized Street, they firstjoin the main street flow,
reducing wait times and conflicts.
Conventional
Synchronized Street � �
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Benefits of Synchronized Streets
Synchronized Streets can help alleviate congestion while
increasing travel capacity and reducing the number of
collisions at intersections.
Improved traffic flow is possible by simplifying traffic signal
phasing (e.g., eliminating the need for left-turn signals or
cutting down on the time spent at a traffic light) and allowing
both directions of traffic to move simultaneously.
Redirecting traffic to avoid high-risk movements, such as
through movements, reduces the number of conflict points
— places in intersections where collisions might occur.
Synchronized Streets are also cost effective because they fit
within the existing right of way. Interchanges, by comparison,
are more costly because they can require further land
acquisition and/or bridges, underpasses or access ramps to
fully separate the two roads.
Side Street Cross-Traffic:
In a conventional intersection, drivers crossing the main
street create more delay and conflicts. At a Synchronized
Street, they first join the main street flow, reducing wait
times and conflicts.
Conventional
Synchronized Street �
At a Synchronized Street intersection, instead of going straight or turning left, side-street drivers
first turn right and then make a U-turn (usually 600 to 1,000 feet from the intersection).
For more information, contact Transportation Mobility and Safety at [phone], or visit NCDOT.gov.

NCDOT SYNCHRONIZED STREETS
Safety and Conflict Points
A conventional intersection has 32 conflict points compared to a Synchronized Street, which has 14. Since there are
significantly fewer conflict points in a Synchronized Street, there are fewer opportunities for collisions.
Synchronized Street
14 points of conflict
Conventional
Intersection
32 points of conflict
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Type of conflict:
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Type of conflict:
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For more information, contact Transportation Mobility and Safety at [phone], or visit NCDOT.gov.