Safety Evaluation of Offset Improvements for Left-Turn Lanes

Abstract

This study is a safety evaluation of offset improvements for left-turn lanes, a treatment intended to reduce the frequency of crashes by providing better visibility for drivers who are turning left. Geometric, traffic, and crash data were obtained for installations in Nebraska, Florida, and Wisconsin and for a number of untreated reference sites in each state. To account for potential selection bias and regression to the mean, an empirical Bayes before–after analysis was conducted. There was a large difference in observed effects in the three states, which may be explained, in part, by the variety of offset improvements applied. Florida and Nebraska employed pavement-marking adjustments or minor construction to improve the offset, but most improvements did not result in a positive offset. Wisconsin, conversely, reconfigured left-turn lanes through major construction projects and realized significant positive offsets. Wisconsin showed significant reductions in all crash types investigated (total reduction, 34%; injury, 36%; left turn, 38%; and rear end, 32%), while results in Florida and Nebraska showed little or no effect on total crashes. For Nebraska, however, a disaggregate analysis did reveal that the percentage reduction in crashes increases as the expected number of crashes increases. An economic analysis indicated that offset improvement through reconstruction is cost-effective at intersections with at least nine expected crashes per year and in which left-turn lanes are justified by traffic volume warrants.