Evaluation of Staggered and Cross Intersections

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of two types of staggered intersections compared with a four‐leg cross intersection, with the aim of analyzing the safety and operational characteristics of the intersection layout. The advantages of the staggered intersection are advanced as an alternative layout to the cross intersection. Although the main advantage of a staggered intersection is in safety, this type also has operational advantages in some cases. The safety advantage manifests itself in the need of crossing major road traffic from the minor road to slow down, and in the lower number of conflict points and conflict streams. The operational advantage of a right‐left staggered intersection results from the driver having to cross only one traffic stream with each turn. A quantitative evaluation of different traffic characteristics is carried out. Delays, number of stops, capacity, and geometric delay of the minor road are analyzed for the three types of intersections; the interferences to the major road are also discussed.