Rural Two-Lane Two-Way Three-Leg and Four-Leg Stop-Controlled Intersections: Predicting Road Safety Effects

Abstract

The study focused on grade-level rural two-lane two-way three-leg and two-lane two-way four-leg stop-controlled intersections located in the flat area with a vertical grade of less than 5%. The goal is to calibrate one Safety Performance Function at these intersections by implementing a Generalized Estimating Equation with a binomial distribution and compare to the results with yearly expected crash frequencies by using models mainly refered to the scientific literature. The crash data involved 77 two-lane two-way intersections, of which 25 two-lane two-way three-leg intersections are without a left-turn lane (47 with left-turn lane), 5 two-lane two-way four-leg intersections without a left-turn lane (6 with a left-turn lane). No a right-turn lane is present on the major roads. Explanatory variables used in the Safety Performance Function are the presence or absence of a left-turn lane, mean lane width including approach lane and a left-turn lane width on the major road per travel direction, the number of legs, and the Total Annual Average Daily Traffic entering the intersection. The reliability of the Safety Performance Function was assessed using residuals analysis. A graphic outcome of the Safety Performance Function application has been plotted to easily assess a yearly expected crash frequency by varying the Average Annual Daily Traffic, the number of legs, and the presence or absence of a left-turn lane. The presence of a left-turn lane significantly reduces the yearly expected crash frequency values at intersections.