Roadway Cross Section Reconfiguration: Responses to 14 Commonly Asked Questions, TR-818, 2024

(2024) Roadway Cross Section Reconfiguration: Responses to 14 Commonly Asked Questions, TR-818, 2024. Transportation, Department of

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Abstract

The project described in this report was developed in response to a documented need for more readily available guidance related to decision-making about roadway cross section reconfigurations. More specifically, there was a need for information that might help during the decision-making process involved in converting four-lane undivided roadway cross sections to three lanes (four-to three-lane conversion) with one through lane in each direction and a two-way left-turn lane. In response to this need, this project, through consultation with practitioners, identified and developed summary responses to 14 commonly asked questions related to the planning, design, operation, and/or implementation of four- to three-lane conversions. Some of the responses to these questions may also be relevant to the process implemented for other types of conversions and roadway improvements. The summary responses to the questions identified were purposefully kept short and are contained in Appendix A of this report. All responses are also available online and are intended to be separate standalone documents. References for each summary response, if needed by the user of this guidance, are provided in Appendix B of this report. Conclusions and recommendations are summarized in this report based on the tasks completed as part of this project. The conclusions are related to the amount and relevancy of material available on four- to three-lane conversions and how the approach to roadway design and operational analysis is changing overall. Recommendations are made about the potential to answer more questions as they are identified, the development of materials specifically for elected officials, and a possible update of the Iowa guidelines for four- to three-lane conversions as an addendum to the national guidelines.