The Feasibility and Operational Performance of Implementation Median U-turn Intersections: A CRITIC Method

Abstract

Currently, a growing number of cities are adopting the Median-U-Turn (MUT) intersection design to enhance road capacity and traffic efficiency. The critical question in selecting the right intersection design is how significantly the implementation of MUT can enhance intersection performance, focusing on three key aspects: intersection efficiency, capacity, and the environmental impact of the design. To address this question, an evaluation of operational performance under various prevailing conditions (roadway and control) was conducted using VISSIM, a microscopic simulation platform. This evaluation involved five scenarios: conventional intersections (with increased cycle length, grade separation with a signalized at-grade intersection, grade separation with a roundabout), MUT, and signalized crossover MUT at a dense urban arterial intersection in Amman, Jordan's capital. The performance was compared using several metrics: average control delay, number of stops, average travel speed and time, average stopped delay, Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions, fuel consumption, and vehicle safety. The Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) technique was subsequently used to select the optimal design. The findings indicate that the existing intersection configuration is the least effective, while the MUT with signals at the crossing U-turn points is the most efficient solution.