Navigation for Pedestrians & Bicyclists
Pedestrians and bicyclists move through this type of intersection generally the same as a conventional one. For those crossing the main street, they will follow a diagonal crossing and proceed under pedestrian signals that indicate when it’s safe to cross.
A thru-cut intersection is a variation of the typical
reduced conflict intersection. A thru-cut intersection works best when the side road at an intersection is congested due to increased traffic volumes at certain times of the day. This contemporary design reduces delays at intersections and allows people to reach their destinations sooner.
Navigating a Thru-Cut Intersection
With a thru-cut intersection, drivers on the side road do not go straight – they turn either left or right under a traffic signal. If they wish to cross the main road, they turn right first; then either make a safe U-turn or turn left at nearby cross street to reach their intended destination. See illustration below.
Drivers on the main corridor at the same intersection may go in any direction when it’s their turn under the traffic signal. See illustration below.
Note: For simplicity, traffic signals and crosswalks are not shown in the illustration.
Benefits of a Thru-Cut Intersection
This innovative intersection offers several benefits. One is the design can be more cost-effective and less impactful to surrounding properties, than the alternative of adding lanes to improve traffic capacity. Other advantages include:
- Increases the flow of traffic at an intersection
- Requires fewer traffic lights, which reduces delays