FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Springfield Public Works will test out the safety benefits of a new right-turn lane design with a pilot study at the intersection of Battlefield Road and Campbell Avenue beginning Tuesday, July 26.
Crash history shows that motorists traveling in the right turn lane are much more likely to be involved in a rear-end crash than when traveling in any other lane. When several of Springfield’s busiest intersections were built, large-radius turn lanes were standard, allowing traffic to merge swiftly. However, crash data has since shown that turns with a large radius allow faster approach speeds and cause drivers to lose sight of the vehicle in front of them, resulting in rear-end crashes.
Through the voter-approved 1/8-cent Transportation Sales Tax, funding has been designated to make safety and capacity improvements to several Springfield intersections, with the goal of increasing right-turn lane safety.
A new intersection design recommended by the Federal Highway Administration reflecting a tighter angle will be tested out at Battlefield and Campbell. Temporary rumble strips simulating a new curb line will be installed on the right-turn lane approaches on the northeast and southwest corners – turns with a traditionally high frequency of crashes. This new design also accommodates wide-turning vehicles like semi-trucks and trailers.
“After several months, a crash study will be conducted comparing crashes before and after the installation,” said Public Works Traffic Safety Professional Mandy Buettgen-Quinn. “We will also evaluate the effect of the modified design on crashes, traffic flow, pedestrian safety and truck traffic. This information will assist with the future redesign of major intersections in a way that best suits our community.”
For more information, please contact Kristen Milam at (573) 819-3713 or Mandy Buettgen-Quinn at (417) 864-1801.