Background
Reduced Collision U-Turn (RCUT) intersections are a cost-effective way to improve safety at busy highway intersections when traffic volumes do not support an overpass. These intersections are new to Canada, but they have been extensively built in the United States. The US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has listed the RCUT as a proven safety measure in reducing severe accidents at intersections.
Saskatchewan’s first RCUT is being built at the intersection of Highway 16 and the Dalmeny Access Road/Grid 684. The intersection is converting from a two-way stop-controlled crossing to a Reduced Collision U-Turn.
RCUT intersection improvements reduce severe collisions resulting from right-angle (T-bone) collisions.
Highway 16 is part of the national highway system and is a key transportation connection between Dalmeny and the City of Saskatoon. The Dalmeny Access Road is a commuter route as well as an over-dimensional truck bypass route.
This is another step in addressing safety at a busy intersection. In 2013, the Dalmeny Access Road was realigned to intersect with Highway 16 at a right angle with the intent of reducing collision and promoting safety.
How does it work?
- No left turn onto highway.
- Right turn onto highway and U-turn at median opening.
- Never cross all lanes of traffic.
- Helps simplify decision-making for drivers and reduce the potential for serious collisions.
Why does it work?
- Drivers are required to make a safer right turn and then make a U-turn away from the intersection, eliminating the possibility of a severe right-angle collision.
- Drivers focus on one direction of traffic at a time, enhancing their safety.
- Drivers don’t need to wait for a gap in both directions to cross the highway.
Benefits
- Reduce serious and fatal collisions.
- Reduce wait times during peak traffic.
- Large and over-dimension vehicles can navigate the RCUT.
- Acceleration and deceleration lanes like those encountered across Saskatchewan and Canada.
Construction
The first phase of the Dalmeny RCUT opened at the end of September 2023 including:
- Both ramps on the Dalmeny side of Highway 16.
- Saskatoon to Dalmeny (Northeast ramp - #6)
- Dalmeny to North Battleford (Northwest ramp - #7)
- Both U-turns and associated acceleration and deceleration lanes.
- Southwest ramp towards Highway 14 (Hwy 684 /Neault Rd. - #8)
This graphic illustrates the actions drivers take when using an RCUT:
- Use right exit ramp when approaching intersection onto Hwy 16.
- Merge into traffic using acceleration lane.
- Move to the left lane to turn.
- Make a U-turn.
- Merge right using acceleration lane into traffic.
- Take northeast exit ramp to Dalmeny.
Ramps southbound of Highway 16 and direct left from Saskatoon to Dalmeny grid south are scheduled to be open by mid October.