Guidelines for the Use of No U-turn and No Left-turn Signs

Report No: 95-R5

Published in 1994

About the report:

The objective of this study was to establish a set of written guidelines identifying traffic and road conditions where No U-Turn and No Left Turn signs should be installed. The effect of these signs on traffic safety was also investigated. A questionnaire was sent to all Virginia Department of Transportation District Traffic Engineers, selected city and county traffic engineers in Virginia, and selected state, city and county traffic engineers outside of Virginia, asking about their current procedures for installing No U-Turn and No Left Turn signs. Eight signalized intersections where these signs had been installed were studied to determine the effect of the signs on left-turn and U-turn related accidents. The signs reduced left-turn and U-turn related accident rates an average of 63 percent for the restricted movement, and 66 percent for the intersection. The decrease in accident numbers paralleled the decrease in accident rates, a 59 percent reduction for the restricted movement and a 62 percent reduction for the intersection. Based on the results from the questionnaire and a literature review, guidelines were established to aid traffic engineers in determining where to install these signs.

Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.

Authors

Last updated: December 18, 2023

Alert Icon

Please note that this file is not ADA compliant. Choose one of below options: