IJET 2024 Vol.16(2): 120-124
DOI: 10.7763/IJET.2024.V16.1266
Safe U-Turn Management Model Based on Area: A Case Study of Nakhon Ratchasima
Yotsawat Kamol1,*, Sajjakaj Jomnonkwao1, and Onanong Sangphong2
1. Institute of Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
2. Department of Construction Technology, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Email: attapol.km88@gmail.com (Y.K.); sajjakaj@g.sut.ac.th (S.J.); onanong.s@nrru.ac.th (Q.S.)
*Corresponding author
Manuscript received December 6, 2023; revised January 12, 2024; accepted February 23, 2024; published June 13, 2024
Abstract—The appropriate U-turn area management is one of the methods of leveling safe roads. The objective of this research is to study and assess the consistency of physical characteristics of the U-turns with the current traffic flow. The research team has studied 14 U-turn points in Nakhon Ratchasima Province from the survey of physical characteristics, traffic volume, and traffic flow speed. When assessing the effectiveness of U-turns compared to the standard of the length of the awaiting section, in terms of the speed, traffic volume of the conflicting point of the traffic flow, and the standard width of the road medians, it was found that the U-turn point with the length of the awaiting section is sufficient for the current traffic volume, accounting for 35.71%. The road median width is wide enough to allow cars to safely make a U-turn in the innermost lane accounting for 28.57%. Thus, the current data of this study potentially reflect the suitability of U-turns and reality, such as the traffic lane length to reduce speed, areas for waiting queues, U-turn types, etc., by designing a prototype for managing a safe U-turn to propose as a guideline for further development to reduce future accidents all over the place of that U-turn.
Keywords—U-turn, auxiliary lanes, conflict point, capacity
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Cite: Yotsawat Kamol, Sajjakaj Jomnonkwao, and Onanong Sangphong, "Safe U-Turn Management Model Based on Area: A Case Study of Nakhon Ratchasima," International Journal of Engineering and Technology vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 120-124, 2024.
