Cairo University

Faculty of Engineering
Public Works Department

Highways and Airports Engineering

Elective Course

Lecture 4:
Interchange Design

Dr. Dalia Said [email protected] March 2013

– An intersection is an area shared by two or more roads
– Main function is to allow the change of route directions
– It is an area of decision for all drivers and thus requires
additional effort and is a more complicated area for drivers
– Intersections normally perform at levels below those of the rest
of the street or highway and thus control the quality of traffic
flow , and is a source of congestion in urban areans

Other Types of Intersections 2

Types of Intersections

• Intersections can be classified as:

– At-grade: all roads intersect at the same level:
• Conventional
• Roundabouts

– Grade-separated without ramps: uninterrupted cross-flow of

traffic at different levels (over or underpass with no access)
– Grade-separated with ramps ( freeway interchanges)

Other Types of Intersections 3

At-Grade Intersections
– May be three-leg (T or Y), four-leg, or multi-leg

T-intersection
Four-leg intersection

Multi-leg
intersection

Other Types of Intersections 4

Other Types of Intersections: Roundabouts

Roundabouts

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundabout_intersection
Other Types of Intersections 5
Other Types of Intersections: Roundabouts

DXB Dubai - Fish roundabout in Deira :

http://www.tropicalisland.de/united_arab_emirates/dubai/dubai_deira/pages
/DXB%20Dubai%20-%20Fish%20roundabout%20in%20Deira%2001%205340x3400.html
Other Types of Intersections 6
Other Types of Intersections

Merging –
Weaving -
Diverging
Area

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundabout_intersection
Other Types of Intersections 7
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Interchanges

Interchanges are a type of intersection with

grade separations with connecting ramps for
turning movements
Warrants for Interchanges
1. Classification
2. Traffic
3. Safety
4. User Benefits

Other Types of Intersections 8

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Types of interchanges:

-Diamond

-Cloverleaf

-Semi-directional/Directional

-Combinations

Other Types of Intersections 9

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Diamond Interchange

RT

LT

Florida

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 10
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Diamond Interchange

Advantages
•Simplest and cheapest
RT
•Can be used where
intersection can handle left
turns
Disadvantages
•Can not handle higher
volumes

Florida

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 11
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Cloverleaf Interchange
Left turns are handled by loop ramps

Netherlands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 12
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Cloverleaf Interchange

Merging –
Weaving -
Diverging
Area

Netherlands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 13
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Traffic Flow at Entrances and Exits

Weaving Diverging
Merging

Other Types of Intersections 14

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Cloverleaf Interchange

Advantages

•Higher capacity for left turns

•Turning vehicles may not have to stop
•Easy flow of vehicles/ signs may not be required to prevent
wrong way entrance

Disadvantages
•Requires large Right – of – Way (ROW) area
•Weaving sections cause reduction in speeds

Other Types of Intersections 15

Partial Cloverleaf Interchange

Other Types of Intersections 16

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Semi-Directional Interchange

Chicago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 17
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Directional Interchange

LA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 18
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Directional Interchange

LA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 19
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Semi-Directional / Directional Interchanges

• Left turns are handled by semi-directional fly-over ramps

•Used for freeways or other intersections with major turning movements

•Where diamond or cloverleaf can not handle the larger volumes
•Advantages
•Allows higher LOS
•Higher speed left turn
•less weaving distance (sometimes none) (often none)

Disadvantages
•Large Structures
•Three levels or more
•High construction costs

Other Types of Intersections 20

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Combinations

http://whereroadsmeet.8k.com/article/clover.htm
Other Types of Intersections 21
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Trumpet Interchange

Netherlands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_(road)
Other Types of Intersections 22
Design Considerations
“The design of interchanges must be coordinated with the design of the mainline. The
design process consists of the following:
1. a preliminary design to set the locations of the ramps
2. a calculation of ramp and intersection capacity
3. a check of the design geometrics to ensure adequate sight distances
4. a preliminary design inspection to make sure all concepts are feasible

http://www.sddot.com/pe/Roaddesign/docs/rdmanual/rdmch13.pdf

Other Types of Intersections 23

Design Considerations
Geometrics of Ramps exits and entrances include:
1. Acceleration Length at Entrance Terminals
2. Deceleration length at Exit Terminals
3. Weaving Lengths
4. Design of Gore Area
5. Design of Horizontal Alignment, Vertical Alignment, Cross-
Section

http://www.sddot.com/pe/Roaddesign/docs/rdmanual/rdmch13.pdf

Other Types of Intersections 24

Design Considerations: Acceleration Length for Entrance

TAC /AASHTO Design Guidelines

Other Types of Intersections 25
Design Considerations: Deceleration Length for Exit

TAC/AASHTO Design Guidelines

Other Types of Intersections 26
Design Considerations: Weaving Length

TAC Guidelines

Other Types of Intersections 27

Design Considerations: Gore Area and Speed Transition
Zone on Exit Ramps

http://www.sddot.com/pe/Roaddesign/docs/rdmanual/rdmch13.pdf
Other Types of Intersections 28
Other Types of Intersections 29