Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012.pdf - Fietsberaad

DESIGNING THE CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE
SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS
Signalized intersections are often established to
improve traffic flows, road safety and security.
When cross traffic streams are separated by
timing intervals, the likelihood of crossing
collisions is reduced. On the other hand a traffic
signal means a concentrated time interval of
conflict between turning road users and road
users that are going straight ahead, which is
usually not resolved by regulating the signal. 9.59
The typical cyclist casualty in signalized
intersections involves left turning and right
turning cars and crossing collisions when cyclists
cross on red. Signalization has a highly favourable
impact on safety outside the intersection; in
urban areas the beneficial effect is approx. 1.5
times greater than the benefit in the intersection
itself. 9.60
Cyclist visibility partly depends on the geometric
and visual size of the intersection. Parked cars
and waiting buses near the intersection may
reduce cyclist visibility.
Right turn/left turn arrows for motor
vehicles
At intersections without a separate cyclist signal,
cyclists have to use the motor vehicle signal. Arrow
signals apply to all road users who wish to travel in
the direction the arrow indicates. According to the
Road Traffic Act, however, cyclists in Denmark may
not follow the motorists’ left turn arrow since they
have to turn left in two phases: first they have to
proceed to the opposite corner of the intersection
and only then may they complete their left turn
when it can be done without inconveniencing
other traffic, independently of whether the signal
is green or red. 9.61 This rule is not commonly
Separate left turn phase for cyclists while cyclists going straight merely observe the
give-way rules.
known, however, which is why cyclists need space
at the intersection’s corners where they can wait
for the green signal.
Cyclist signals
At intersections where cycle tracks or cycle lanes
continue to the stop line, a separate cyclist signal
may be installed. In this way cyclists have their
own signal phase, wholly or partially. Cyclist
signals can be used for pre-green for cyclists
several seconds before motor vehicles. This gives
cyclists who have been waiting for red a head
start in relation to motor vehicles, rendering them
more visible. The aim is to reduce the number of
conflicts between motorists and cyclists.
In addition, cyclist signals are used to shorten
the green phase for cyclists in order to make the
intersection more easily passable for motor traffic.
In intersections with separate cyclist signals cyclists
must always observe the cyclist signal.
Pre-green for cyclists may reduce the number of accidents occurring in the initial part of the green phase.
When an intersection has a compulsory left turn
signal for motor traffic, the number of accidents
between left turning motorists and on coming
cyclists in major intersections with many traffic
lanes is reduced.
93