Safer right turns added at Kelowna intersections
-
Share on Facebook
-
Share on Twitter
- Copy Link
The City of Kelowna is adding “Smart Right Turns” at a number of intersections this year. The design change improves sight lines for drivers so they can merge safely while keeping an eye out for pedestrians.
A “Smart Channel” design forces the vehicle to enter the cross street at a sharper angle. This reduces the turning radius, which causes drivers to slow down to complete the turn. The sharper entry angle also means that more of the intersection and cross street is within the driver’s immediate cone of vision. As a result, the driver does not need to do a sharp left shoulder check, which simplifies the turn. The layout also positions crossing pedestrians more directly in the line of sight of oncoming vehicles, which increases their visibility for drivers.
“This is a great example of the evolution of traffic safety,” Chad Williams, Transportation Planning Engineer, said. “This geometric reconfiguration of right turn channels improves sightlines and simplifies the turning movement, reducing collisions.”
Williams added ICBC contributes funding to road improvement projects, each year, that reduce collisions, $170,000 invested in Kelowna projects last year.
