The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened a series of signalized Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersections on August 15, 2022. The innovative traffic movements are located along Apopka-Vineland Road (State Road 535) from south of International Drive to south of Hotel Plaza Boulevard in Orlando.
In addition, diagonal crosswalks have been added for pedestrians and bicyclists to avoid the path of vehicles turning left onto side streets and right from side streets. The RCUT design is located at the following intersections: Vistana Drive, Vistana Centre Drive/Blue, Heron Beach Drive, Meadow Creek Drive/Lake Vining Drive, and Chick-fil-A/Holiday Inn driveway. The new design will provide dedicated right turns, and designated U-turns.
Signalized RCUT intersections require vehicles wanting to turn left or continue straight from a side street to first, turn right. Vehicles can then make a U-turn at the designated median opening. The design also incorporates synchronized traffic signals, so drivers using the U-turn can still move through the intersection quickly.
The RCUT design has proven successful across the United States, enhancing safety by reducing vehicle conflicts – vehicles that can legally cross paths and potentially collide. This innovative design also improves traffic flow by reducing travel time through the intersection and accommodating a higher number of vehicles simultaneously. In addition, diagonal crosswalks keep pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the street, out of the path of vehicles turning left onto side streets and right from side streets.
The $9.3 Million project also includes operational and safety enhancements which include closing sidewalk gaps, improving pedestrian features to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, extending turn lanes, bus stops, and bicycle lanes, analyzing, and retimed traffic signals, new lighting, and upgraded signage and pavement markings.
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT District Five Communications Office at [email protected] or by phone at 386-943-5593.
