Restricted Crossing U-Turn
Innovative Intersections
Source: Google Earth. Bandera Road at FM 1560, San Antonio, TX. RCUT with offset side roads.
What is an RCUT?
A Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection is an innovative traffic design that redirects minor road left-turn and through movements to a downstream U-turn. This design reduces conflict points, improving safety and operational efficiency.
RCUT intersections may be signalized or unsignalized depending on traffic volumes and site context.
Figure 14-17: Example of RCUT Intersection with Stop-Control
Source: FHWA RCUT Informational Guide
Figure 14-16: Example of RCUT Intersection with Signals
Source: FHWA RCUT Informational Guide
Source: TxDOT Roadway Design Manual
Design principles
The following design principles characterize RCUTs:
- Major road through, right, and left turn movements remain unchanged.
- Minor road maintains right turn movements. Through and left turn movements are redirected to right turn with a downstream U-turn crossover.
Design characteristics
RCUTs are a flexible intersection treatment with common characteristics shared across all sites. Some RCUTs may have additional site-specific features.
- Common to all RCUTs: Main road makes all movements at intersection with minor road. Minor road makes right turns only.
- Common to all RCUTs: Downstream U-turn movements at median crossovers for minor road left and through movements.
- Site dependent: Other U-turn lanes and wide medians are designed for large trucks and trailers.
- Site dependent:Signalized or unsignalized
- Site dependent:Pedestrian facilities
Restricted crossing U-Turn (RCUT)
Learn more about RCUT basics and conflict points
Download RCUT Fact SheetWhat are the benefits of RCUTs?
Enhanced safety
Reduced number of conflict points.
- RCUT intersections reduce fatalities and injuries by 63% by reducing the number of crossing-type conflict points.
- RCUT intersections reduce crossing-type conflict points from 16 at a conventional intersection to 2, eliminating many severe crash opportunities.
Sources: FHWA (above), FHWA (below)
| Conflict points | Conventional intersection | RCUT |
| Diverging | 8 | 6 |
| Merging | 6 | 6 |
| Crossing | 16 | 2 |
| Total | 32 | 14 |
Operational performance
RCUT intersections improve traffic flow by rerouting minor road left and thru movements to make a right turn followed by a U-turn downstream. By rerouting traffic to make right turns only from the minor road, those drivers are able to take advantage of smaller gaps in traffic than if they had to make a crossing maneuver across multiple lanes of the main roadway. These changes result in up to a 30% increase in intersection throughput and a 40% decrease in intersection delay.
Source: FHWA
How to drive an RCUT
Figure 14-19: Spacing Consideration for a Minor Street Through or Left Movement
Source: FHWA RCUT Informational Guide
Steps
- Vehicle safely enters the main road by turning right.
- Vehicle changes lanes on the main road to maneuver to the median crossover.
- Vehicles follow traffic controls at the median crossover to make a U-turn. Traffic controls may include traffic signals, stop, or yield signs.
- Vehicle turns right at the upcoming cross street or continues straight through the intersection.
Where can I find additional design support?
As a supplement to TxDOT’s Roadway Design Manual Chapter 14, the Restricted Crossing U-turn Intersections Design Aid offers additional decision-making and design guidance.
Have design question about RCUTs?
TxDOT’s Design Division is available to support implementation with resources for peer reviews, ICE reviews, training, and more.
Ask for Support