14.14 Partial Cloverleaf Interchange
A partial cloverleaf interchange is a standard cloverleaf interchange without ramps in all four quadrants. Partial cloverleaf interchanges can be used when site constraints limit the number of loops at the interchange. At-grade railroads, limited ROW availability, and water features are a few of the typical constraints that result in a partial cloverleaf interchange.
Advantages of partial cloverleaf interchanges consist of:
- Accommodating a heavy frequency movement from one freeway to another freeway with free-flow operations;
- The absence of third-party control devices to facilitate the transfer of vehicles from one roadway to another; and
- Driver familiarity due to the use of cloverleaf interchanges throughout the U.S.
One disadvantage of a partial, or full cloverleaf interchange, is the vast footprint required to incorporate the looping connections to and from the overlapping roadways. In lieu of cloverleaf interchange design, direct connectors and/or conventional diamond interchanges are more common in Texas in urban areas due to the benefits of a slightly reduced ROW footprint need and the accommodation of continuous frontage road. Rural areas see more cloverleaf installations where ROW may be more available. See
for an example of a partial cloverleaf interchange directional routing as compared to a full cloverleaf interchange routing.
Figure 14-57: Partial and Full Cloverleaf
Source: FHWA Office of Safety