Intersection (road)
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In the field of road transport, an intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade (they are at the same level). Such a road junction may also be called a crossroads. A junction between 3 road segments (arms) is a T junction (two arms form one road) or a Y-junction.
Types of intersections
Types of intersections include:
- Uncontrolled intersections, without signs or signals (or sometimes with a warning sign). On a 4-way intersection traffic from the right has priority; on a 3-way intersection rules may vary by country: either traffic from the right has priority again, or traffic on the continuing road. For traffic coming from the same or opposite direction, that which goes straight has priority over that which turns off.
- Yield-controlled intersections may or may not have specific "YIELD" signs (known as "GIVE WAY" signs in some countries).
- Stop-controlled intersections have one or more "STOP" signs. Two-way and four-way stops are common.
- Signal-controlled intersections depend on traffic signals, usually electric, which indicate which traffic has the right-of-way at any particular time.
- A traffic circle is a type of intersection at which traffic streams are directed around a circle. Types of traffic circles include roundabouts, 'mini-roundabouts', 'rotaries', "STOP"-controlled circles, and signal-controlled circles. Some people consider roundabouts to be a distinct type of intersection from traffic circles (with the distinction based on certain differences in size and engineering).
- A box junction can be added to an intersection, generally prohibiting entry to the intersection unless the exit is clear.
- While not a specific type of intersection, the US state of Michigan frequently employs a special arrangement for making left turns, known as a Michigan left. These are generally used in conjunction with signal-controlled intersections, although it can also apply to stop-controlled intersections.
See also
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
[Special]
| Types of road junction | |
| Interchanges (grade separated) | Cloverleaf - Diamond - Directional T - Diverging diamond Parclo - Trumpet - SPUI - Stack |
| Intersections (at-grade) | Box junction - Continuous flow - Crossroads - Hook turn Jughandle - Michigan left - Roundabout - 3-way junction - Traffic circle |
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